Partnership provides training to physios on the front line in the fight against COVID-19
Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and the NSW Ministry of Health and HETI are partnering to provide much-needed training to hospital physios working to combat COVID-19 and save lives.
As the world ramps up its response to the current health crisis, physiotherapists will be deployed to provide specialised care to patients with COVID-19. The training is developed by the APA’s leading intensive care cardiorespiratory physiotherapists.
Throughout the world, physiotherapists are providing vital support in the critical care environment, assisting patients with respiratory performance, weaning from ventilators and pulmonary rehab.
"Physios are already highly skilled in providing intensive care and respiratory support – we’re fine-tuning their skills to respond to this current crisis to ensure excellent patient care.” Says Phil Calvert, National President of the APA.
NSW Health and the Australian Physiotherapy Association have made this training available to the worldwide community.
Course Registration
The live session was run 28-29 March 2020 funded by the NSW Ministry of health for their physiotherapists. The webcast recording and resources are available free internationally.
Access the recordings and resources
NSW Health staff can access via My Health Learning
Course name: Physiotherapy Cardiorespiratory ICU training | Course Code : 291336554
Other Australian physiotherapists free through HETI-Moodle
Course name: Virtual Cardiorespiratory ICU Physiotherapy training
Course Description – Physiotherapy Virtual Cardiorespiratory ICU Update
The purpose is to provide physiotherapy staff with an update in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy practice for intensive care, and planning for potential roles of physiotherapy in the management of COVID-19 patients in this environment.
This two day virtual training course provides a refresher and update for physiotherapy staff working in ICUs with increasing cases of COVID-19 and ventilated patients. This course combines key topics from the APA Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Level 2 – ICU course and incorporates COVID19 respiratory management based on The Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) COVID-19 Guidelines and COVID 19: Respiratory Physiotherapy On Call Information and Guidance from NHS.
The virtual two-day course is the first part of a learning program, outlined below:
- Two day Virtual Cardiorespiratory ICU Physiotherapy Update course
- Post-course learning package - demonstration videos, guidelines, readings
- Individual learning - review your local protocols
- Practical component - in local settings
Course Eligibility
Training is best suited to base-mid grade physiotherapists who have prior skills and experience in Intensive Care Units / High Dependency Unit
Course Presenters
Leading fellows and members of the Australian College of Physiotherapists in intensive care will provide this training:
Course Intended Learning Outcomes
Course Timetable
8.50am - 9.00am
Registration Technical support if required
9.00 am–9.15 am
Welcome Presenter introductions Overview of course
9.15 am–10.15 am
A systems approach to assessment and ICU equipment (abridged)
10.15 am–10.45 am
Morning Tea
10.45 am–11.30 pm
Medications in ICU
11.30am-12.30pm
Mechanical ventilation refresher
12.30pm-1.15pm
Lunch
1.15pm-1.45pm
COVID-19 and medical management
1.45pm-2.30pm
COVID-19 Physiotherapy Guidelines
2.30pm-3.00pm
Afternoon Tea
3.00pm-4.00pm
Oxygen therapy including high flow oxygen therapy
4.00pm-4.50 pm
Non-invasive ventilation
4.50pm-5.00pm
Summary of Day 1 Day 2 Agenda Thank You
8.50am - 9.00am
Registration Technical support if required
9.00am-9.10am
Welcome Presenter introductions Recap of day 1 Day 2 Agenda
9.15 am–10.15 am
Respiratory Physiotherapy in the ICU
10.15 am–10.45 am
Morning Tea
10.45am-11.45am
Hyperinflation techniques
11.45am-12.30pm
Advanced ventilation and management techniques for ARDS
12.30pm-1.15pm
Lunch
1.15pm-1.35pm
Positioning
1.35pm-1.50pm
Prone positioning
1.50pm-2.30pm
Weaning from mechanical ventilation
2.30pm-3.00pm
Tracheostomy management
3.00pm-3.30pm
Afternoon Tea
3.30pm-4.00pm
PPE
4.00pm-4.30 pm
Exercise and mobilization in ICU
4.30pm-4.55pm
COVID patient case study
4.55pm-5.00pm
Summary Access the recording and resources Thank You
Course Costs
Funded by NSW Ministry of Health, there are no course costs.
For further information, please contact:
Hassan Kadous, Principal Allied Health Advisor, Workforce Planning & Talent Development Branch, NSW Ministry of Health Hassan.Kadous@health.nsw.gov.au
James Fitzpatrick, General Manager Education, Australian Physiotherapy Association James.fitzpatrick@australian.physio