Virtual Cardio ICU Course

 

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:

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

Michelle Paton MACP

Wendy Chaseling MACP

Course Intended Learning Outcomes

Course Timetable

Day 1 Outline
Time
Topic
Presenter

8.50am - 9.00am

Registration Technical support if required

 

9.00 am–9.15 am

Welcome Presenter introductions Overview of course

Chair – Wendy Chaseling MACP Michelle Paton MACP Dr Peter Thomas FACP

9.15 am–10.15 am

A systems approach to assessment and ICU equipment (abridged)

Michelle Paton MACP

10.15 am–10.45 am

Morning Tea

 

10.45 am–11.30 pm

Medications in ICU

Wendy Chaseling MACP

11.30am-12.30pm

Mechanical ventilation refresher

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

12.30pm-1.15pm

Lunch

1.15pm-1.45pm

COVID-19 and medical management

Michelle Paton MACP

1.45pm-2.30pm

COVID-19 Physiotherapy Guidelines

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

2.30pm-3.00pm

Afternoon Tea

3.00pm-4.00pm

Oxygen therapy including high flow oxygen therapy

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

4.00pm-4.50 pm

Non-invasive ventilation

Michelle Paton MACP

4.50pm-5.00pm

Summary of Day 1 Day 2 Agenda Thank You

Wendy Chaseling MACP

 

Day 2 Outline
Time
Topic
Presenter

8.50am - 9.00am

Registration Technical support if required

 

9.00am-9.10am

Welcome Presenter introductions Recap of day 1 Day 2 Agenda

Chair - Wendy Chaseling MACP Michelle Paton MACP Dr Peter Thomas FACP

9.15 am–10.15 am

Respiratory Physiotherapy in the ICU

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

10.15 am–10.45 am

Morning Tea

 

10.45am-11.45am

Hyperinflation techniques

Michelle Paton MACP

11.45am-12.30pm

Advanced ventilation and management techniques for ARDS

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

12.30pm-1.15pm

Lunch

1.15pm-1.35pm

Positioning

Dr Peter Thomas FACP

1.35pm-1.50pm

Prone positioning

Michelle Paton MACP

1.50pm-2.30pm

Weaning from mechanical ventilation

Wendy Chaseling MACP

2.30pm-3.00pm

Tracheostomy management

Michelle Paton MACP

3.00pm-3.30pm

Afternoon Tea

3.30pm-4.00pm

PPE

Wendy Chaseling MACP

4.00pm-4.30 pm

Exercise and mobilization in ICU

Michelle Paton MACP

4.30pm-4.55pm

COVID patient case study

Wendy Chaseling MACP

4.55pm-5.00pm

Summary Access the recording and resources Thank You

Wendy Chaseling MACP

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