COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Supporting Individuals with Oxygen Therapy Needs course. This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals requiring oxygen therapy effectively. Oxygen therapy is a vital intervention for many individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions, enhancing their quality of life and enabling them to maintain independence. This course will explore the purpose, importance, and best practices for oxygen management in disability support, ensuring participant safety, comfort, and well-being.
A fundamental understanding of the respiratory and cardiac systems is essential for providing effective oxygen therapy. You will learn about the anatomy and physiology of these systems, their roles in oxygen transport, and how their interconnection impacts overall health. This knowledge forms the basis for understanding the care needs of individuals relying on oxygen therapy.
The process of gas exchange in the lungs is central to oxygen therapy. This section will examine how oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged, the factors that can affect this process, and the consequences of impaired gas exchange on health. This understanding will help you provide care that supports efficient respiratory function.
Oxygen therapy is often required for conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), sleep apnoea, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). You will gain insights into these conditions and learn how oxygen therapy addresses their specific challenges, enhancing participant outcomes.
Home oxygen therapy presents unique benefits and challenges. This section will guide you in adapting home environments for safe and effective therapy, collaborating with healthcare providers to support participants, and addressing common concerns related to home oxygen use.
Understanding the equipment used in oxygen therapy is critical for providing effective support. You will explore the functions of oxygen concentrators, the types and uses of oxygen cylinders, and additional delivery devices such as nasal cannulas and masks. Proper equipment management ensures consistent and reliable oxygen delivery.
Oxygen safety is paramount in any care setting. This section will teach you key safety protocols for storing and using oxygen, preventing fires and hazards in oxygen-rich environments, and educating participants and families on maintaining safe practices.
Complications can arise during oxygen therapy, such as oxygen toxicity, skin irritation, and nasal dryness. You will learn to recognise and manage these issues promptly, ensuring participant comfort and safety.
Plans and prescriptions guide oxygen therapy to meet individual needs. This section will help you understand prescribed oxygen flow rates, align therapy with medical recommendations, and collaborate with healthcare teams to develop and implement personalised care plans.
Legal considerations underpin all aspects of oxygen therapy. You will gain an understanding of consent, confidentiality, and duty of care requirements, along with documentation and reporting obligations to ensure ethical and professional care.
Adherence to NDIS Practice Standards is essential for disability support workers. This section will cover how to incorporate NDIS standards into daily care practices, meet monitoring and reporting requirements, and maintain high-quality care for participants using oxygen therapy.
Infection control is crucial for maintaining hygiene in oxygen management. You will learn techniques for cleaning and disinfecting equipment, preventing cross-contamination, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively to uphold hygiene standards.
Oxygen therapy can have a significant emotional and psychological impact on participants and their families. You will explore strategies to address anxiety, encourage participant involvement in care plans, and provide educational and emotional support to families and caregivers.
Monitoring and documenting oxygen therapy ensures that care remains effective and responsive. This section will guide you in recording oxygen saturation levels, identifying variations in participant health, and updating care plans based on observations and feedback.
For participants with mobility needs, oxygen therapy presents unique challenges. You will learn to adapt mobility aids for oxygen equipment, manage oxygen requirements during outings, and promote safety while encouraging independence.
Cultural sensitivity is essential in providing inclusive care. This section will help you understand cultural perspectives on medical interventions, respect participant preferences and beliefs, and deliver culturally responsive oxygen therapy.
Emergency preparedness is vital for supporting oxygen therapy users. You will learn to recognise and respond to respiratory emergencies, manage equipment malfunctions or power failures, and communicate effectively with emergency services to ensure participant safety.
Finally, evaluating and improving oxygen therapy outcomes ensures continuous improvement in participant care. This section will teach you how to review therapy effectiveness, incorporate feedback from participants and families, and collaborate with healthcare teams to make necessary adjustments to care plans.
By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to provide safe, effective, and compassionate support for individuals requiring oxygen therapy, enhancing their quality of life while adhering to best practices and professional standards.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Oxygen Management
- Definition and Purpose of Oxygen Therapy
- Importance of Oxygen Management in Disability Support
2. The Respiratory and Cardiac Systems
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System
- Role of the Cardiac System in Oxygen Transport
- Interconnection Between Respiratory and Cardiac Health
3. Gas Exchange
- The Process of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange in the Lungs
- Factors Affecting Effective Gas Exchange
- Impact of Impaired Gas Exchange on Overall Health
4. Common Conditions That Require Oxygen Support
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Sleep Apnoea and Hypoxaemia
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Other Conditions
5. Home Oxygen Therapy
- Benefits and Challenges of Home Oxygen Use
- Adapting Home Environments for Oxygen Therapy
- Collaborating with Healthcare Providers for Home Support
6. Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen Cylinders, and Other Equipment
- Functions and Features of Oxygen Concentrators
- Types and Usage of Oxygen Cylinders
- Overview of Additional Oxygen Delivery Devices
7. Oxygen Safety
- Key Safety Protocols for Storing and Using Oxygen
- Preventing Fires and Other Hazards in Oxygen-Rich Environments
- Educating Participants and Families on Oxygen Safety Practices
8. Complications of Oxygen Therapy
- Recognising and Managing Oxygen Toxicity
- Identifying and Addressing Skin Irritation from Devices
- Preventing and Managing Dryness and Nasal Irritation
9. Plans and Prescriptions for Oxygen Therapy
- Understanding Oxygen Flow Rates and Prescribed Levels
- Aligning Therapy Plans with Medical Prescriptions
- Collaborating with Healthcare Teams for Individualised Plans
10. Legal Considerations
- Adhering to Consent and Confidentiality Requirements
- Duty of Care in Oxygen Management
- Documentation and Reporting Obligations
11. NDIS Practice Standards for Oxygen Content
- Understanding NDIS Standards Related to Oxygen Therapy
- Incorporating Standards Into Daily Care Practices
- Monitoring and Reporting Requirements Under NDIS
12. Infection Control in Oxygen Therapy
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Oxygen Equipment
- Preventing Cross-Contamination During Oxygen Management
- Role of PPE in Maintaining Hygiene Standards
13. Emotional and Psychological Support for Participants
- Addressing Anxiety and Emotional Responses to Oxygen Therapy
- Encouraging Participation in Care Plans
- Supporting Families and Caregivers Through Education
14. Monitoring and Documenting Oxygen Therapy
- Recording Oxygen Saturation Levels and Therapy Progress
- Identifying and Reporting Variations in Participant Health
- Updating Care Plans Based on Observations
15. Supporting Participants with Mobility Needs During Oxygen Use
- Adapting Mobility Aids for Use with Oxygen Equipment
- Managing Oxygen Needs During Transfers and Outings
- Ensuring Safety While Promoting Independence
16. Cultural Sensitivity in Oxygen Therapy Care
- Understanding Cultural Views on Medical Interventions
- Respecting Participant Preferences and Beliefs
- Providing Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Care
17. Emergency Preparedness for Oxygen Users
- Recognising and Responding to Respiratory Emergencies
- Handling Equipment Malfunctions or Power Failures
- Communicating Effectively With Emergency Services
18. Evaluating and Improving Oxygen Therapy Outcomes
- Reviewing Therapy Effectiveness and Participant Well-Being
- Incorporating Feedback From Participants and Families
- Collaborating with Healthcare Teams for Plan Adjustments
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.