COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Supporting Individuals Requiring Mechanical Ventilation course. This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for individuals requiring mechanical ventilation.
Mechanical ventilation is a critical intervention for participants with respiratory insufficiencies or failure, and its management demands specialised knowledge and attentiveness. This course explores the purpose, processes, and best practices for ensuring safe, effective, and compassionate care.
A thorough understanding of the respiratory system is essential in ventilation management. You will gain insights into the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, the mechanics of breathing, and the process of gas exchange. This foundation will help you understand how mechanical ventilation supports respiratory function and the significance of its role in participant care.
Mechanical ventilation is often required for individuals experiencing respiratory failure. This section will examine the types and causes of respiratory failure, including Type I (hypoxemic) and Type II (hypercapnic), as well as the indicators for initiating mechanical ventilation. You will learn to differentiate between short-term and long-term ventilation needs and adapt your support strategies accordingly.
Developing a comprehensive healthcare plan aligned with NDIS Practice Standards is critical for participants requiring ventilation. This section will guide you in creating individualised care plans, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards to deliver high-quality support.
Understanding ventilator parameters and monitoring is key to ensuring optimal respiratory care. You will explore ventilator modes such as volume and pressure control, learn about key settings and their functions, and gain skills in monitoring and adjusting ventilator parameters to meet participants’ needs.
Airway management is integral to ventilation care. You will learn to recognise signs of airway obstruction or mucus build-up, perform suctioning using safe techniques, and manage participant comfort during these procedures to maintain airway patency and reduce distress.
Infection control is a critical aspect of ventilation management. This section will focus on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), maintaining hygiene during equipment handling, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) effectively to safeguard participant health.
Legal considerations are central to ventilation care. You will gain an understanding of your duty of care, consent and confidentiality requirements, and the importance of accurate documentation and reporting. Adhering to these principles ensures ethical and professional practice.
Proper use and maintenance of ventilation equipment are essential for ensuring reliability and safety. You will learn about the types of ventilators, their uses, cleaning and maintenance protocols, and troubleshooting common equipment issues to minimise disruptions in care.
Emergencies in ventilation care require immediate and informed responses. This section will teach you to recognise signs of respiratory distress or equipment failure, provide timely interventions, and communicate effectively with emergency responders to ensure participant safety.
Participants requiring ventilation support often face unique mobility challenges. You will learn how to adapt mobility aids, manage ventilation equipment during transfers and outings, and promote independence while maintaining equipment safety.
The psychological and emotional impact of ventilation can be significant. This section will guide you in addressing anxiety and emotional reactions, supporting participants in adjusting to long-term ventilation, and providing reassurance to families and caregivers.
Cultural sensitivity is vital in providing equitable and inclusive care. You will explore cultural perspectives on medical interventions, learn to respect participant beliefs and preferences, and build trust through inclusive and respectful communication.
Nutrition and hydration are crucial for ventilated participants. This section will address how to support nutritional needs through enteral feeding when necessary, prevent dehydration, and monitor the effects of dietary practices on respiratory health.
Monitoring and documenting ventilation care activities ensure that care remains effective and responsive. You will learn to record key ventilation parameters, identify and report changes in participant health, and use documentation to inform and update care plans.
Long-term ventilation support presents unique challenges. This section will guide you in addressing these considerations, supporting participants in managing their ongoing needs, and planning for equipment upgrades or replacements.
Transitioning between ventilation settings or weaning off mechanical ventilation requires careful planning and support. You will learn to recognise when transitions are appropriate, collaborate with healthcare teams, and provide emotional support to participants during these changes.
Finally, evaluating and improving ventilation care outcomes ensures continuous improvement. You will learn to review care plans, gather feedback from participants and families, and incorporate best practices to enhance care quality and participant outcomes.
By the end of this course, you will have the expertise and confidence to provide high-quality care for individuals requiring mechanical ventilation, ensuring their safety, comfort, and dignity while adhering to professional and regulatory 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 Ventilation Management
- Definition and Purpose of Mechanical Ventilation
- Common Conditions Requiring Ventilation Support
2. The Respiratory System and Ventilation
- Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System
- Mechanics of Breathing and Gas Exchange
- How Ventilation Supports Respiratory Function
3. Respiratory Failure and Ventilation
- Types and Causes of Respiratory Failure (Type I and II)
- Indicators for Mechanical Ventilation
- Short-Term vs Long-Term Ventilation Needs
4. The Health Care Plan & NDIS Practice Standards
- Developing Individualised Ventilation Care Plans
- Aligning Care Plans with NDIS Practice Standards
- Collaborating with Multidisciplinary Teams
5. Ventilator Parameters and Monitoring
- Understanding Ventilator Modes
- Key Ventilator Settings and Their Functions
- Monitoring and Adjusting Ventilator Parameters
6. Recognising the Need for Suctioning
- Identifying Signs of Airway Obstruction or Mucus Build-up
- Safe Techniques for Performing Suctioning
- Managing Participant Comfort During Suctioning
7. Infection Control
- Preventing Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP)
- Maintaining Hygiene During Equipment Handling
- Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Appropriately
8. Legal Considerations
- Consent and Confidentiality in Ventilation Support
- Adhering to Duty of Care and Scope of Practice
- Documentation and Reporting Requirements
9. Ventilation Equipment and Maintenance
- Types of Ventilators and Their Uses
- Cleaning and Maintenance of Ventilation Equipment
- Troubleshooting Common Equipment Issues
10. Emergency Management in Ventilation Care
- Recognising Signs of Respiratory Distress or Equipment Failure
- Providing Immediate Support During Ventilation Emergencies
- Communicating Effectively With Emergency Responders
11. Supporting Participants with Mobility Needs
- Adapting Mobility Aids for Participants on Ventilation
- Managing Ventilation Support During Transfers and Outings
- Promoting Safe Independence While Ensuring Equipment Safety
12. Psychological and Emotional Impact of Ventilation
- Addressing Anxiety and Emotional Reactions to Ventilation Support
- Supporting Participants in Adjusting to Long-Term Ventilation
- Providing Emotional Support to Families and Caregivers
13. Cultural Sensitivity in Ventilation Support
- Understanding Cultural Views on Medical Interventions
- Respecting Participant Preferences and Beliefs
- Building Trust Through Inclusive Communication
14. Nutrition and Hydration for Ventilated Participants
- Addressing Nutritional Needs for Participants Unable to Eat Normally
- Supporting Enteral Feeding When Necessary
- Monitoring for Dehydration and Its Effects on Respiratory Health
15. Monitoring and Documenting Ventilation Support
- Recording Key Ventilation Parameters and Observations
- Identifying and Reporting Changes in Participant Health
- Updating Care Plans Based on Documentation
16. Long-Term Ventilation Support and Care
- Challenges and Considerations for Long-Term Ventilation Use
- Supporting Participants in Managing Their Ventilation Needs
- Planning for Equipment Upgrades or Replacements
17. Transitioning Between Ventilation Settings
- Recognising When to Wean Off Mechanical Ventilation
- Collaborating With Healthcare Teams During Transitions
- Supporting Participants Emotionally During the Process
18. Evaluating and Improving Ventilation Care Outcomes
- Reviewing Care Plans for Effectiveness
- Gathering Feedback From Participants and Families
- Incorporating Best Practices and Updates in Ventilation Care
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”.