Introduction to Critical Care

The module also enables you to call upon relevant literature and research to inform practice, provide competent and effective care, and function effectively as part of a multi-professional team.

Areas covered include:

• Concepts of critical care and caring for patients/clients in critical care and caring for patients in non-critical care settings; biological, pharmacological, psychological and social aspects of critical care.
• The role of the nurse within the critical care environment; drawing on a range of medical/surgical and neurological interventions and identifying appropriate nursing and therapeutic interventions, technological applications and best practice.
• The physical and emotional needs of the patients and their families will be explored within the context of a family centred approach to care.

On successful completion of the module you should be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy and physiology associated with disorders that can contribute to critical illness and acute deterioration.
• Draw upon evidence based practice to critically evaluate and reflect upon interventions used to support the acutely unwell adult and their significant others, within an ethico-legal and professional framework.
• Demonstrate competency in the holistic care of the critically ill patient and significant others.

You will need to complete a poster presentation critically analysing an aspect of high dependency care, and a booklet of high dependency competencies. Both of these elements need to be passed in order to pass the module.