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TECH136-1008 : ECG-Electrocardiography-Basic Interpretation, Module 1

INSTRUCTOR:
Dianne Hudson, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

DATES:
October 6-November 2, 2008
Real Time Sessions: Thursday evenings, October 9, 16, and 23, 2008; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is module 1 of a two part course designed to provide a basic knowledge of electrocardiograph (ECG) interpretation. Participants completing both modules of this course will be exposed to the basic elements of ECG interpretation (Lead II) including a review of the conduction system of the heart, the ECG/EKG waveform, normal rhythms and cardiac arrhythmias.

Dianne Hudson has been the veterinary technician supervisor of Oklahoma State University's Veterinary School Intensive Care Unit for several years in addition to over 15 years working in and with the anesthesia department. Dianne has had the pleasure of teaching ECG interpretation in a small group setting of a private practice, as a guest lecturer for Murray State College and OSU-OKC veterinary technician programs as well as lecturing as far away as Germany for the European Based Army Veterinary Technicians as well on VSPN CE.

Module 1 consists of three (3) real time interactive sessions of ninety (90) minutes each covering discussion of situations; homework reinforcing the handouts and real time sessions; interactive message boards to discuss the real time sessions and homework; and an online final exam. In addition, multiple choice homework quizzes will be given online each week; the goal of the homework is to test the participant's knowledge of the material covered discussed in each session and presented in the handouts.

All members of the veterinary support staff may join the course and its discussions; however, this course is focused toward veterinary technicians and veterinary technician students. Module 1 and Module 2 should both be taken to insure a complete basic understanding of ECG interpretation in the anesthesia, emergency and critical care patient.

Upon completion of this course participants will be able to identify and discuss

Overall Goal: Describe and discuss the components of the ECG waveform and its origin.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts for this course; however, the instructor recommends the following:

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Circulation and the Conduction System
Content: We will start this module with coverage of the anatomy of the heart, movement of blood, and the conduction system including the properties of the cardiac muscle. We will also begin discussion of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and its significance in veterinary medicine.

Week 2: Recording ECG
Content: This week we cover ECG lead placement, patient handling, and how to minimize artifacts. We'll look at ECG paper and standardization (What do all those boxes mean?) and learn how to calculate the heart rate as well as amplitude significance on the wave forms.

Week 3: What's normal for our canine and feline patients?
Content: We will start applying what we have learned about the ECG by looking at normal ECG recordings (especially heart rates and waveforms) for canine and feline patients and begin to compare them to abnormal recordings. Specifically, we will review normal sinus rhythms and normal variations such as sinus arrhythmia and sinus tachycardia.

LIBRARY MATERIALS: Library materials will be made available prior to the topic week so participants will have plenty of time to prepare for the real time sessions and discussion.

MESSAGE BOARD DISCUSSIONS: Message board discussions regarding the topic presented will begin on the day the course opens and continue for one week following the last real time session. These discussions will be held in the VSPN CE course area.

CE HOURS: 4.5

TUITION:
$88 ($79 early bird special if enrolled before September 22, 2008).
*Enroll in both ECG Modules before October 9, 2008 and receive a 15% discount off the regular tuition price.
*Students currently enrolled in and taking at least 2 classes or 5 units at an AVMA accredited or CAAHT approved Veterinary Technician Program may be eligible to receive a 50% discount off the regular rate for this course (upon verification of student status). You must include the following information in the comments section of the CE enrollment form in order to be eligible for this discount: your program director's name and contact information (email/phone) and school name.

** NOTE: Registration will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session.

For More Information on how our online CE courses work please read the following:

TO REGISTER:
  1. Each person must individually be a registered member of VSPN (www.vspn.org). Membership in VSPN is free.
  2. To enroll in any VSPN CE course click on the ENROLL NOW link below the course title on the right side of the page at www.vspn.org/CE
  3. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. This is our major form of communication with participants. It is highly recommended that course participants use their own, personal emails rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  4. VIN Member veterinarians SHOULD NOT register for their staff. Please have the staff member register through VSPN. Please email VSPNCE@vspn.org if you have questions.
Note: "This course has been approved for continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval; however participants should be aware that some boards have limitations on the number of hours accepted in certain categories and/or restrictions on certain methods of delivery of continuing education. Call VSPN CE at 1-800-700-4636 for further information." (Attendees are encouraged to check with their licensing jurisdiction(s) for information regarding recognition by their board).
COURSE WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND POLICY: Withdrawal prior to the listed start date of a course entitles the registrant to a complete refund or a credit toward a future VSPN or VIN CE course, whichever is preferred. Withdrawal within 1 week after the listed start date (i.e. including no more than one real-time session) entitles the registrant to a credit toward any future VIN CE course. (Does not apply to courses with only one real-time session.) After the first real-time session, a registrant may withdraw due to special circumstances and receive prorated credit towards a future VIN course. These requests will be handled on an individual basis. The amount of the prorated credit will be determined based on 65% of the time remaining in the course at the time of withdrawal. It is not possible to withdraw retroactively.
Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).
** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out http://www.VSPN.org/CE

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & CE Coordinator
VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950, ext 187

Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org), ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
VSPN CE Services
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-297-4950

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