TECH182-0210 : Feeding Tubes-Complications and Maintenance

INSTRUCTOR:
Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM)

DATES:
February 1-February 21, 2010
Real Time Sessions: Friday evenings, February 5 and 12, 2010; 8:00pm-9:30pm ET (USA)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
You have finally gotten a feeding tube in that anorexic patient. What challenges are yet in store for you? This course will cover typical management issues as well as common complications of feeding tubes. Participants will learn how to treat and more importantly how to avoid many of these issues encountered in feeding tube use. This course will also utilize an interactive session to work through actual cases, set up feeding plans and address common complications.

Ann Wortinger is a published author and has specialty certification in both Emergency Critical Care and Small Animal Internal Medicine. Her experience in general, emergency and specialty practices, as well as an educator at Wayne State University's Veterinary Technology Program provides solid experience in understanding and instituting nutritional support for patients. She has trained other technicians in nutritional support in a number of venues over the years as well as managed over 400 animals with feeding tubes.

The course will be presented in two (2) 90 minute real time interactive live sessions and will include online handouts, quizzes, and message board discussion interaction with both the instructor and other course participants. The course is geared toward veterinary technicians, especially those working with critical care patients. Participants should already have a strong grasp of basic nutrition and disease processes.

Upon completion of this course participants should be able to

• calculate the caloric needs of the patient utilizing a feeding tube and set up a feeding schedule.
• detect common complications associated with feeding tube use and develop nursing plans to ensure appropriate correction.
• develop home care protocols and counsel clients in care of patients with feeding tubes.

TEXTBOOKS: There are no required texts for this course.

COURSE OUTLINE:

Week 1: Introduction to Feeding Tube Management and Complications
Content: In this session we will discuss types of tubes, indications for use, complications, drug-nutrient interactions and medical management of feeding tubes. There will also be a feeding tube calculation handout in the library to assist in setting up a patient's schedule and amount to be fed.

Week 2: Case Studies
Content: The second real time session will be an interactive session involving setting up a feeding protocol, instituting the feeding protocol and management of common complications. Several case scenarios will be presented in this session.

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: 3

TUITION:
$60 ($54 early bird special if registered before January 18, 2010).
*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: Enrollment will be closed when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first real time session

**The Participant's Resource Center includes all you need to know about online CE with VIN and VSPN.

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 submitted for approval of 3 continuing education credits 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).

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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).

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** 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

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881
Charlotte Waack (Charlotte@vspn.org); ext 193
Chris Upchurch (Chris@vspn.org); ext 197
Darci Palmer (Darci@vspn.org); ext 179
Debbie Bess (DBess@vspn.org); ext 178
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

[ CE MAIN | COURSE CATALOG | RACE/GETTING CREDITS | ONLINE CE HOW TO | SUGGEST A COURSE | VIN MAIN ]

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