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TECH177-0112: Fundamentals of Small Animal Anesthesia Module 1

INSTRUCTOR(S): Darci Palmer, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia) and Brenda Feller, CVT, RVT, VTS (Anesthesia)

COURSE OPEN: January 3-February 10, 2012

REAL TIME SESSIONS (RTS): Tuesdays, January 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2012; 9:00pm-10:30pm ET (USA)
*please note the session times
Course RTS Times in Your Area: World Clock Converter
Practice Sessions: In order to prepare you for a successful experience in your CE course, we request you attend a practice session prior to the first Real Time Session. Times and dates will be listed in your course confirmation email. Expect to spend up to 1 hour at one of the 2-4 practice sessions held prior to the first Real Time Session.

* The instructors for this course will be using audio which will require you to have a headset or speakers to listen. If you have any concerns regarding your computer's audio capabilities, please be sure to attend a Practice Session.

Level and Prerequisites: This intermediate course is focused towards the technician who routinely deals with anesthesia case management. Veterinarians are highly encouraged to enroll with their veterinary technicians to work as a team in anesthesia. Module 1 is a prerequisite for Module 2 to help insure a complete understanding of the basic principles of anesthesia before learning how to develop an anesthesia protocol. These modules are approved CE for those applicants applying for their VTS (Anesthesia).
VSPN CE Course. This course is RACE approved for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Course Description:
This is module 1 of a 2 module course designed to provide the foundation principles of canine and feline anesthesia. The series will present a systematic approach to anesthesia case management starting with the basic essentials in module 1 and ending with anesthetic complications in module 2. Module 1 will focus on becoming familiar with the anesthesia machine parts and their functions; the importance of airway management; common monitoring modalities and how to interpret the values; and pre-operative considerations for the patient. At the end of the series the participant should feel more comfortable with the equipment and monitoring devices used during anesthesia and will be prepared to collaborate with their veterinarian on the development of an anesthesia protocol that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the patient.

Module 1 consists of four (4) ninety minute (90) Real Time Sessions covering discussion of situations, supplemental library materials, interactive message board discussions, a mandatory end-of-course test, and may include online multiple choice quizzes (after each Real Time Session). Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to be considered for a course certificate of completion.
** The lecture portion of this course will combine both text and audio presentation. Please be prepared to listen.

Upon completion of this course will be able to discuss and interpret

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.

Required Texbook(s): There are no required textbooks for this course.

About the Instructors: Darci Palmer has been working specifically in anesthesia since 2001. The majority of her experience comes from working in a university setting where her primary duties are to assist in the instruction of 4th year veterinary students during their anesthesia rotation. Brenda Feller developed an interest in anesthesia as a student at Michigan State University. After graduation she worked in a general practice for a few years before moving on to the Anesthesia Department at the University of Illinois Veterinary College. Here she honed her skills and anesthesia became a passion. She has furthered her interest at a specialty practice where her main focus has been anesthesia and pain management. In addition to her VSPN duties she is also a featured speaker on the topic of anesthesia at a variety of veterinary conferences in the US and Canada.

Course Outline:
Week 1 (Real Time Session January 10): Anesthesia Machine and Ventilators
Content: In the initial week we will concentrate on the parts of the anesthesia machine including an in depth discussion about function and proper use, selecting the appropriate breathing system, setting up and pressure checking the machine. We will also cover the parts and function of a ventilator as well as specific terminology associated with ventilators and ventilation.

Week 2 (Real Time Session January 17): Airway Management
Content: We will cover in depth discussion on the types, parts and function of endotracheal tubes; advantages of utilizing an endotracheal tube; selecting the proper endotracheal tube; steps for intubation and proper cuff inflation; extubation and complications that can arise; alternative techniques for intubation; complications from intubation; and cleaning and storage of endotracheal tubes.

Week 3 (Real Time Session January 24): Monitoring and the Anesthesia Record
Content: The importance of monitoring a patient under anesthesia and the purpose of an anesthesia record are essential for proper patient care. We will include discussion on the types of monitoring equipment available to assess the central nervous system, cardiovascular and respiratory systems as well as miscellaneous parameters and how to interpret what the numbers are saying. Finally, we will cover the limitations of monitoring equipment and the assessment of post-operative pain.

Week 4 (Real Time Session January 31): Pre-operative Period
Content: In this last week we will take an in depth look at what information should be gathered about the patient in order to formulate an anesthesia protocol and how to determine ASA status. Pre-operative considerations such as fluid therapy, IV catheterization, and fasting will be reviewed. Case based discussions will help the participant focus on the importance of pre-operative planning. Intra-operative considerations and patient specific considerations that relate to specific breeds or age of the patient will complete this week.

CE HOURS: 6

Tuition: $120 ($108 early bird if registered by December 20, 2011).
*Enroll in both Modules by January 10, 2012 and receive a 15% discount off the regular course 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).
** To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close when the maximum number of participants is reached or at 5pm ET the day of the first Real Time Session unless otherwise noted. If the first Real Time Session is on a weekend, course will close on the Friday before the first Real Time Session.

**For more on how online CE works see the Participant Resource Center


  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. Each person is individually responsible for his/her own registration. To ensure that all information received is secure and correct, please do not enroll for a course on behalf of another individual.
  4. For further assistance call 1-800-700-INFO (4636) or email (VIN CE) CEonVIN@vin.com or (VSPN CE) VSPNCE@vspn.org). Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.
Note: "This course has been approved for 6 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).
Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN/VSPN office 1-800-700-INFO (4636) to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.
**Note: To ensure rapid handling of your request for withdrawal, we recommend that you call the VIN/VSPN office at 1-800-700-INFO (4636).
** For More Information on VSPN's upcoming CE Courses, check out https://www.vin.com/CE/VSPN/VSPN_M02231.htm

Nanette R. Walker Smith, M.Ed., RVT, CVT, LVT
VSPN Content Director & VSPN CE Director

VSPN CE Services: VSPNCE@vspn.org
1-800-846-0028 or 1-530-756-4881 or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01452226154
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
Jennifer Withrow (Jennifer@vspn.org); ext 159
Nanette Walker Smith (Nanette@vspn.org); ext 187

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