Clinical Online Education
Ventilation Basics for Respiratory Therapists (Online Curriculum)
This interactive, narrated, self-paced online course focuses on the basic skills needed to care for invasive and noninvasive ventilator patients. There is an emphasis on the home care environment. Topics include:
- Patient Interfaces
- Ventilator Circuits
- Ventilator Settings
- Ventilator Modes
- Measured Values
- Ventilator Alarms
- Safety Procedures and Emergency Backup Options
An optional, in-classroom lab for hands-on time is available for participants to practice
- Proper assembly and use of a resuscitation bag to ventilate a mannequin.
- Assembly of vent circuits.
- Check ordered parameters and verify vent settings.
- Identify and record measured patient values.
- Connect oxygen to the ventilator.
- Connect an external battery to the ventilator
- Respond to common ventilator alarms appropriately
The optional lab takes place at Pediatric Home Service in Roseville, Minnesota. NOTE: This is not a skills competency. Each employer is responsible for ensuring their staff’s competence.
1 contact hour will be awarded to online class participants.
Criteria for successful completion to receive one contact hour
- Completion of all course modules
- Achieving a passing score of 85% on post-test
- Completion and submission of evaluation form
There is no conflict of interest for anyone with the ability to control the content of this activity.
This program has been approved for 1 contact hour Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) credit by the American Association for Respiratory Care, 9425 N. MacArthur Blvd, Suite 100, Irving TX 75063. Activity Number:184573000. Expiration date: 1/21/2022.
Objectives: Upon completion of the presentation, the participant will be able to
- Explain the differences between invasive and noninvasive patient interfaces.
- Demonstrate an understanding of ventilator circuits, including tubing options, exhalation ports and valves, and other adapters.
- Verbalize an understanding of and discuss ventilator modes and settings.
- Describe the differences between pressure and volume ventilation and identify patients who may benefit from each.
- Discuss the differences between ventilator settings and patient values.
- Verbalize what measured patient values indicate and discuss what an increase or decrease in values might mean.
- Describe ventilator alarms and how to respond to them.
- Discuss safety procedures and emergency ventilation options.
Course authors: John Sheahan, RRT-NPS, LRT; Bri Schimelpfenig, BS, RRT-NPS, LRT; Jean Stumpf, BSN, CRNI