ANESTHESIA: FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS AND COMPONENTS PART ONE

 

 

Course Overview

This course is no longer available for enrollment. It uses an old edition of the text and the new edition changed to the extent that updating this course was not possible. Instead we created two new courses based on the 5th edition. They are not replacement courses but totally new. The new courses are in the technician section of the catalog.

Please Note: Elsevier has published the 5th edition early. It was not scheduled to be available until end of 2016. We are in the process of updating both Fundamental Anesthesia courses. However, the process of updating will not be finalized, depending on the course, until the end of 2016/beginning of 2017. When the update process is complete we will send a newsletter out to members. Until then both courses will continue to use the 4th edition.

General anesthesia is regarded as one of the miracles of medicine. Advances in the art and science of anesthesia have allowed tremendous advances in surgery and medicine. Yet anesthesia is not without its complications and side effects. Decreasing reactions and minimizing side effects, while increasing the effectiveness of anesthesia, must be a primary focus of every team member involved in the anesthesia process. In any discussion of the foundational principles of veterinary anesthesia, it is agreed that practitioners and nurses/technicians must have a strong understanding of, and comfort level with, anesthetic drugs and combinations. Another basic principle is the need to constantly improve existing protocols, either by simple changes or by extensive revision of drugs and procedures. The question every team member needs to ask is “What can I do to make anesthesia safer?”

Anesthesia: Fundamental Concepts and Components: Part One and Anesthesia: Fundamental Concepts and Components: Part Two are partner courses designed to provide a review of foundational knowledge for the safe practice of veterinary anesthesia. For some participants, this will be their initial introduction to the art and science of anesthesia while for other ii will be a valuable refresher course allowing for the inclusion of current practices. Although a foundational level set of offerings, both courses contain material that would be of benefit to many veterinarians. As indicated by a boarded veterinary anesthesiologist who has reviewed the content of this course, “Courses like this allow the practitioner to review the basic concepts they learned in veterinary school as well as to learn about new drugs, techniques, and monitors that are being used." It is recommended, although not required, that participants work in a practice to complete these courses. 

Anesthesia: Fundamental Concepts and Components: Part One covers patient preparation for anesthetic procedures along with current medication options. Anesthetic equipment and workplace safety are included. Please review the learning objectives and content section for more details.

Anesthesia: Fundamental Concepts and Components: Part Two reviews anesthetic monitoring and special techniques such as local anesthesia, assisted and controlled ventilation and neuromuscular blocking agents. This course also provides information on species-specific anesthetic considerations. Participants will choose between companion animal, equine, ruminant and swine, or rodent and rabbit species-specific tracks. Please review the learning objectives and content section for more details. It is recommended, but not required, that participants take the courses in order.

Enrollment: The enrollment button on this page enrolls into the Part One course only. To learn more about Part Two please use this link Anesthesia: Fundamental Concepts and Components: Part Two catalog page.

This course was formally titled Basic Principles of Anesthesia, Part One.

 

Continuing Education Credits

Course meets the requirements for 15 RACE hours of continuing education credit for veterinary technicians and veterinarians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB's 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.

This course is an interactive online course that meets RACE requirements; program number 57-13029.

 

Course Content

Anesthesia: Fundamental Concepts and Components: Part One is a 6-week course that provides an overview of foundational anesthetic concepts and principles. This course is designed for the veterinary technician or veterinarian seeking to solidify and update understanding of core anesthetic principles.

The content, assignments, examinations and case studies address terminology, an overview of anesthetic principles, pre-anesthesia patient assessment and pre-to-post anesthetic drugs. Also addressed are pain-related topics including analgesic agents, types of pain, multimodal therapy and terminology. Endotracheal intubation, anesthetic delivery systems, breathing circuits and oxygen flows, scavenging equipment and hazardous agents round out the content of this course.

 

Course Focus and Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Define anesthesia, and differentiate topical, local, regional, general, and surgical anesthesia, including common indications for anesthesia and the fundamental challenges and risks
  • Explain the concept of balanced anesthesia and the advantages of this approach
  • List the qualities and abilities of a successful veterinary anesthetist and explain the importance of effective communication
  • Explain the reasons for preoperative patient evaluation and the components of a minimum patient database
  • Take a complete history, perform a preanesthetic physical assessment, identify findings that affect anesthetic event planning and assign a patient to one of the five physical status classifications as specified by the American Society of Anesthesiologists
  • Discuss the value of intravenous catheterization for patients, describe types and purposes of IV fluids and calculate fluid infusion rates
  • Classify anesthetic agents and adjuncts based on route of administration, time of administration, principal effect, or chemistry as well as indications, mode of action, adverse effects, and use
  • Differentiate agonists, partial agonists, agonist-antagonists, and antagonists based on their action and effect
  • List the inhalation anesthetic agents in common use, and describe their indications, mode of action, effects, adverse effects, and use
  • List the reasons for, and advantages of, endotracheal intubation and choose and prepare an appropriate endotracheal tube
  • Describe the four basic anesthetic delivery systems, identify the parts of each system, and describe the basic operation of an anesthetic machine
  • Explain the use of oxygen supply of the anesthetic machine and trace the flow of oxygen through an anesthetic machine and patient breathing circuit for rebreathing and non-rebreathing systems
  • Compare and contrast vaporizer-out-of-circuit (VOC) and vaporizer-in-circuit (VIC) vaporizers in terms of setup, use, and agents administered in each of these systems
  • Explain the impact of oxygen flow rates on anesthetic concentration within the breathing circuit, changes in anesthetic depth, patient safety, and waste gas production
  • Describe both the short-term and long-term effects of waste anesthetic gas on team members and outline ways in which the release of waste anesthetic gases may be minimized

 

Participation Access Parameters

The design of this course allows participants to enroll at any time. 

After enrolling, please allow up to 48 hours for course activation. Each participant will have a personal start and end date that begins upon activation.

 

Required Materials

Please Note: Elsevier has published the 5th edition early. It was not scheduled to be available until end of 2016. We are in the process of updating both Fundamental Anesthesia courses. However, the process of updating will not be finalized, depending on the course, until the end of 2016/beginning of 2017. When the update process is complete we will send a newsletter out to members. Until then both courses will continue to use the 4th edition.

Anesthesia and Analgesia for Veterinary Technicians 4th Edition John A Thomas DVM and Phillip Lerche BVSc, PhD, Dipl ACVA 2011 Mosby/Elsevier

Important Text Information:

It is mandatory that each participant has access to this textbook as the content of the book is not reproduced within the course. It is up to each person to determine the best way to acquire the text. Some will already have the text in their library and, therefore, will not need to purchase another copy. The text is available as a print publication and as an eBook. Where to purchase and in what format is totally up to the participant. The text is not included in the fee for this course.

USA residents: Elsevier texts, both print and eBook, are available via the VetMedTeam Elsevier Text Portal at discounts off regular retail of 25 - 35 %. If you would like to visit the portal to take advantage of the discount please use this link:

VetMedTeam's Elsevier Text Portal


Important: Regardless of which option the participant chooses, access to a copy of the textbook is mandatory. Without the text the student will not be able to complete the assignments, case studies and examinations. If enrolling close to or beyond the course start date, it is recommended that the text be purchased as an eBook to prevent text acquisition related delays. VetMedTeam has no control over shipping delays and other related problems.

 

Course Completion Requirements

Completed students are awarded a certificate of completion. Completion requirements include:

  • Instructor Graded Interactive Module Assignments: Designed to help the participant reinforce newly learned material

  • Instructor Graded Interactive Case Study Assignments: Designed to help the participant apply the newly learned skills and knowledge though patient and practice based scenarios

  • Examinations: All examinations must be submitted with a score of 80% or better

  • Course survey

 

Participant Feedback

...What was most beneficial was the drugs used for anesthesia and the different types of machines used. I work in research so our protocols were different. I liked reading more on the pain drugs. I really appreciate all of the papers that Mary Ellen provided and can't wait to read them.

...It was challenging for me. I'm not certified and have never taken any vet tech classes (even though I have a bachelors degree in animal science) so I learned a lot especially about the anesthesia machines and flow rates. Mary Ellen Goldberg was wonderful with her feedback, links, and timely responses. My coworker raved about her so I was really looking forward to taking a course with her.

...This whole course was very informative. I found the course to be very challenging, given I am only a Veterinary Assistant a lot of the material was new to me. I now have a better understanding of pre-anesthetic patient history and testing, anesthetic machines and how they work/parts, and commonly used anesthetics/analgesics used in my workplace.

...I really enjoyed the critical thinking portion of the course-it really tested my knowledge as an RVT within my hospital setting. Also, revealed areas that I did not realize I needed improvement with. There is something new to learn everyday and this course has helped me become a better advocate and nurse for my future patients. Thank you so much!br />
...This was the first course I have taken on VetMedTeam, I truly enjoyed this course. I think it was a great review of anesthesia and also made me think of how I can improve anesthesia/analgesia and teach others in my work place. The instructor gave great feedback.

...It was challenging for me. I'm not certified and have never taken any vet tech classes (even though I have a Bachelor’s degree in animal science) so I learned a lot especially about the anesthesia machines and flow rates. Mary Ellen Goldberg was wonderful with her feedback, links, and timely responses. My coworker raved about her so I was really looking forward to taking a course with her.

...I'd covered all of this material in school a few years ago, and still had a copy of the previous edition of the text that I used at that time. However, this course was a good refresher on the details that I'd lost in the press of all of my other classes back-when. I particularly found the discussions of carrier gas flow rates and anesthetic pharmacology helpful. I also prefer the current text over the one I already owned.

...Very well formulated for the understanding of basic concepts of anesthesia. Since I am now instructing vet tech students this was an EXCELLENT course to understand the expectations of a veterinary team in regards to anesthesia...

...Up to date coverage of agents and their pharmacology were most beneficial. It has been over 33 years since graduation, and many times new agents are tried on recommendations without complete coverage of information on the agents used. Review of information and physiology is always useful. The course re-emphasized the risks associated with what seems a routine procedure.

...I enjoyed refreshing my knowledge of anesthesia and was also able to use the material to consider better options for anesthesia & pain management in my surgical patients.

...I cannot say enough great things about the instructor! She provided a lot of outside materials in addition to the course book that were very tangible and applicable. One article in particular that I truly enjoyed related to Marine Mammal Anesthesia and Analgesia, as I have previously interned as an RVT student at the Marine Mammal Center.

...As a veterinarian with many years' experience, it was not only a great refresher course but also presented material that was new and relevant to my daily activities.

...This was an outstanding online CE course. I am a licensed veterinarian. However, I have been in 2 consecutive administrative positions, and I wanted a solid comprehensive anesthesia review. This course was very well structured to provide that review.

...I felt that the study questions were all very well written and made sure to address the most important parts of the reading. I would read through each chapter, then do the questions. Having to read certain sections a second time to answer the questions really helped solidify the material for me. I also enjoyed the choice of text for this class. It provided a lot of good information without being overly technical and difficult to read. I feel like there is plenty of time to read through the material and get all the assignments done. The teacher seemed very knowledgeable about the material and eager to help with any questions or problems. She was very encouraging throughout the course. It was nice to see feedback on each assignment, even if it was a simple good job!

...Mary Ellen was very prompt in her responses, offered relevant supplemental readings on a variety of topics, and clearly is passionate about the course material, particularly pain management. Her desire to educate and her accessibility (both in response time and in friendliness) combine to make her an inviting instructor, and it's great that folks aren't afraid to ask questions (reading older forum posts, it's clear that ME treats all students, regardless of educational or experience level, as equally worthy or her time and effort; she works to provide material and responses to offer a wealth of information).

...This was an excellent course, instructed by an excellent instructor. This interactive course was worth much more than the fee, and was infinitly more educational, practical, and interesting than any conference continuing education class I have attended in many years. This course gets an A+, and the instructor rates an A+.

...I liked that the instructor responded so quickly to assignment submissions. Quick feedback made it easier to keep my momentum.
...Very relevant and helpful material. I will use these resources frequently. Also Mary Ellen provided fantastic additional resources that seemed hand picked for my situation. I'm absolutely going to enroll in course #2.

...This course provided me with a good review of the basic knowledge required to understand the anesthesia machine, the different anesthetic breathing circuits, the different anesthetic agents, and the use of analgesics to provide balanced anesthesia.

...I think the textbook, Anesthesia and Analgesia, 4th ed. was an excellent resource. I think the information was complete, yet succinct. I plan to use some of the material and concepts in our practice.

 

Course Instructor

Mary Ellen Goldberg LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS-lab animal medicine (research anesthesia-retired), VTS-Physical rehabilitation-retired, VTS-H (anesthesia/analgesia)Mary Ellen Goldberg LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS-lab animal medicine (research anesthesia-retired), VTS-Physical rehabilitation-retired, VTS-H (anesthesia/analgesia)

Mary Ellen Goldberg is a graduate of Harcum College and the University of Pennsylvania in 1976. She worked at Virginia Commonwealth University in the Division of Animal Resources and for Research Scientists advising on their choices for anesthesia and pain management on their protocols. She was a member of VCU’s IACUC for 10 years.

She has been the instructor in Anesthesia and Pain Management at VetMedTeam since 2003. She is a Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner through IVAPM. Mary Ellen is retired as a Surgical Research Anesthetist certified through the Academy of Surgical Research. Currently, she is a staff member at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute since 2012, as a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Veterinary Nurse. (CCRVN) where she is the examination coordinator. She is a member of the IACUC at the Manheimmer Foundation, Inc.


Mary Ellen was chosen NAVTA’s Veterinary Technician of the Year 2017. In 2019, Mary Ellen received the VTS-anesthesia, analgesia – honorary title from the Academy of Veterinary Technician Anesthesia and Analgesia. Mary Ellen has written several books, and contributed to numerous chapters regarding anesthesia, pain management and rehabilitation. She has worked in various aspects of veterinary medicine from small animal and equine to mixed practice, coccidiosis research for a pharmaceutical company,zoo animal medicine and laboratory animal medicine since 1976.

 

Upcoming Sessions

 

Pricing

Price: $179.00 USD


This course is eligible for the 10% Multi-course discount. To learn more about the discount please visit the Multi-Course Discount page.