Goals and Objectives

Become proficient in critical care knowledge in the following areas:

• Cardiothoracic-respiratory resuscitation
• Physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy of disorders of the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, neurologic, endocrine, musculoskeletal, and immune systems as well as of infectious diseases
• Metabolic, nutritional and endocrine effects of critical illness
• Hematologic and coagulation disorders
• Critical obstetric and gynecologic disorders
• Trauma, thermal, electrical, radiation, inhalation and immersion injuries
• Monitoring and medical instrumentation
• Critical pediatric surgical conditions
• Pharmacokinetics and dynamics of drug metabolism and excretion in critical illness
• Ethical and legal aspects of surgical critical care
• Principles and techniques of administration and management
• Biostatistics and experimental design

Become proficient in critical care skills in the following areas:

• Respiratory airway management, including endoscopy and management of respiratory systems
• Circulatory: invasive and non-invasive monitoring techniques, including transesophageal and precordial cardiac ultrasound and application of transvenous pacemakers, computations of cardiac output and of system and pulmonary vascular resistance; monitoring electrocardiograms and management of cardiac assist devices
• Neurological: the performance of complete neurological examinations; use of intracranial pressure monitoring techniques and the electroencephalogram to evaluate cerebral function; application of hypothermia in the management of cerebral trauma
• Renal: the evaluation of renal function, peritoneal dialysis and hemofiltration, knowledge of the indications of complications of hemodialysis
• Gastrointestinal: utilization of gastrointestinal intubation and endoscopic techniques in the management of the critically ill patient; application of enteral feeds, management of stomas, fistulas and percutaneous catheter devices
• Hematologic: application of autotransfusion, assessment of coagulation status, appropriate use of component therapy
• Infectious Disease: classification of infections and application of isolation techniques, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and management of antibiotic therapy during organ failure, nosocomial infections, indications for applications of hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Nutritional: application of parenteral and enteral nutrition, monitoring and assessing metabolism and nutrition
• Monitoring/bioengineering: use and calibration of transducers, amplifiers, and recorders
• Miscellaneous: use of special beds for specific injuries; employment of pneumatic antishock garments, traction and fixation devices