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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Deanery of Clinical Sciences : Critical Care

Postgraduate Course: Sepsis and Infection (CRCA11005)

Course Outline
SchoolDeanery of Clinical Sciences CollegeCollege of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)
Course typeOnline Distance Learning AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course provides a thorough grounding in the area of sepsis. Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis and septic shock are major healthcare problems, affecting millions of people around the world each year, and killing as many as one in four (and often more). Early identification and appropriate management in the initial hours after sepsis develops improves patient outcomes. Sepsis results in a requirement for critical care due to shock, respiratory failure and, in many cases, multiple organ failure. The course will also highlight the importance of healthcare associated infection surveillance and prevention of infection in Critical Care.
Course description 1) Academic Description

Sepsis usually originates from a localised infection which progresses into an uncontrolled systemic response. It can rapidly lead to acute physiological deterioration with the risk of multiple organ failure and death. In light of this the course will build on the early identification and management of sepsis which was discussed in the Core Clinical Course and introduce elements of more advanced therapy. Detailed consideration of the application of mechanical ventilation and vasoactive drug therapy will be covered in the Understanding disease mechanisms to provide optimal organ support course.

Sepsis may be caused by a primary infection such as pneumonia, and identification of the source and infecting organism will be examined. In the critical care context sepsis may also may result from clinical interventions for other conditions: immuno-modulatory drugs, chemotherapy, invasive lines. Prevention and treatment of these will be covered.

2) Outline content
This course will explore the pathophysiology of sepsis and, through an examination of the pertinent literature, the repeated academic efforts to discover targeted therapies for the condition. Early identification of sepsis with appropriate intervention i.e. oxygen, fluids, antibiotics, and more advanced resuscitation, where indicated, has been shown to improve survival and will be included. Rational, empirical antimicrobial therapy will be highlighted. The importance of source control will be emphasised. The evidence base for fluid resuscitation, vasopressor support and for the use of corticosteroids will be explored. Rational guidelines for practical patient management will be discussed.
It is widely accepted that Critical Care should have a Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) surveillance system in place. This course will explore incidence reporting of important infections such as Intubation Associated Pneumonia (IAP), Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) and Blood Stream Infection (BSI). HDUs report incidence of Catheter Related Bloodstream Infection (CRBSI) and Blood Stream Infection (BSI). These HAIs are important, measurable and, with the course will examine whether with an effective quality improvement programme, they can be reduced.

3) Student Learning Experience

Students will learn from subject matter experts in critical care through the medium of a virtual Microbiology intensive care ward round. Students will participate in asynchronous subject matter expert-led discussion boards, where they will each develop an allocated ¿5-minute teaching¿ topic for presentation at the weekly live tutorials. Classic papers will be reviewed. There will be weekly online clinical quizzes. The students will also engage with recorded tutorials and lectures featuring key practical procedures and safety drills. They will evidence their learning through the development and delivery of 5-minute teaching and the infographic based on their allotted subject.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  None
Course Start Block 5 (sem 2)
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 98 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) In course assessment: 100 %
Feedback Feedback is defined as information to students which allows them to review what they know, understand and can do in their studies. Feedback is also important to identify areas for improvement, for example course feedback surveys will be an integral component of the programme to allow refinement.

Opportunities for feedback arise during timetabled courses, for example during live session tutorials, interactive discussion boards, emails. Feedback can be provided on coursework assignments but also activities which are not formally assessed, for example class discussion on the discussion board, group exercises, problem-solving such as weekly quizzes and developing project plans and proposals. A formative task is provided in each course which provides feedforward prior to the student submitting their first piece of summative assessed course work.

All assignments will be marked, and feedback is provided within a period of fifteen working days (where possible) following the submission date (excluding holidays periods whereby the University is closed, e.g. over the Christmas period).
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Demonstrates a critical understanding of sepsis and infection in critical care
  2. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge and skills to the management of sepsis regardless of healthcare setting
  3. Make informed treatment decisions in patients with sepsis in the absence of complete or consistent information
  4. Recognise the multidisciplinary nature of sepsis and demonstrate the ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team
  5. Exercise autonomy and accountability in the prevention and management of sepsis
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills a) Mindsets:

Enquiry and lifelong learning:
Graduates of this course will be encouraged to pursue their own curiosity and to learn and develop in the field of critical care, to strive for excellence in their own professional practice, and also to strive to improve care for patients as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Aspiration and personal development
Students will be encouraged to draw on their own experiences to identify areas in which they wish to grow and develop acknowledging that different students will have different priorities and aspirations.

Outlook and engagement
Students will be asked to bring to the course experiences from their own practice, often specifically relating to their own geographical and cultural context, that can be used to explore learning, engage with individuals from other international communities on the programme.

b) Skills:

Research and enquiry
Although students will not conduct primary research in this course, they will use and further develop newly acquired expertise in accessing the literature and critical appraisal, to incorporate the findings of primary research in their arguments, discussions, and assessments.

Personal and intellectual autonomy
Students will be encouraged to use their own personal and intellectual autonomy through their active participation in self-directed learning, discussion boards and collaborative activities to critically evaluate ideas evidence and experiences from an open-minded perspective.

Personal effectiveness
Success on the course will require students to be effective and proactive learners. Using the resources of the course tutors, and the university learning and information environment, students will be encouraged and supported to contribute to their own learning, as well as that of others.

Communication
Excellence in critical care is dependent on excellent communication, and the structure of the interactive (discussion boards and collaborative activities) and assessment elements incorporate constant reinforcement and development of this skill.
KeywordsSepsis,infection,critical care,intensive care,surveillance,infection control,immunosuppressio
Contacts
Course organiserDr Alistair Gibson
Tel:
Email: v1agibs2@exseed.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMrs Kimberley Jamieson
Tel:
Email: kimberley.jamieson@ed.ac.uk
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