3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
Health care associated infections (HAIs) are the most common complication affecting patients in Australian hospitals, with about 200,000 HAIs a year causing unnecessary pain and suffering and prolonging hospital stays at great cost to the health system.Standard and transmission-based precautions are crucial to the prevention and control of HAIs, and all staff should know when and how to apply them. All health care settings should also implement individually appropriate strategies to manage the risk of HAIs being spread or acquired by all staff, patients and visitors.
This tutorial details what standard precautions are and when and how to implement them. It is suitable for all health care workers and is based on the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, 2010. [1]
Transmission-based precautions are applied in addition to standard precautions if patients are known or suspected to be infected by agents that may not be contained by standard precautions alone. This tutorial does not deal with transmission-based precautions, nor does it deal with the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments. These two topics are the subject of separate infection control tutorials.
Janet Hitchener RN, RM, RNNIC, Grad Dip (NSG), Mbioeth, Dip OH&S.
Janet has a strong background in senior health management and quality improvement in health care. She is a qualified neonatal nurse and midwife. Janet is the Managing Director of Accreditation Specialists, a company that provides advice and services on quality improvement in health care. Janet has worked extensively in the areas of clinical governance and management.
Louise Roberts BA (Law)
Louise is a professional health care writer and editor. Her experience includes being the chief sub-editor of the Nursing Standard, production editor of the Nursing Times, editing and writing for the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications.
- Know how infectious diseases are spread.
- Know what standard precautions are and when they should be applied.
- Know how to perform a routine hand rub and hand wash, and an aseptic hand wash.
- Be able to identify when the use of personal protective equipment is required.
- Know which personal protective equipment is appropriate in any given circumstance.
- Understand the importance of the safe disposal of sharps.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
Health care associated infections (HAIs) are the most common complication affecting patients in Australian hospitals, with about 200,000 HAIs a year causing unnecessary pain and suffering and prolonging hospital stays at great cost to the health system.Standard and transmission-based precautions are crucial to the prevention and control of HAIs, and all staff should know when and how to apply them. All health care settings should also implement individually appropriate strategies to manage the risk of HAIs being spread or acquired by all staff, patients and visitors.
This tutorial details what standard precautions are and when and how to implement them. It is suitable for all health care workers and is based on the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, 2010. [1]
Transmission-based precautions are applied in addition to standard precautions if patients are known or suspected to be infected by agents that may not be contained by standard precautions alone. This tutorial does not deal with transmission-based precautions, nor does it deal with the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and instruments. These two topics are the subject of separate infection control tutorials.
Janet Hitchener RN, RM, RNNIC, Grad Dip (NSG), Mbioeth, Dip OH&S.
Janet has a strong background in senior health management and quality improvement in health care. She is a qualified neonatal nurse and midwife. Janet is the Managing Director of Accreditation Specialists, a company that provides advice and services on quality improvement in health care. Janet has worked extensively in the areas of clinical governance and management.
Louise Roberts BA (Law)
Louise is a professional health care writer and editor. Her experience includes being the chief sub-editor of the Nursing Standard, production editor of the Nursing Times, editing and writing for the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications.
- Know how infectious diseases are spread.
- Know what standard precautions are and when they should be applied.
- Know how to perform a routine hand rub and hand wash, and an aseptic hand wash.
- Be able to identify when the use of personal protective equipment is required.
- Know which personal protective equipment is appropriate in any given circumstance.
- Understand the importance of the safe disposal of sharps.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
This tutorial considers the legal obligation to obtain valid consent and the general principles that should be applied to any such situation. It clarifies who should obtain consent, the ways in which consent may be given and the criteria for valid consent, including in emergency situations and from minors and people with an intellectual disability or mental incapacity to consent. A nurse's first duty is to his or her patients/clients and the duty to obtain valid consent falls within all nurses' general duty to take reasonable care of their patients/clients. To fulfil this duty, all nurses need to know their own obligations in terms of consent. However, they also need to know when it may be necessary to question a medical practitioner's decision on consent and how to address situations in which adequate disclosure of information has not been provided to patients or clients.
This tutorial is suitable for all nurses because consent is an integral part of quality care and having effective systems in place for obtaining valid consent will prevent confusion and potential conflict. It is recommended for nurse practitioners in particular because their expanding roles places even greater responsibility on them in terms of the issues surrounding informed consent.
Jolan Yik Paal BCom, LLB (Australian National University)
Jolan is a litigation solicitor with extensive experience in acting for plaintiffs in medical negligence matters, including hypoxic births and failure-to-diagnose cases. She has represented professional indemnity insurers in medical negligence matters and health professionals in disciplinary matters. Jolan currently works as in-house counsel for a group of private hospitals in England.
Anita Whitelum RN, LLB; Grad Dip LP; Grad Dip OH&S
Anita is a registered nurse and lawyer. As a registered nurse, Anita worked extensively in the area of palliative care. As a solicitor, Anita has experience in working in the areas of medical negligence and risk minimisation and compliance in health care.
- Have an overview of Australian law regarding consent.
- Understand the importance of obtaining valid consent before performing a medical procedure or treatment.
- Know who should obtain consent, the ways in which consent may be given and the criteria for valid consent.
- Be aware of the duty to obtain consent from minors, people with an intellectual disability or mental incapacity to consent, and in emergency situations.
- Understand the legal position of nurses in situations where patients or clients have not been provided with adequate disclosure.
- Understand the basic requirements for a valid consent form.
2.5 CPD hours
2.5 RCNA CNE points
The human heart is one of the most fascinating organs of the human body. An understanding of the function of a healthy heart, and its anatomy and physiology, provide the building blocks for a broader understanding of how the human body works. This tutorial explains and illustrates the structure and function of the adult heart, including the heartbeat and pulse. It also describes the vital part it plays in the circulation of the blood, ensuring that oxygenated blood is pumped through the entire body and that deoxygenated blood is returned to the lungs to be reoxygenated.
This tutorial is the first in a series on cardiology. We recommend that this tutorial is completed before you start the next in this series: Cardiology – The Cardiac Conduction System and Electrocardiograms.
Robert Wilson BN, Grad Cert CritCare.
Robert has been working in critical care nursing for ten years and is a senior nurse in cardiothoracic intensive care in a major Australian tertiary hospital.
Louise Roberts BA (Law)
Louise is a professional health care writer and editor. Her experience includes being the chief sub-editor of the Nursing Standard, production editor of the Nursing Times, editing and writing for the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications.
- Be able to describe the main functions of the heart.
- Be able to identify the main anatomical features of the heart.
- Understand how the heart pumps blood through the cardiovascular system.
- Be familiar with the systemic circuit and its role in the circulation of the blood.
- Be familiar with the pulmonary circuit and its role in the circulation of the blood.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
This tutorial explains the electrochemical processes that make the heart contract, how the cardiac conduction system initiates and controls the heartbeat, and how electrical activity can be detected on the surface of the body.It details how heart monitors and electrocardiograms can be used to monitor the heart rate and rhythm, and how to identify a normal rate and rhythm using both devices. This knowledge will enable you to identify when the heart rate and rhythm are abnormal and is essential if you intend to move on to diagnosing cardiac abnormalities through ECGs.
This tutorial is one in a series on cardiology and assumes a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the heart, which is explained in the first: Cardiology – An Introduction to the Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart.
Robert Wilson BN, Grad Cert CritCare.
Robert has been working in critical care nursing for ten years and is a senior nurse in cardiothoracic intensive care in a major Australian tertiary hospital.
Louise Roberts BA (Law)
Louise is a professional health care writer and editor. Her experience includes being the chief sub-editor of the Nursing Standard, production editor of the Nursing Times, editing and writing for the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications.
- Understand the electrochemical processes that make the heart contract.
- Know how electrical activity is generated in and travels through the heart.
- Be able to describe the structure of the cardiac conduction system.
- Understand why defects in the cardiac conduction system can result in cardiac abnormalities.
- Be able to identify a normal heart rate and rhythm on a cardiac monitor or electrocardiogram.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
Distinguishing between normal and abnormal heart sounds requires detailed knowledge and experience. This tutorial is the first step in that process, providing the knowledge base that will enable clinicians to detect, recognise and understand both normal and abnormal heart sounds.It describes and explains the heart sounds that can be heard during auscultation, with audio demonstrations of both normal and common abnormal heart sounds. Being able to recognise normal heart sounds enables the detection of any additional heart sounds. With practice, clinicians can then acquire the skills and confidence to accurately distinguish between what is normal and what is abnormal.
Auscultation should be performed only after adequate training and supervised practice. This tutorial provides the theoretical basis necessary to begin this process and assumes a thorough understanding of cardiac anatomy and physiology, which is provided in the first tutorial in this series: Cardiology – An Introduction to the Anatomy and Physiology of the Heart.
Robert Wilson BN, Grad Cert CritCare.
Robert has been working in critical care nursing for ten years and is a senior nurse in cardiothoracic intensive care in a major Australian tertiary hospital.
Louise Roberts BA (Law)
Louise is a professional health care writer and editor. Her experience includes being the chief sub-editor of the Nursing Standard, production editor of the Nursing Times, editing and writing for the World Wide Wounds website and various European Wound Management Association publications.
- Know what heart sounds are and how they are produced.
- Understand the principles of auscultation.
- Be familiar with the cardiac auscultatory areas.
- Be able to identify normal and common abnormal heart sounds.
- Know how auscultatory findings should be documented.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
A great deal of the information that nurses and midwives deal with is personal or personal health information. In Australia, the collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal information is regulated by various acts of parliament. However, the standard required of people who collect, use, store and disclose personal health information is higher than the standard applied to other personal information. This tutorial is recommended for all nurses as it explains what the expected standard is and what ethical and legal duties nurses and midwives have when collecting, using, storing or disclosing personal health information. It also describes the most commonly invoked legal exceptions to the rules of non-disclosure.
Jolan Yik Paal BCom, LLB (Australian National University)
Jolan is a litigation solicitor with extensive experience in acting for plaintiffs in medical negligence matters, including hypoxic births and failure-to-diagnose cases. She has represented professional indemnity insurers in medical negligence matters and health professionals in disciplinary matters. Jolan currently works as in-house counsel for a group of private hospitals in England.
Anita Whitelum RN, LLB; Grad Dip LP; Grad Dip OH&S
Anita is a registered nurse and lawyer. As a registered nurse, Anita worked extensively in the area of palliative care. As a solicitor, Anita has experience in working in the areas of medical negligence and risk minimisation and compliance in health care.
- Understand the duty to protect the personal information of patients/clients.
- Understand the ethical duty to maintain confidential information.
- Know the privacy principles that apply to the collection, use, storage and disclosure of personal health information.
- Understand the legal principle of reasonable expectation as it applies to personal health information.
- Know when and where exceptions to the duty to maintain confidential information apply.
- Be aware of practical ways to reduce the risk of breaching their duty not to disclose confidential information.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
This tutorial addresses the presentation and diagnosis of wheeze in infants and children, which is one of the most commonly reported paediatric symptoms in Australia. It explains the different causes of wheeze and how to accurately assess it in an infant or child, and highlights the signs and symptoms that signal a deteriorating condition.This tutorial is aimed at all nurses who come into contact with children, especially those working in primary care or emergency departments. It is one of three on the diagnosis, management and prevention of wheeze in children. We strongly recommend that nurses complete this tutorial before starting on the other two: Wheeze in Infants: Presentation and Management; and Wheeze in Children Aged Over One: Presentation and Management.
Tara De Koning RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.
Sarah Adams RN, DipAppSci (Nsg); BHS (Nsg); Paediatric cardiothoracic certificate & GC NIC; MN (education)
Sarah has more than 21 years experience in critical care nursing and specialises in paediatrics and neonates. Sarah's areas of interest include retrieval, trauma & cardiac. Sarah has a passion for education and has worked in education positions in the public hospital and university sectors. Sarah is currently employed as a nurse educator in newborn care at a major tertiary Children's hospital. Sarah has commenced a second Master's degree in nursing with a view to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
- Be able to differentiate wheeze from other respiratory sounds in children.
- Be able to identify the most common causes of wheeze in children.
- Understand the components of a comprehensive respiratory assessment in children.
- Be able to identify the signs and symptoms that signal a deteriorating condition.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
This tutorial focuses on the presentation and management of wheeze in infants (children aged up to 12 months). It deals in detail with bronchiolitis, the most common presentation of wheeze in infants, and respiratory syncytial virus, its most common cause. Evidence-based assessment and management strategies are also discussed.This tutorial is aimed at all nurses who come into contact with children, especially those working in primary care or emergency departments. It is one of three on the diagnosis, management and prevention of wheeze in children. We strongly recommend that nurses complete the tutorial titled Wheeze in Infants and Children: Assessment, Diagnosis and Acute Indications, before starting this one.
Tara De Koning RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.
Sarah Adams RN, DipAppSci (Nsg); BHS (Nsg); Paediatric cardiothoracic certificate & GC NIC; MN (education)
Sarah has more than 21 years experience in critical care nursing and specialises in paediatrics and neonates. Sarah's areas of interest include retrieval, trauma & cardiac. Sarah has a passion for education and has worked in education positions in the public hospital and university sectors. Sarah is currently employed as a nurse educator in newborn care at a major tertiary Children's hospital. Sarah has commenced a second Master's degree in nursing with a view to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
- Be able to identify the common causes of wheeze in infants;
- Understand the basic pathophysiology of bronchiolitis in infants;
- Be able to differentiate between mild, moderate and severe bronchiolitis, and have an understanding of how each should be managed;
- Be aware of infection control strategies to prevent the spread of respiratory syncytial virus;
- Be able to incorporate environmental factors into parental education for infants with bronchiolitis.
3 CPD hours
3 RCNA CNE points
This tutorial focuses on the presentation and management of wheeze in children aged over one year. It deals in detail with asthma, which is the most common cause, and discusses two other common causes, foreign body aspiration and congenital airway abnormalities. A range of evidence-based prevention and management strategies are described.This tutorial is aimed at all nurses who come into contact with children, especially those working in primary care or emergency departments. It is one of three on the diagnosis, management and prevention of wheeze in children. We strongly recommend that nurses complete the tutorial titled Wheeze in Infants and Children: Assessment, Diagnosis and Acute Indications, before starting this one.
Tara De Koning RN, Grad Dip (Child and Family Health), Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
Tara has over 16 years’ experience in child health across primary, tertiary and community/ambulatory health care settings. She completed a nurse practitioner master's degree in New Zealand that focused on child health.
Sarah Adams RN, DipAppSci (Nsg); BHS (Nsg); Paediatric cardiothoracic certificate & GC NIC; MN (education)
Sarah has more than 21 years experience in critical care nursing and specialises in paediatrics and neonates. Sarah's areas of interest include retrieval, trauma & cardiac. Sarah has a passion for education and has worked in education positions in the public hospital and university sectors. Sarah is currently employed as a nurse educator in newborn care at a major tertiary Children's hospital. Sarah has commenced a second Master's degree in nursing with a view to becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
- Be able to identify the most common causes of wheeze in older children;
- Be able to identify the best management strategy for a child presenting with wheeze;
- Understand the pathophysiology of asthma in older children;
- Be familiar with a range of evidence-based asthma prevention and management strategies.