Courses

INTENDED AUDIENCE This activity was developed for nurses and other healthcare workers who need to understand and/or participate in weaning and extubating patients from mechanical ventilation. COMMERCIAL SUPPORT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT No commercial support was provided for the development of this activity. STATEMENT OF NEED While a significant number of patients in intensive care units (ICU) require mechanical ventilation at some point, one of the care goals is to remove them from mechanical ventilation as soon as possible. The process of weaning the patient from mechanical ventilation and removing the artificial airway is complex. Generally, it is the role of the respiratory therapist to wean and extubate the patient, however, the nurse plays a key role assisting in this process. For this reason, nurses need to know not only their specific role in weaning and extubation, but how their role is integral to the overall process. METHOD OF PARTICIPATION To complete this activity and obtain CE credit, you must do the following: - Read this Course Introduction/Disclosures section in its entirety. - Read the course material. - Complete the Post Test with a score of 80% or more. - Submit the online activity evaluation form. ACCREDITATION Medcom/Trainex is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.* Medcom/Trainex is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing (provider number CEP 9888), and the Florida Board of Nursing (provider number 50-1285). *Accreditation refers to recognition of educational activities only and does not imply Commission on Accreditation approval or endorsement of any product. CREDIT DESIGNATION Medcom, Inc. designates this educational activity for 1 contact hour of continuing nursing education credit. OVERVIEW The purpose of this program is to provide nurses and others with an understanding of the weaning and extubation process. The material is organized around the following categories: - Introduction - Assessment Prior to the Weaning Process - Weaning Methods - Weaning - Extubation - Post-extubation Complications - Conclusion LEARNING OBJECTIVES After completing this course, the learner should be able to: - Discuss the significance of the parameters necessary to determine the physiologic readiness of the patient for weaning. - Discuss the significance of each bedside pulmonary function test and the clinical value to obtain prior to weaning. - Describe the parameters to be routinely monitored while the patient is being weaned. - Discuss the general guidelines that may be used as criteria for discontinuing the wean. AUTHOR / REVIEWERS This educational activity was wholly developed, written, and produced by Medcom, Inc., G. Rand Rodriguez, editor. Robert Goodrow, BS, RRT-NPS served as subject matter expert in review of the content and performed content validation reviews. Marguerite Voorhees, RN, MN, CNS, CPHQ, CPHRM, served as nurse planner. PLANNER / AUTHOR DISCLOSURE In accordance with ANCC Standards, parallel documents from other accrediting bodies, and Medcom, Inc. policy, the learner is hereby informed that the planners and staff of Medcom, Inc., and the content validation reviewer(s) involved with this activity have reported no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. Furthermore, there is no discussion in this activity about the use of products for non FDA-approved indications. UNAPPROVED USE DISCLOSURE Medcom, Inc. requires authors and content validation reviewers to disclose to the learner when products or procedures being discussed are off-label, unlabeled, experimental, and/or investigational (not FDA approved); and any limitations on the information that is presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent ongoing research, interim analyses, and/or unsupported opinion. Authors of this activity may present information about pharmaceutical agents that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent prescribing information. DISCLAIMER As in all educational activities, we encourage the practitioners to use their own judgment in treating and addressing the needs of each individual patient, taking into account the patient's unique clinical situation. Medcom disclaims any liability and/or loss resulting from the information contained in this activity. The learner specifically agrees to indemnify and hold Medcom, the creators, producers, and distributors of this activity harmless against any and all claims or liabilities arising out of the use of any information provided in this activity by the learner, or by anyone directly or indirectly obtaining such information through the learner.