Training activity information
Details
Apply nitric oxide therapy to a patient to include:
- Set up
- Preparation
- Connection to the patient
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Prescription for the intervention
- Equipment is fit for purpose
- Connection to the patient
- Infection control
- Contraindications
- Risk management
- Continuous monitoring
- Patient centred care and support
- Communication with patients, relatives and the clinical team
- Top up education for bedside healthcare professionals
- Safe storage of drugs
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What do you need to know with regards to the set-up, preparation, and connection of nitric oxide therapy to a patient?
- What is your current understanding of nitric oxide therapy, its indications, contraindications, and potential complications?
- What knowledge do you have regarding the equipment required for nitric oxide delivery and its safe operation?
- Are you familiar with the relevant protocols and guidelines for administering nitric oxide therapy in your clinical area?
- Consider the specific insights you hope to gain from engaging with the practical application of nitric oxide therapy. For example, you might want to focus on understanding the practical challenges of setting up the system or the nuances of connecting it safely to the patient.
- Think about what you already know about ventilation and adjunct therapies. How does nitric oxide therapy fit into this existing knowledge?
- Discuss this training activity with your training officer to gain clarity of understanding regarding the specific patient scenario (if applicable), the equipment you will be using, and the expected level of your involvement.
- Consider possible challenges you might face during the set-up, preparation, and connection stages and think about how you might handle them. For example, what will you do if you encounter a technical issue with the delivery system?
- Identify how you feel about embarking on this training activity. Are you feeling confident, anxious, or curious? Understanding your feelings can help you focus your preparation.
In action
- What are the steps you are taking for the setup, preparation, and connection of the nitric oxide therapy. What are your rationales for each step you are performing? Are you following a specific protocol? If so, how are you adhering to it?
- Are there any difficulties encountered during the setup, preparation, or connection process? How are you ensuring the equipment is functioning correctly as you proceed? What immediate observations are you making regarding the patient and the equipment?
- If you encountered any unexpected issues with the equipment or patient connection, what adjustments did you make? Did you need to seek any advice or assistance during the process?
On action
- Describe the sequence of steps you took during the setup, preparation, and connection of nitric oxide therapy. What were the key observations you made regarding the equipment and the patient during the process? Were there any specific challenges encountered during any stage?
- What did you learn about the practical application of nitric oxide therapy? Did you encounter any differences between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation? How effective were your troubleshooting skills if any issues arose? What did you learn about the importance of each step in the process?
- What specific aspects of the setup, preparation, or connection would you approach differently in the future? Do you need to review any specific protocols or guidelines related to nitric oxide therapy? What further training or resources might be beneficial?
Beyond action
- Having gained more experience, do you now have a different understanding of the complexities involved in applying nitric oxide therapy? Have you observed this therapy being applied in other contexts (e.g., different patient groups, different equipment)? How did those experiences compare? Looking back at your initial reflections, are there any aspects of the setup, preparation, or connection that you now recognise as more or less significant?
- Has this experience improved your general skills in setting up and connecting medical equipment? Have you had opportunities to apply your understanding of nitric oxide therapy in subsequent patient care or discussions? How has this DTA contributed to your understanding of patient safety considerations when using inhaled therapies?
- What transferable skills (e.g., attention to detail, following protocols, problem-solving with equipment) did this DTA help develop? What further learning or experiences would you benefit from to enhance your expertise in this area?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 5 |
Outcome
Set up, apply and manage a range of adjunct ventilation therapies. |
| # 6 |
Outcome
Assess clinical and technical issues with ventilators and troubleshoot accurately. |