Module 1: Three Devices, One Mission: Cardiac Monitoring and Rescue
- Types of medical equipment used in critical care, and why ECGs, defibrillators, and pacemakers matter so much in patient care
- Overview of safety protocols when using these critical care devices
- How ECG machines monitor heart activity, how defibrillators restore normal rhythm, and how pacemakers regulate heartbeat and prevent arrhythmias
Module 2: ECG Systems: Components, Calibration, and Care
- Electrodes, amplifiers, the signal processing unit, and other key ECG components: lead wires, paper, and printouts
- The role of ECGs in diagnosing cardiac conditions
- Performing regular calibration, cleaning, and maintaining electrodes and other components
Module 3: ECG Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Understanding and resolving poor signal quality, and addressing common errors in ECG printouts
- Dealing with electrode malfunction and lead failure
- Using diagnostic tools to assess ECG functionality, testing output against standard parameters, and evaluating cables, leads, and electrodes
Module 4: Defibrillators: Types, Components, and Maintenance
- Manual versus automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and how they deliver a shock to restore normal heart rhythm
- Key components: battery, capacitors, and paddles
- Ensuring battery life, testing charging capability, and proper handling of paddles, cables, and electrodes
Module 5: Defibrillator Faults, Testing, and Calibration
- Common issues: low battery or charging failure, inconsistent shock delivery, and electrode or cable malfunctions
- Performing self-tests and manual checks
- Verifying energy levels and shock protocols, and diagnosing problems in capacitors and electrical components
Module 6: Pacemakers: Components, Function, and Installation Care
- Internal components — pulse generator, leads, electrodes — and how pacemakers regulate heart rhythm to prevent arrhythmias
- Types of pacemakers: single-chamber, dual-chamber, and biventricular
- Procedures for implantation and monitoring, and ensuring proper battery life, function, and lead integrity
Module 7: Pacemaker Faults and Diagnostics
- Low battery indications, irregular signals, and inappropriate pacing
- Troubleshooting lead fractures or displacements
- Using pacemaker analysers to monitor function, interpreting pacing thresholds and impedance readings, and verifying and adjusting settings
Module 8: Regulatory Standards and Safety Protocols Across All Three Devices
- International standards — ISO, IEC, and FDA regulations — and the role of healthcare professionals in maintaining compliance
- Documentation and reporting of maintenance and repairs
- Ensuring patient and technician safety during maintenance, adhering to electrical safety guidelines, and protecting patient data privacy
Module 9: Preventive Maintenance and Extending Device Lifespan
- Creating schedules for routine checks and device testing, and identifying key maintenance tasks for each device type
- Best practices for equipment handling and care
- Techniques for preserving device functionality, minimising wear on components, and planning for battery and critical parts replacement
Module 10: Advanced Diagnostics and Fault Simulation
- Using oscilloscopes, multimeters, and analysers for advanced diagnostics
- Techniques for diagnosing subtle issues in device performance, and understanding signals and waveforms
- Setting up fault simulations for hands-on practice, and conducting final tests after repairs
Module 11: Spare Parts and Supplier Management
- Ensuring availability of essential parts like batteries, electrodes, and cables
- Best practices for storing and managing device components
- Building supplier relationships for timely replacements, negotiating prices and delivery, and evaluating spare parts quality