This module is based at Cambridge University Hospital. 

All professionals involved in the acute care of children and young people should have a robust understanding of the signs that a child is critically ill, be able to recognise when they are deteriorating and be able to initiate strategies that will help stabilise their clinical condition.

Building on previous experience, this module has been designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills adopting a clinical reasoning approach to deliver High Dependency level care to children and young people with the aim of obtaining clinical stabilisation. If this is not possible to stabilise the patient’s condition sufficiently to allow for a safe transfer to an intensive care unit.

Aims

The module aims to:

• Enable the professional to monitor and initiate evidence based high dependency care interventions in conjunction with the multidisciplinary team.
• Develop the professional’s knowledge, decision making and clinical skills in relation to the high dependency care of children and young people.
  
  

Employability

This module provides focus and direction for professionals who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in the care of seriously ill children or young people. The module enables professionals to develop their current practice and prepare for potential career progression within the HDU environment.

Assessment 

Formative assessment:

Simulated practical skills assessment with peer review in the classroom.

Summative assessment:

CW1: Skills acquisition:

Submission of a skills acquisition portfolio which is assessed in practice.

Pass / Fail

CW2:  Simulated clinical examination with oral and practical questions:

Pass mark: 40%

100% weighting

Both practice based and theoretical assessments must be passed in order to pass the module overall.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge and evidence base which underpins high dependency care for children and young people.
  

Intellectual Skills:

• Analyse the evidence base to support the care delivery for children, young people and their families during a period of acute illness.
  

Practical Skills:

• Demonstrate increasing confidence in clinical skills participation including assessment, prioritisation and communication
  reflect critically on own clinical practice, recognising the limits of competence and gaining support from other professionals as required.
  

Transferable Skills:

• Effective and collaborative teamwork alongside the multi-professional team.
• Decision making and problem-solving skills in the management of children in high dependency care.