ECCO Course Syllabus

For a detailed list of module content and descriptions, download the ECCO Comprehensive Syllabus.

Global Perspectives in the Care of Critically Ill Patients

Team competence, patient safety and evidence-based-practice approaches to moral distress
Prevention and management of healthcare-associated conditions (VTE, HAPU, VAE) and healthcare-associated infections (CAUTI, CLABSI)
Assessment, prevention, and management of pain, anxiety, agitation, delirium and sedation, including anesthesia recovery

Cardiovascular Disorders

Cardiovascular system assessment and diagnostic and interventional testing
Acute coronary syndromes, peripheral vascular disease, cardiomyopathies, types of heart failure and valvular heart disease Pacemakers, ICDs, and electrophysiology studies
Coronary artery bypass grafting and cardiac valve repair and replacement

Pulmonary Disorders

Pulmonary assessment techniques, including lung sounds and ABG interpretation
Oxygen delivery devices and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation
Management of patients with respiratory failure, COPD, pneumonia, PE, ARDS, and pulmonary hypertension
Invasive mechanical ventilation, including weaning and extubation/decannulation and use of neuromuscular blockers

Hemodynamic Monitoring

Arterial and central venous pressure monitoring
Pulmonary artery pressure monitoring and assessment/consequences of cardiac output monitoring
Assessment and interventions for oxygenation and oxygen transport
Vasoactive medication management of preload, afterload, and contractility

Neurologic Disorders

Neurologic assessment techniques, including intracranial pressure monitoring
Overview of death by neurologic criteria and vital sign evaluation
Neurologic disorders, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, and status epilepticus
Selected central nervous system infections, and traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Renal Disorders

Assessment and nursing priorities for monitoring acute and chronic kidney function
Fluid and electrolyte disorders, including emergent management
Types of renal replacement therapies and temporary vs. permanent access catheters used for dialysis
Principles of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)

Endocrine Disorders

Assessment, management, nursing priorities, and evaluation of managing critically ill patients with a variety of endocrine disorders (DKA, HHS, SIADH, DI, CSW, hyper/hypoglycemia, adrenal disorders, and thyroid and parathyroid dysfunction)

Hematological Disorders

Assessment, management, nursing priorities, interventions, and evaluation for managing critically ill patients with a variety of hematologic and coagulation disorders (DIC, HIT, VTE)
Transfusion therapies and assessment/prevention of complications

Multisystem Disorders

Nursing priorities for shock (hypovolemic, cardiogenic, neurogenic, septic, and anaphylactic)
SIRS-sepsis continuum, multisystem organ dysfunction syndrome
Rhabdomyolysis, necrotizing fasciitis, alcohol withdrawal, and drug overdose