Number of Courses:  One Live 2-Hour Class
Credit Awarded:  2 Hours
Credit Type: Advanced
Accredited: IBSC, CAPCE (F5-VILT), CE Broker (FL & TN), Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS, and Virginia Office of EMS
Enrollment Period:  One year or until completed, whichever comes first
Topics: Medical Emergencies

This CE activity is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education for a total of 2 Paramedic Critical Care CEH.

Are you in need of a few critical care hours to round out your FP-C or CCP-C recertification? Or just want something different to put towards your NRP recertification? This individual Critical Care course will meet those needs.

IBSC Board for Critical Care Transport Paramedic Certification APPROVED!

Want to see when classes are offered, click here DistanceCME Course Calendar

Topics covered in this Live CCTR L14

  • Medical Emergencies (2 hr)

If you need more than a few hours, this program is perfect for your continuing education: Critical Care Transport Review. The Critical Care Transport program can also be used for your NREMT Recertification.

Course Overview
Caring for patients with infectious disease requires attention to both clinical deterioration and the prevention of disease transmission. This comprehensive course explores communicable disease, infection control, and the recognition and management of sepsis in the critical care transport environment. Participants connect exposure history, assessment findings, and monitoring data with patient care priorities while reviewing protective practices for patients and transport teams.

Communicable Disease & Transmission
Learners examine direct and indirect contact, droplet, airborne, and vector transmission. The course explores how organism characteristics, exposure dose, route of entry, and host defenses influence the likelihood of infection. Participants also review epidemiologic concepts, including incubation periods, communicability, and the differences between epidemics and pandemics.

Infection Prevention & Protective Practices
This section reviews standard precautions, hand hygiene, and selection of personal protective equipment based on the anticipated exposure. Participants examine sharps safety, waste disposal, and the importance of confirming isolation precautions before interfacility transfer. The course emphasizes preparation to protect the transport team while reducing the risk of transmission to other patients.

Vaccination & Occupational Health
Participants review the role of immunization in protecting healthcare personnel and limiting the spread of communicable disease. The course introduces occupational health considerations and the responsibilities of public health and workplace safety agencies. Learners also explore the importance of agency exposure control plans and knowing how to contact the designated infection control officer.

Infectious Disease Assessment
Learners examine the value of recent travel, sick contacts, underlying conditions, and changes from baseline when evaluating possible infection. The course emphasizes airway, breathing, circulation, and mental status assessment while considering hydration and patient comfort. Participants explore how a thorough history can identify information that affects both treatment priorities and transport precautions.

Sepsis Recognition & Screening
This section explores the dysregulated response to infection and its potential progression to organ dysfunction and shock. Participants review systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria and the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), including their limitations. The course emphasizes interpreting screening findings within the overall clinical picture rather than relying on a score alone.

Perfusion Assessment & Hemodynamic Support
Participants examine changes in blood pressure, mental status, and urinary output alongside lactate and other monitoring findings. The course reviews fluid resuscitation, recognition of fluid intolerance, and vasoactive medication considerations. Learners also explore escalation of support when hypotension persists and the importance of reassessing response throughout treatment.

Airway & Ventilation in Septic Patients
Learners review the challenges of airway management in patients with limited physiologic reserve and hemodynamic instability. The course examines preparation for intubation, potential deterioration during induction, and ventilation considerations in the presence of metabolic acidosis. Participants also explore end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring as one component of ongoing respiratory and metabolic assessment.

Antibiotic Therapy & Transport Coordination
This section addresses communication regarding cultures, antibiotic administration, and therapies initiated by the referring facility. Participants review the need to anticipate continued treatment during transfer and confirm appropriate receiving resources, including surgical capabilities when indicated. The course reinforces patient advocacy and coordination among the sending, transport, and receiving teams.

Clinical Integration
Throughout the course, infection prevention and sepsis assessment are linked to transport planning and continued reassessment. Learners examine how evolving respiratory, circulatory, and neurologic findings influence care priorities. Emphasis remains on recognizing deterioration, evaluating treatment response, and maintaining appropriate precautions throughout the transfer.

Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for paramedics involved in critical care transport who are seeking a comprehensive review of infectious disease, infection prevention, and sepsis management. As Lesson 14 of the Critical Care Transport Review series, it supports recognition of infection-related deterioration and coordinated care of critically ill patients during transport.