The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

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Anesthesia and Critical Care

Anesthesia/Critical Care 4th Year ICU elective
ANCC 34400 | 50 Units

• Elective Type: Clinical
• Location on first day: G-420
• Last Reviewed: February 15, 2008

Overview

This course is an introduction for Fourth year students to surgical critical care. Students choosing this elective can spend either 2 or 4 weeks on either the Cardiothoracic (CT) ICU or the Burn Unit (BU), or shift back and forth between them. ICU assignment will be determined by DACC staff based on student preference and service workloads. The care team in both the BU and CT units include Anesthesia residents, Surgery residents, ICU fellows, and the Anesthesia/Critical Care attending. Regardless where the student is assigned, he/she will participate actively in the care of critically ill patients. The student is expected to become an integral member of the ICU service. They are expected to follow at least one patient and assume as much responsibility for the care of that patient as they are able. Students on this rotation are expected to attend both morning and afternoon rounds, as well as a variety of care and teaching conferences associated with the work in these units. Clinical teaching in the ICU is centered on the management of organ system failure, including circulatory failure, respiratory failure, renal failure, and others (management of lines, fluids, pressors, invasive monitoring, respiratory failure, sepsis, nutrition, and sedation). Anesthesia specific topics including transport of critically ill patients, airway management, and pain control may also be addressed. Students will have the opportunity to participate in procedures) such as central/arterial line placement, central line changes, IV placement, and chest tube removal) as time, circumstance, and their level of competence permit. There is no mandatory overnight call responsibility, but students are be expected to participate every weekday and 1 weekend day per week. Time off may be arranged with the consent of the ICU Attending. Each student will be expected to prepare and deliver a brief discussion of a selected research article relevant to critical care or topic. Examples of such topics in the past include perioperative beta blockade, atrial fibrillation in the ICU, and ventricular assist devices. The ICU fellow and/or attending will assist with preparation. At the end of the rotation, students will be expected to be able to effectively present critically ill patients at ICU rounds, synthesize historical, laboratory, and examination findings, and devise a basic diagnostic and therapeutic plan for the patient. They are also expected to learn basic blood gas and acid-base analysis, basic respiratory and cardiovascular management (including the rational use of mechanical ventilation and pressors). Evaluations will be based on degree of participation, and mastery of expectations as described above.

Objectives

Understand the pathophysiology and management of circulatory failure, respiratory failure, renal failure, sepsis and other organ system failures and complications of critical illness. Develop an organized approach to the ICU patient, including respiratory failure, invasive monitoring, hemodynamic instability, pain, and sedation. Gain familiarity with procedures. Recognize critical events and learn to prioritize problems.

Evaluation

The student will receive a composite narrative based upon the feedback of the primary residents and Anesthesia/Critical Care attending. The student will be assessed on clinical performance, application of medical knowledge, quality of presentation, and degree of participation.

Time Offered:

Two week course, offered the 1st-15th OR the 16th-last day of the month during the following months...

• January
• February
• March
• April
• May
• June
• July
• August
• September
• October
• November
• December

Schedule Notes

Two slots per month except for April and September, during which there will be 1 slot. This limitation is because the Burn Unit is typically less busy during these months.

Will be offered as a 2 or 4 week rotation all months of the year. One weekend day per week (typically morning to early afternoon). No mandatory overnight call.

Pritzer students take priority over non-Pritzer students. No non-Pritzer students for 2 week option. Students may, with permission, extend the course to 1 month at 100 credits.

Course Limitations and Prerequisites

Maximum Students Enrolled: 2

Eligibility:

Fourth year

Visiting Student (from LCME Accredited Medical Schools Only)

Prerequisites:

None