CQUniversity Unit Profile
PMSC12004 Advanced Electrophysiology and Coronary Care
Advanced Electrophysiology and Coronary Care
All details in this unit profile for PMSC12004 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit will enable you to complete detailed clinical assessments and examination of cardiac patients, focusing on the use of 12-lead electrocardiograms as a diagnostic tool in emergency care. You will study the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of cardiac and cardiorespiratory conditions, including acute coronary syndromes, cardiac failure, and cardiac arrest. Practical coronary care skills such as defibrillation and 12 lead ECG acquisition will be taught in this unit. Problem-based case management and clinical interventions are practised in the high-fidelity simulation environment during the residential school, allowing you to contextualise your knowledge of coronary care in preparation for decision-supported thrombolysis in paramedic practice.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite - PMSC11002 and BMSC11002 Co-requisite - PMSC12001

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2021

Cairns
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Townsville

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 50%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation

Feedback

Students appreciated weekly Zoom session for ECG diagnosis

Recommendation

Continue Zoom sessions dedicated to ECG diagnosis.

Feedback from Unit Evaluation

Feedback

Students would appreciate more case studies and practical examples.

Recommendation

Design and develop case studies and scenario examples for future offerings.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply evidence-based knowledge of pathophysiology to differentiate between a broad range of cardiorespiratory conditions
  2. Accurately interpret ECGs to diagnose coronary conditions including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes
  3. Integrate comprehensive knowledge of current evidence-based practice to articulate and/or undertake clinical assessment, skills and interventions in the management of cardiorespiratory conditions.

Justification for this unit is strongly influenced by industry feedback on first CQUniversity graduate paramedics. By increasing the paramedic-specific focus of this unit the graduates will be better prepared for independent on-road practice without additional educational support from the ambulance services.

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Written Assessment - 50%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 50%
2 - Practical Assessment - 0%
3 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation

5th Edition (2017)
Authors: Keith Wesley
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 978-0-323-35575-9
Binding: Paperback

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Hodgetts Unit Coordinator
a.hodgetts@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 08 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology review.

Cardiac arrest management.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 1, 2, 3,


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 15 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

ECG Basics.

12 Lead ECG introduction and acquisition.



Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 12


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 22 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Systematic Approach to ECG Interpretation.

Sinus and Atrial rhythms.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 5, 6, 11


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 29 Mar 2021

Module/Topic

Junctional Rhythms & Atrio-Ventricular Blocks.

The Valsalva manoeuvre.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 7, 9 & 11


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 05 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Ventricular Rhythms & Bundle Branch Blocks.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 8, 11 & 13


Events and Submissions/Topic

Written assessment Part A due 5 pm Friday.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 19 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Coronary Heart Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes Part 1.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 15, 16, 17


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 7 Begin Date: 26 Apr 2021

Module/Topic

Coronary Heart Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes Part 2.

Heart Failure and CPAP

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 15, 16, 17


Events and Submissions/Topic

Written assessment Part B due 5 pm Friday.


Written Assessment Due: Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Begin Date: 03 May 2021

Module/Topic

Coronary Heart Disease and Acute Coronary Syndromes Part 3.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 15, 16, 17


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 10 May 2021

Module/Topic

Other ECG findings.

CCP/ICP/MICA interventions.

Chapter

Huzar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 14


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 17 May 2021

Module/Topic

Self Directed Learning

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 24 May 2021

Module/Topic

Self directed learning.

Exam revision

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 31 May 2021

Module/Topic

Exam revision.

Self directed learning.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practical Assessment Due: Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Jun 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

Students enrolled as On-campus will be required to attend compulsory tutorial sessions during the term. Students must nominate their preferred tutorial location and time via the student portal. Tutorial numbers are capped per session, you are not guaranteed a place at your preferred session, but you are guaranteed one session per week.

Students enrolled as Distance will be required to attend a compulsory residential school. Students must nominate their preferred residential school location via the student portal. Numbers at residential schools are capped and a position at your preferred residential school is not guaranteed. Geographical proximity to and/or previous attendance at a residential school location does not guarantee placement at your preferred residential school location.

Attendance at internal tutorials and residential schools is compulsory. If for any reason you cannot attend a tutorial or day at residential school you must provide appropriate evidence, as per Assessment Policy and Procedure, to justify your absence. You will be responsible for making arrangements, with the unit coordinator, to make up for the missed learning and teaching.

For the purpose of course accreditation, the Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines for Adult and Paediatric Cardiac Arrest and Advanced Life Support will be taught in this unit and used as the standard for assessment. The Queensland Ambulance Service Clinical Practice Manual will be used to teach and assess relevant skills, procedures and pharmacology pertinent to this unit.


Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment

Task Description

There are two (2) components to this assessment: 

Part A – Assessment Proposal

You are required to choose one topic, from a list available on the Moodle page, and submit a proposal for your discussion (Part B). The word limit for your assignment proposal is 500 words (+/- 10%). The proposal should include a brief description of your topic and its relevance and/or implications for paramedic practice. You must also provide a brief explanation of why you chose this particular topic. Finally, you must outline where and how you will source relevant academic literature pertinent to your topic and you must provide a preliminary reference list of no less than 5 recent peer-reviewed scientific journal articles published after 2010.

Part B – Discussion

You are required to expand upon your initial assignment proposal and write a critical clinical review of the current research surrounding your topic. You will need to research evidence-based, peer-reviewed literature and discuss the strengths and/or weaknesses in the current research on your topic. You will use this evidence to formulate an argument for or against your chosen topic and its place in contemporary paramedic practice. The word count for this assessment is 1500 word (+/- 10%).


Assessment Due Date

Week 7 Friday (30 Apr 2021) 5:00 pm AEST

Part A is due 5pm Friday of Week 4, Part B is due 5pm Friday of Week 7.


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Friday (14 May 2021)


Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Criteria

Please write your assessment using the following style and format and then upload it to the PMSC12004 Moodle page under Assessment 1: Written Assessment link in the Assessment tab.

Presentation:

Your assessment should be formatted on A4 International Standard paper with margins of 2.54cm. Arial font and size set to 12 point, and line spacing should be set to 1.5.

Only submissions in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx) will be accepted.

Format:

Cover page: a cover page must be included for each part of this assessment, in the following format:

· Assessment name

· Unit number and name (PMSC12004 Advanced Electrophysiology and Coronary Care)

· Your Name

· Student Number

· Word count (not including cover page, headings and references)

· Assessment due date (If you have an approved extension this needs to be noted here)

Part A: Assessment Proposal

Part A is worth 10 marks. The word limit is 500 words (+/- 10%, not including cover page, headings or references). The assessment will be marked against a rubric, which will be available on the Moodle page. You must provide a reference list of no less than 5 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles published after 2010. You may also reference Australian and/or New Zealand ambulance service guidelines and expert textbooks and websites, as appropriate. The assessment must be referenced in the APA style.

In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assessment will be deducted for each full or part calendar day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with Assessment Policy and Procedure.

Part B: Discussion

Part B is worth 40 marks. The word limit is 1500 words (+/- 10%), not including cover page, headings or references. The assessment will be marked against a rubric, which will be available on the Moodle page. You must provide a reference list of no less than 10 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles published after 2010, including the references from Part A.

In the absence of an approved extension, a penalty of 5% of the total marks for the assessment will be deducted for each full or part calendar day the assessment is overdue, in accordance with Assessment Policy and Procedure.

The marks from Part A and Part B will be totalled, adjusted and recorded as a mark out of 100, as per Assessment Policy and Procedure.

The pass mark for this assessment is 50%


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Only submissions in Microsoft Word format will be accepted (.doc or .docx files)

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply evidence-based knowledge of pathophysiology to differentiate between a broad range of cardiorespiratory conditions


Graduate Attributes
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

You will be required to attend an assessment day/s at: your nominated campus for Internal students, or at your nominated residential school for Distance students.

Your assessment tasks will consist of one (1) written examination and three (3) Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs). The format of the OSCEs will include a Long Case Management Exercise, a Short Case Management Exercise and a Viva Voce.

All assessment tasks align with the learning outcomes for this unit, as described in the Unit Profile.

The written examination will be delivered on the morning of the internal assessment day or the morning of the first day of residential school. The written examination will consist of multiple-choice and short answer questions related to any topic or material covered throughout the unit.

The Case Management Exercises (CMEs) will take the format of clinical scenarios designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of any topic or material covered throughout the unit by means of structured, simulated patient interactions. Furthermore, the CMEs are designed to assess your ability to perform a thorough and accurate patient assessment and use this information to formulate a provisional diagnosis. In combination with your patient assessment and provisional diagnosis, you will be required to implement appropriate and timely clinical interventions, procedures and/or skills commensurate with your current scope of practice. Scene management and effective communication skill, including the ability to deliver a clinical handover to a senior clinician (i.e. CCP/ICP/MICA) or other health care professionals, will also be assessed.

The Viva Voce is a verbal or interview style assessment where you will be required to answer a series of questions to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the material covered throughout the unit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (4 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST

Assessments will be carried out during the residential school or during internal assessment days


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)

Formal feedback will be provided to students within two weeks after the assessments take place


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50

Assessment Criteria

The practical assessment is a pass/fail assessment. You must achieve a cumulative mark of greater than 50% across all four (4) assessment tasks to pass this assessment.

The written examination will be worth 20% of the overall marks, the Long CME will be worth 30% of the overall marks and the Short CME and Viva Voce are worth 25% each of the overall marks.

Multiple scoring tools/rubrics will be utilised, based on the format of the OSCE. The scoring tools/rubrics for each assessment are validated and reliable.

Assessments will be moderated by the Unit Coordinator and therefore feedback will not be made available at the completion of your assessment day/s or residential school.

Critical errors in this unit will be classed as anything, by act or omission that: causes immediate harm or has the potential to cause harm to yourself, partner, patient or bystanders and/or any procedure/skill or pharmacology administered, that is performed outside your scope of practice.

During any form of assessment, if any of the following critical errors are witnessed the assessment will continue and be moderated. Upon review and confirmation of a critical error, no marks will be awarded for that assessment item. Furthermore, any critical error discovered on review or moderation will result in no marks being awarded for that assessment item.

Critical errors are as follows:

· Unsafe defibrillation

· Incorrect joules delivered during defibrillation

· Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm

· Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest within one (1) minute

· Failure to defibrillate a shockable rhythm within two (2) minutes

· Failure to perform a complete drug check, including determining indications and all contraindications

· Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp

· Performing a skill or procedure outside your scope of practice taught to you in PMSC11002, PMSC12001 or PMSC12004

· Administering pharmacology outside your scope of practice, or administering an incorrect drug or drug dose

· Any grossly unsafe practice, as determined by the assessing academic

If you do not understand any of the above, please clarify with your unit coordinator.

Failure to attempt/undertake an assessment task will result in a fail for this assessment.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Accurately interpret ECGs to diagnose coronary conditions including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes
  • Integrate comprehensive knowledge of current evidence-based practice to articulate and/or undertake clinical assessment, skills and interventions in the management of cardiorespiratory conditions.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Ethical practice

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?