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.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 01-05-24

The minimum mark for Assessment 2 Practical Assessment is missing from unit profile. The minimum mark criteria is as follows:

Assessment 2 Practical Assessment 
Minimum mark or grade:     A minimum of 50% must be achieved on this assessment to pass the unit

General Information

Overview

This unit will enable you to complete a detailed clinical assessment of cardiac patients, focusing on the use of 12-lead electrocardiographs (ECGs) as a diagnostic tool in pre-hospital care. You will study electrophysiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology to form provisional diagnoses, and implement treatment in a range of cardiovascular conditions. 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 practiced via simulation during practical sessions. This will allow you to contextualise your knowledge of coronary care in preparation for professional 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-requisites: PMSC12001 Procedures & Skills in Paramedic Care PMSC11004 Paramedic Medical Emergencies 1 BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 or BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2 Please note: Any student who has not successfully completed a PMSC residential school within the preceding 12 months must complete a PMSC12001 Procedures & Skills refresher. This ensures currency with all contemporary skills and procedures in line with industry standards and professional capabilities.

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 - 2024

Mixed Mode

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).

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. Online Test
Weighting: 10%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 60%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 30%

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 SUTE

Feedback

The online quiz ECG required scrolling to see and they needed more time to complete the quiz.

Recommendation

Re-format online quiz ECGs so the student doesn't need to scroll to see the whole ECG.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Multiple staff providing lectures was confusing and lacked consistency

Recommendation

Some lectures will need to be re done to provide lecturer consistency and limit confusion

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Provide more practices quizzes

Recommendation

Add multiple practice quizzes and case studies throughout the weekly content.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

The content was too heavy in the beginning weeks

Recommendation

The residential schools will be moved to later in the term which will allow the content to be spread across the term better.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

I strongly recommend that the training ambulance is bought out each week for residential schools as it is a great learning resource.

Recommendation

Set the use of the ambulances across the three campuses as a standard scenario format moving forward.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Apply evidence-based knowledge of pathophysiology to identify and differentiate between a broad range of cardiovascular conditions
  2. Accurately interpret ECGs and diagnose coronary conditions including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes
  3. Integrate comprehensive knowledge of current evidence-based practice to articulate and undertake appropriate clinical assessments, skills and interventions in the management of cardiovascular conditions
  4. Incorporate the principles of safe, professional, cultural safety and ethical practice as it relates to paramedicine.

It is a requirement of the Paramedicine Board of Australia that units align with the AHPRA professional capabilities for registered paramedics. These are broken down into five (5) domains. Below aligns the proposed learning outcomes with these domains. In addition, the learning outcomes have also been aligned with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.
 
 
 
 
Professional Capabilities for a registered Paramedic
 
 
 
 
The Paramedicine Board of Australia is responsible for assessing, consulting on and setting the standards for paramedics practicing in Australia. These standards and relevant domains are articulated in the Professional capabilities for registered paramedics document. The learning outcomes of the unit are matched to the relevant capabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Standard/Attribute/Criteria Learning Outcome
Domain 1: The professional and ethical practitioner 1.1.1, 1.1.3, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.1.9, 1.1.10, 1.1.11,1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.4.1, 1.4.2 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 2: The communicator and collaborator 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.42.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner 3.1.1, 3.1.23.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.5 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4, 3.4.4 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 4: The safety and risk management practitioner 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.34.2.1,4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3 4.5.2, 4.5.3 4.6.6, 4.7.2, 4.7.4, 4.7.8 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Domain 5: The paramedicine practitioner 5.1.15.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.3.5, 5.3.6 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.6, 5.6.1, 5.6.2, 5.6.3, 5.6.4 LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
 
 
 
 
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards developed in this unit are:
 
 
 
Standard Learning Outcomes
Partnering with Consumers LO2, LO3, LO4
Preventing and Controlling Infections LO3, LO4
Medication Safety LO3, LO4
Comprehensive Care LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Communicating for Safety LO3, LO4
Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration LO3, LO4

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 4
1 - Online Test - 10%
2 - Practical Assessment - 60%
3 - Online Test - 30%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
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
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation

Edition: 6th (2021)
Authors: Keith Wesley
Elsevier
St Louis St Louis , Missouri , USA
ISBN: 9780323711951
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

6th Edition is the latest, however any edition of this textbook will suffice. 

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
Sarah Lumley Unit Coordinator
s.lumley@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1- Module 1 Begin Date: 04 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology review.

Electrical Conduction System 

 

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 1

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines and Procedure

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2- Module 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

ECG Basics.

12 Lead ECG introduction and acquisition.

Systematic Approach to Electrocardiograms (ECG) Interpretation.

 

 

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 2, 3, 4, 12

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3- Module 1 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

ECG Rhythms: sinus and atrial rhythms, junctional rhythms, ventricular rhythms 

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8

 

 

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4- Module 1 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2024

Module/Topic

ECG Rhythms: AV blocks, Bundle Branch Blocks, STEMIs

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 9, 13, 15, 16

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine

Section 5.4

Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

 

Clinical Practice Procedure the Valsalva Manoeuver.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

ECG Rhythms: STEMI mimics, complex ECGs 

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 14, 15, 16, 

 

 

 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 08 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6- Module 2 Begin Date: 15 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Resuscitation

Coronary Artery Disease and ACS 

Pharmacology: GTN, Aspirin, Amiodarone, Adrenaline 

 

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 17

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines and Procedure

Events and Submissions/Topic

Opens: 0900 Monday 15th April


Closes: 0900 Monday 22nd April 

Week 7- Module 2 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

SVT and Valsalva 

Cardiogenic APO and Heart Failure & CPAP 

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 13,16,17.

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines, Procedures and Pharmacology's

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8- Module 3 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2024

Module/Topic

Myocardial Infarction

Thrombolysis

PCI

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 14, 15, 16, 17

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Events and Submissions/Topic

 

 

Week 9- Module 3 Begin Date: 06 May 2024

Module/Topic

Thrombolysis and pPCI guidelines, referral and consult processes.

Thrombolysis and pPCI checklists and associated pharmacology.

Chapter

Huszar's ECG and 12-Lead Interpretation;

Chapter 17

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines, Procedures and Pharmacology's 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential school 1: 7th- 10th May

Week 10 Begin Date: 13 May 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines, Procedures and Pharmacology's

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential school 2: 15th- 18th May

Week 11 Begin Date: 20 May 2024

Module/Topic

Critical thinking

Complex case studies

Chapter

Relevant Queensland Ambulance Service Digital Clinical Practice Manual

Clinical Practice Guidelines, Procedures and Pharmacology's

Events and Submissions/Topic

 

 

Week 12 Begin Date: 27 May 2024

Module/Topic

Review Content from semester

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 03 Jun 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Opens: 0900 Monday 3rd June

Closes: 0900 Monday 10th June

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

You will be required to complete an online test. This test will demonstrate your knowledge to interpret and correctly diagnose ECGs and will test your ability to apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system and other material covered in the first five weeks. 

Date: Online test will open on the 15th of April at 0900 and will close at 0900 on the 22nd of April. 


Assessment Due Date

22nd April 0900


Return Date to Students

Results from this assessment will be made available by no later than 13th May


Weighting
10%

Assessment Criteria

  • 60 minutes for online test
  • Please ensure that you read each question carefully.
  • There will be a combination of multiple choice and ECG interpretation questions.
  • You will only be given one attempt for the test.
  • Use of AI platforms, search engines, textbooks, etc. during the exam is considered cheating and will be managed accordingly. 
  • When the due date expires, any open attempts are automatically submitted; you must therefore start the quiz before that deadline, or you will not receive your full time period.
  • This is an individual assessment with no collaboration allowed.
  • For this assessment task no late submissions will be accepted and the test will close and become unavailable after the due date and time.
  • In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the test after this date.
    If you experience a technical issue you must notify the Unit Coordinators immediately.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

assessmentOutcome
  • Apply evidence-based knowledge of pathophysiology to identify and differentiate between a broad range of cardiovascular conditions
  • Accurately interpret ECGs and diagnose coronary conditions including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes


assessmentGradAttribute

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

You will be required to attend an assessment day at: your nominated residential school.

Your assessment tasks will consist of two simulation scenarios and an ECG exam. 

Simulation 1 will involve a 20 minute scenario of a commonly encountered pre-hospital cardiovascular emergency which will require you to assess and treat the patient according to your learnt practice. -25% 

Simulation 2 will involve a 15 minute scenario followed by a 5 minute voice viva specific to the scenario you will undertake. - 25% 

The ECG exam will be sat under exam conditions during the residential school and will heavily focus on 12 lead ECG interpretation of common pre-hospital ECGs.- 10%  

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

The Case Management Exercises (CMEs) will take the format of clinical scenarios (whole or in-part) 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 skills, 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. 

You need to meet a minimum pass mark of 50% (30/60) to pass this assessment overall. 


Assessment Due Date

Return Date to Students

Results from this assessment will be made available by no later than three weeks after the completion of all the residential schools


Weighting
60%

Assessment Criteria

  • You must achieve a cumulative mark of greater than 50% across the assessment tasks to pass this assessment.
  • Multiple scoring tools/rubrics will be utilised, based on the format of the assessment task. The scoring tools/rubrics for each assessment are validated and reliable.
  • Assessments will be moderated by the Unit Coordinator and therefore finalisation of grades will not be made available at the completion of your all assessment day/s or residential school until moderation is completed


Referencing Style

Submission

No submission method provided.


assessmentOutcome
  • Accurately interpret ECGs and diagnose coronary conditions including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes
  • Integrate comprehensive knowledge of current evidence-based practice to articulate and undertake appropriate clinical assessments, skills and interventions in the management of cardiovascular conditions
  • Incorporate the principles of safe, professional, cultural safety and ethical practice as it relates to paramedicine.


assessmentGradAttribute

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

You will be required to complete an online test at the completion of the semester. This test will demonstrate your knowledge to interpret and correctly diagnose ECGs and will test your ability to apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, diagnose and treat patients with commonly encountered cardiovascular conditions and appropriately and demonstrate a solid understanding of the pharmacological agents use to treat cardiovascular emergencies.  

Date: Online test will open on the 3rd of June at 0900 and close on the 10th of June at 0900. 

 


Assessment Due Date

Exam Week Monday (10 June 2024) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Results from this assessment will be made available by no later than 1st July.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • You have 60 minutes for the online test
  • Please ensure that you read each question carefully.
  • There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, case study and ECG interpretation questions.
  • You will only be given one attempt for the test.
  • When the due date expires, any open attempts are automatically submitted; you must therefore start the quiz before that deadline, or you will not receive your full time period.
  • This is an individual assessment with no collaboration allowed.
  • Use of AI platforms, search engines, textbooks, etc. during the exam is considered cheating and will be managed accordingly. 
  • For this assessment task no late submissions will be accepted and the test will close and become unavailable after the due date and time.
  • In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the test after this date.
    If you experience a technical issue you must notify the Unit Coordinators immediately.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

assessmentOutcome
  • Apply evidence-based knowledge of pathophysiology to identify and differentiate between a broad range of cardiovascular conditions
  • Accurately interpret ECGs and diagnose coronary conditions including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes
  • Integrate comprehensive knowledge of current evidence-based practice to articulate and undertake appropriate clinical assessments, skills and interventions in the management of cardiovascular conditions
  • Incorporate the principles of safe, professional, cultural safety and ethical practice as it relates to paramedicine.


assessmentGradAttribute

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?