DMS 107 Essentials in Patient Care/Sonography

This introductory course covers patient care skills necessary to perform diagnostic sonographic procedures on all patient populations in the field.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Prerequisite: ENG 101, BIO 120, (MAT 162 or higher), PHY 111

See Course Syllabus

Course Number and Title:

DMS 107 Essentials in Patient Care/Sonography

Campus Location

  • Georgetown
  • Wilmington

Effective Date

202351

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ENG 101, BIO 120, (MAT 162 or higher), PHY 111

Course Credits and Hours

3 credit(s)

3 lecture hours/week

1 lab hours/week

Course Description

This introductory course covers patient care skills necessary to perform diagnostic sonographic procedures on all patient populations in the field.

Additional Materials

None

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Disclaimer

None

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professions to effectively communicate and collaborate in the healthcare environment. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; PGC 2)
  2. Demonstrate appropriate ergonomic techniques to safely move and reposition patients. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4; PGC 1, 4)
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and application of patient care. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; PGC 2, 4)
  4. Obtain and interpret vital signs. (CCC 1, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 1, 2, 4)
  5. Demonstrate knowledge and application of types and methods of infection control. (CCC 1, 3, 4; PGC 1, 3)
  6. Identify emergency situations encountered in the healthcare environment. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; PGC 1, 2, 3, 4)
  7.  Acquire cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification skills at the healthcare provider level. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; PGC 1, 2, 3, 4)
  8. Identify the importance of chemical hygiene in the health environment. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5; PGC 2, 4)
  9. Discuss the history and basic principles of diagnostic medical sonography. (CCC 1, 5; PGC 2)
  10. Discuss the role of diagnostic medical sonography as an imaging modality. (CCC 1, 3, 5; PGC 2, 3)
  11. Discuss the role of the diagnostic medical sonographer with regard to ethical practices and legal standards. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 1, 2, 3, 4)

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professions to effectively communicate and collaborate in the healthcare environment.
    1. Discuss the responsibilities of the healthcare facility and medical team with respect to caring for the ill and trauma patients, promoting health, preventing disease, education, and research.
    2. Describe the appropriate methods for verifying proper patient identification.
    3. Describe and simulate appropriate methods of greeting a patient.
    4.  Describe the sections of the medical chart and what information is contained in each.
    5. Describe the purpose and contents of the Patient Care Partnership and Patient Directives.
    6. Describe the purpose and contents of the Patient's Bill of Rights.
    7. Discuss types of conflict in the workplace and different techniques to resolve these conflicts.
    8. Discuss Health Information Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) in regards to disclosure procedures, patient rights, and security standards.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate ergonomic techniques to safely move and reposition patients. 
    1. Discuss industry standards and OSHA guidelines
    2. Describe the types of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
    3. Discuss the role of administration in the prevention of MSI.
    4. Discuss the role of the Sonographer in the prevention of MSI.
    5. Describe and demonstrate safe and sound principles of body mechanics using best practices for prevention of MSI.
      1. Daily exercise in the workplace
      2. Neutral posture
      3. Patient positioning
      4. Equipment and accessories
      5. Supports, tools and devices
      6. Transducer grip and pressure
      7. Schedules/Workload
      8. Workstation/Work area(s)
    6. Demonstrate techniques for various types of patient transfers using proper body mechanics:
      1. Wheelchair transfers
      2. Stretcher/bed transfers
    7. Demonstrate techniques for transporting and transferring of patients with support equipment.
      1. Oxygen
      2. Intravenous lines/pumps
      3. Urinary catheters
      4. Drainage tubes
    8. Describe and demonstrate the procedures for turning and positioning patients with various conditions:
      1. Severe trauma
      2. Unconsciousness
      3. Disorientation
      4. Amputation
  3. Demonstrate knowledge and application of patient care.
    1. Discuss compliance with program and clinical education facility policies and procedures.
    2. Describe the aspects of patient comfort, including support, warmth, and privacy, and discuss the importance of each to the care and safety of the patient.
    3. Discuss various aspects of general patient care given specific patient populations:
      1. Trauma
      2. Pediatrics
      3. Geriatrics
      4. Physically handicapped
      5. Emotionally disturbed
      6. Cultural competency 
  4. Obtain and interpret vital signs.
    1. Explain and discuss the significance of each vital sign in the assessment of patient condition, including temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
    2. Explain the physiological principles related to temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
    3. Identify normal values for clinical measurement of temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure.
    4. Discuss the use and maintenance of equipment used for measuring vital signs.
    5. Measure and record each of the vital signs given a simulated patient.
    6. Explain the importance of skin color and skin integrity.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge and application of types and methods of infection control.
    1. Define each of the following:
      1. infectious pathogens
      2. communicable diseases
      3. nosocomial infections
      4. Center for Disease Control (CDC)
      5. human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
      6. hepatitis B virus (HBV)
    2. Describe and demonstrate the use of standard precautions, isolation, and guided procedures for sonographers, patients, and the environment:
      1. Precautions for blood, body fluids, and secretions
      2. Isolation for respiratory tract-air borne and burn patients
      3. Demonstrate knowledge of sonographer’s role during guided procedures to include: clinical information, informed consent, procedural time out, transducer guidance, sterile set up and pre-and post- procedural documentation.
      4. Describe and demonstrate the use of aseptic and sterile techniques.
      5. Describe the procedures for cleaning and disinfecting laboratory equipment, transducers, and accessories.
    3. Describe sources and modes for transmission of infections and diseases:
      1. Infectious sources (bacteria and virus)
      2. Transmission modes (airborne, direct contact, and indirect contact) and disease prevention
    4. Describe Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) procedures for infection control through standard precautions.
    5. Discuss psychological considerations for the management of patients using standard precautions.
  6. Identify emergency situations encountered in the healthcare environment.
    1. Identify signs and symptoms that are manifested in the following emergencies:
      1. cardiac arrest
      2. anaphylactic shock
      3. convulsion/seizure
      4. hemorrhage
      5. apnea
      6. vomiting
      7. aspiration
      8. suspected/confirmed fractures
      9. diabetic coma/insulin shock
    2. Describe the emergency medical code system and discuss the role of the student in this procedure as permitted by institutional policy, including the following:
      1. Pertinent patient care procedures
      2. Principles of psychological support
      3. Emergency conditions and procedures
      4. First aid and resuscitation techniques
    3. Discuss cardiopulmonary resuscitation, hemorrhage control, and suction as acute care procedures.
    4. Discuss the use of medical emergency equipment and supplies:
      1. oxygen
      2. aspirator
      3. resuscitator
      4. medications
      5. emergency cart
  7. Acquire cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification skills at the healthcare provider level.
    1. Successfully complete a CPR course at the healthcare provider level.
  8. Identify the importance of chemical hygiene in the health environment.
    1. Discuss the Right-to-Know Law.
    2. Discuss employees’ and students’ rights and obligations.
    3. Identify a workplace chemical list.
    4. Interpret labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS).
    5. Discuss physical and health hazards of chemicals.
    6. Explain proper handling, storage, and disposal practices.
    7. Use protective measures.
  9. Discuss the history and basic principles of diagnostic medical sonography.
    1. Relate the evolution of diagnostic medical sonography as an imaging modality.
    2. Describe the nature of sound and its effect on body tissues.
    3. Describe common artifacts encountered during ultrasound exams.
    4. Explain basic physics concepts that support ultrasound imaging and acquisition.
  10. Discuss the role of diagnostic medical sonography as an imaging modality.
    1. Describe the efficacy of diagnostic medical sonography in healthcare.
    2. Explain bio-effects consideration for the safety of diagnostic ultrasound.
    3. Discuss the advantages of ultrasound imaging.
    4. Discuss the disadvantages and limitations of ultrasound imaging.
    5. Explain future applications and works in progress.
    6. Discuss the importance of ergonomically correct scanning techniques.
    7. Demonstrate knowledge of medical and sonographic terminology including:
      1. definitions, abbreviations, symbols, terms and phrases
      2. correlating diagnostic and imaging procedures
      3. sonographic appearances
  11. Discuss the role of the diagnostic medical sonographer with regard to ethical practices and legal standards.
    1. Discuss the need for professional credibility and adherence to ethical standards in the practice of medical sonography.
    2. Discuss the Code of Conduct for the profession.
    3. Discuss the Scope of Practice as it distinguishes the diagnostic medical sonographer from other healthcare professionals.
    4. Discuss educational opportunities and credentialing and continuing education requirements, and explain the benefits for a sonographer/technologist.
    5. Discuss and define terminology related to ethics, values, and morals.

    6. Discuss proper transmission of electronic documentation/information. 

    7. Discuss the use of patient evaluation measures:

      1. Patient identification

        1. Double identifier

        2. Time out

      2. Informed consent

    8. Discuss compliance regulations relating to the patient’s rights to privacy based on applicable legal and regulatory standards.

    9. Discuss the documentation procedures of clinical incidents.

    10. Discuss pertinent legal principles and types of law.

    11. Discuss the relationship between healthcare quality, risk management, and medical malpractice liability.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
0-69 = F
Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

Evaluation Measure

Percentage of final grade

Tests (4 @ 20% each) (Summative)

80%

Poster Project (Formative)

5%

Written Paper/Presentation (Summative)

15%

           TOTAL

100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

  1. AHTAASDMO

  2. Graduates will demonstrate clinical competence by performing a full range of diagnostic medical sonography procedures on all patient populations pertaining to their learning concentration.
  3. Graduates will professionally utilize verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills in patient care, procedure intervention, and professional relationships.
  4. Graduates will demonstrate professional growth and development by acting in a professional and ethical manner and comply with the professional scope of practice.
  5. Graduates will integrate critical thinking and problem solving skills as expected of a healthcare professional.
  6.  

    AHTAASDMS

  7. Perform competently a full range of diagnostic medical sonographic procedures pertaining to their learning concentration.
  8. Utilize professional verbal, nonverbal, and written communication skills in patient care, procedure intervention, and professional relationships.
  9. Act in a professional and ethical manner and comply with professional scope of practice.
  10. Integrate critical thinking and problem solving skills as expected of a healthcare professional.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

Minimum Technology Requirements

Minimum technology requirements for online, hybrid, video conferencing and web conferencing courses.