Curriculum
The Cardiovascular Science/Perfusion Program is offered by Midwestern University at their Glendale Campus.
The curriculum consists of courses in perfusion technology, perfusion devices, anatomy, physiology, physiological management of bypass, ethics, pathology, cardiology and research.
The curriculum is a full-time professional program of seven continuous quarters. The program begins with three quarters of didactic and laboratory education. During this time, you will receive exposure to clinical medicine by clinical observation at affiliated hospitals in the Phoenix area.
Summer quarter of the student's second year begins the four-quarter clinical rotation segment that is held at affiliated hospitals throughout the region. The didactic and clinical faculty consists of perfusionists, anesthesiologists, cardiac surgeons and professional educators.
Your study will include:
- Extracorporeal circulation/cardiopulmonary support
- Counterpulsation
- Circulatory support/ventricular assistance
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
- Blood conservation techniques/autotransfusion
- Myocardial preservation
- Anticoagulation and hemotalogic monitoring/analysis
- Physiological monitoring/analysis
- Blood gas and blood chemistry monitoring/analysis
- Induction of hypothermia/hyperthermia with reversal
- Hemodilution
- Hemofiltration
- Administration of medications, blood components, and anesthetic agents via the extracorporeal circuit
- Documentation associated with described duties
Other areas of study may include:
- Isolated limb/organ perfusion
- Electrophysiological analysis
- Surgical assistance
- Organ preservation
- Dialysis
Several area hospitals and clinics serve as the practice and observation sites for Midwestern University's perfusion program. Students may request a practice site, but the program advisor makes the final assignments. Relocation during clinical rotation may be necessary. Annually, Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale can accommodate two to three perfusion students.
Through Mayo Clinic's well-planned and supervised rotations, you will gain perfusion experience in cardiac surgery at Mayo Clinic Hospital, where specialty surgical teams provide care to patients requiring heart repair surgery. Annually, Mayo Clinic Hospital performs approximately 250 open heart procedures.
Grading or evaluation
As you move through the perfusion rotations, your preceptor and faculty from Midwestern University will evaluate you in each main curriculum area.
Performance is evaluated using a competency-based evaluation system and performance appraisals.
Mayo School of Health Sciences uses evaluative tools that include:
- Demonstration of skills
- Self-assessment exercises
- Faculty reviews
Our system of evaluation provides students and faculty with a comprehensive understanding of individual performance.
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