Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

About this course

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): Recognition and Evidence-Based Management




Course Overview
Recognize ARDS early, apply contemporary diagnostic criteria, interpret oxygenation severity, and select evidence-based respiratory support strategies. This case-based course is designed for healthcare professionals working in emergency, anesthesia, inpatient, and critical care settings.



Full Course Description
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening form of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure caused by diffuse inflammatory lung injury. This course uses a Blue Health Ethiopia virtual seminar led by Dr. Kirubel Teshome as the core learning resource and converts it into an interactive clinical learning experience. Learners review pathophysiology and risk factors, distinguish ARDS from common mimics, apply global diagnostic criteria, calculate PaO₂/FiO₂ and SpO₂/FiO₂ ratios, and make initial management decisions using lung-protective ventilation, appropriate PEEP, prone positioning, and escalation pathways. Special attention is given to application in resource-variable and high-altitude settings.



Key Topics & Competencies:
✔ Pathophysiology & Risk Factors ✔ Distinguishing ARDS Mimics ✔ Global Diagnostic Criteria ✔ PaO₂/FiO₂ & SpO₂/FiO₂ Ratios ✔ Lung-Protective Ventilation ✔ PEEP & Prone Positioning ✔ Escalation Pathways ✔ Resource-Variable Settings

What you'll be able to do