Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater is an easy 20 mile drive from Tampa International Airport and even closer to Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport. The beach boasts sugar white sands that you will only experience here. Whether your pleasure is world-class fishing charters, relaxing on the beach, unique food and beverage experiences, or visiting one of many spas, there is something for everyone.

Visit Clearwater Marina, where you can take a sunset sail, dinner cruise, dolphin excursion or go deep sea fishing. Visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, go kayaking to Caledesi Island or play a round of golf—the opportunities are endless. Visit Pier 60 for one of the nightly sunset celebrations featuring artisans and street performers, rent fishing gear and cast a line, or let the kids explore the playground.

Even with all the activities Clearwater Beach has to offer, the best part of your trip might be as simple as a stroll on the beach at sunset, but if you want more, you’ll be just a short drive away from many other popular Florida attractions, like Lowry Park Zoo or Busch Gardens in Tampa, or the Salvador Dali or Chihuly Art Museums in St. Petersburg.

Opal Sol Resort

Opal Sol is Clearwater Beach’s newest luxury resort with Gulf-front views guaranteed! Hinging around a pedestrian-friendly beach boardwalk with easy access to Clearwater's top activities and attractions, it's easy to venture out to explore Pier 60, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, local museums, shopping, dining, and much more. With one of the most legendary sunsets on the Gulf, Clearwater Beach is a lively coastal city offering a captivating blend of adventure and culture.

Upon arrival, guests will revel in the resort’s panoramic water views and a fresh, contemporary design that reflects a beach-chic atmosphere. Soak up the sun and take a dip in one of three zero-entry outdoor pools or in the hot tub. Refresh your senses with a day of pampering at the full-service Opal Sol spa or stay on track in the fitness center. Relish in upscale waterfront dining at one of three restaurants and lounges, or unwind with handcrafted cocktails at the pool bar while watching the sun set over the Gulf.

All guest rooms offer a serene beachfront escape, complete with plush beds, flat-screen TVs, and large balconies that boast dramatic views of the Gulf and awe-inspiring sunsets.

Opal Sol is located approximately 21 miles from Tampa International Airport (TAP) and 13 miles from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Parking at Opal Sol is Valet only, discounted to $20 per night for those who book their room through NWS/NWWT group reservation methods only (otherwise, valet parking is approx. $40 per night). Self-parking is not available. Parking fees subject to change without notice.

Contact us here or call (800) 222-6927 • (509) 547-7065
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TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is designed for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and all other medical care providers who must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of the critical care specialty or are impacted by it.

PROGRAM PURPOSE

The practitioner of critical care medicine must possess the scientific background for clinical practice; maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of not only the specialty, but also of all additional related disciplines which may impact it; maintain an up-to-the-minute armamentarium of knowledge and skills for the selection and use of complex equipment, pharmacological agents, and procedures necessary for the provision of quality patient care; manage self and colleagues to function toward common goals in the clinical setting, clinical and educational institutions, and the community in which the practice resides; serve as an expert in matters involving health care delivery; serve as an informed manager of clinical and educational services provided, including the acquisition and distribution of resources necessary in meeting professional goals; and provide assistance with and support of other service providers, departments, institutions, and organizations dependent upon the professional expertise of the practitioner.

Presentations are designed to facilitate the healthcare provider maintaining skills of the same kind to review and update knowledge and abilities in one or more of these areas vital to the practicing professional. 

OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant will be able to:

Apply the pertinent physical and behavioral sciences as they impact and are affected by the planning, delivery, and monitoring of critical care services.

Explain the selection, dosing considerations with methods of administration, safe use, and contraindications and precautions of drugs based on their chemical and pharmacologic properties.

Outline comprehensive management plans for the group of patients discussed, whether related in age, physical status, cultural background, invasive procedure, anesthetic or analgesic requirements, clinical setting, adverse reactions, and/or goals of care.

Apply the principles of safety and asepsis in the performance of all aspects of patient care regardless of the clinical environment in which the practice resides.

Incorporate the appropriate recommendations and/or requirements of pertinent external organizations, institutions, and professional groups in the provision of critical care services, whether medical, legal, philosophical, ethical, or health care management standards.
  

Critical Care: The Team Approach
Clearwater Beach, Florida
July 15-18, 2025

Tuesday, July 15

  0700 Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
  0725 Welcome NWS Staff
  0730 Recognition and Management of Acute Respiratory Failure R.Balk
  0830 Definition and Management Strategies for ARDS R.Balk
  0930 Break
  0945 Airway Issues in the ICU R.Barraco
  1045 Care of the Geriatric Surgical Patient R.Barraco
  1145 Ventilator Waveforms A.Vinayak
  1245 Adjourn
     

Wednesday, July 16

  0700 Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
  0730 Lung Ultrasound A.Vinayak
  0830 Noninvasive Hemodynamic Monitoring A.Vinayak
  0930 Break
  0945 Diagnosis and Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock R.Balk
  1045 Diagnosis and Treatment of Hospital-Acquired and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia R.Balk
  1145 Pregnancy and Trauma R.Barraco
  1245 Adjourn
     

Thursday, July 17

  0700 Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
  0730 Palliative Care in the ICU R.Barraco
  0830 Ethics in the ICU R.Barraco
  0930 Break
  0945 Update on Sedation and Delirium A.Vinayak
  1045 Endocrine Emergencies A.Vinayak
  1145 Preventing Complications in the Critically Ill Patient R.Balk
  1245 Adjourn
     

Friday, July 18

  0700 Registration - Mandatory Sign In - Continental Breakfast
  0730 Cardiopulmonary Considerations in SAH A.Vinayak
  0830 Management of Acute Ischemic CVA A.Vinayak
  0930 Break
  0945 Pulmonary Embolism R.Balk
  1045 Nutrition in the Critically Ill Patient R.Barraco
  1145 Thoracic Trauma R.Barraco
  1245 Adjourn  
   

20 CME

20 Class A CE

20 CE

2.5 Pharmacology Hours†

 
Refreshments served at the meeting are for registered attendees only.
Rev. 7/1/24

FACULTY

Robert A. Balk, MD, MACP, MCCM, FCCP, FAARC
Professor of Medicine - Rush Medical Collage
Associate CMO for Critical Care
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois

Robert D. Barraco, MD, MPH, FACS, FCCP
Chief Academic Officer
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Associate Dean for Educational Affairs
Professor of Surgery, Acute Care Surgery
USF Morsani College of Medicine - Lehigh Valley
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Ajeet G. Vinayak, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director Medical Intensive Care Unit
Medstar Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

PROGRAM COORDINATOR
(non-speaking role)

Stuart Lowson, BSc, MBBs, MRCP, FRCA
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Co-Director Surgical Trauma ICU
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 

ACCREDITATION

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars designates this live activity for a maximum of 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Board of Anesthesiology: This activity contributes to the CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology’s redesigned Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology™ (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®. Please consult the ABA website, www.theABA.org, for a list of all MOCA 2.0® requirements.

Canadian Physicians: This activity is eligible for Section 1 credits in the Royal College’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program. Participants must log into MAINPORT to claim this activity.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology for 20 Class A CE credits; AANA approval number 1044494; Expiration Date 07/18/2025.

Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accept CME from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Osteopathic Physicians: This program is eligible for Category 2 credit with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may receive a maximum of 20 hours of Category I credit for completing this program.

Registered Nurses: NWAS/NWS is an approved provider of the AR, DC, FL, GA, KS, KY, MI, MS, NH, NM, ND, SC, WV, and WY nursing boards. Provider number: 50-7480

The AANA is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP #10862.

This program offers 20 contact hours.

†Pharmacology hours subject to change.

COURSE DIRECTOR

Mark T. Murphy, MD, MSN Education, LLC, Treasure Island, Florida, Medical Director, Northwest Seminars, Pasco, Washington

SCHEDULE AND FACULTY CHANGES

Factors beyond our control sometimes necessitate changes in the schedule and faculty. If time permits, we will inform all registrants of any changes prior to the program. Changes on site due to local conditions will be announced in class.

COURSE CANCELLATION BY PROVIDER

We reserve the right to cancel a course for any reason. In such case, a minimum of days notice will be given to those registered and 100% of tuition paid will be refunded. NWAS/NWS and NWWT will not be responsible for any non-refundable airfare, hotel, or other liabilities you may incur. We highly recommend purchase of travel insurance. Travel at your own risk.

COURSE CANCELLATION FEE

$100 May 16, 2025 to June 15, 2025. No refund after June 15, 2025; however, 50% of tuition paid may be applied toward tuition for another NWS/NWAS program within the next 12 months. Cancellation must be made in writing. No tuition credit or refund will be issued for attendees that are no-shows for the program.

FAP (Frequent Attendee Points)

We value your patronage and have a simple program to reward you. Our Frequent Attendee Points (FAP) program gives you an added bonus for money spent on our seminars, as well as cruise cabins booked through our in-house travel agency, Northwest Worldwide Travel.

You are automatically enrolled in this program with your paid registration. Click here for more information.

*Effective January 1, 2023, net hotel stays for 2023 and beyond will no longer be included in FAP calculations.

Lecture notes will be provided via download in PDF format.

You must sign-in every day you attend to receive credit.

While we strive for accuracy at all times with our published information, we cannot be responsible for typographical and other errors.

Please note that children and non-registered guests are not allowed to attend the lectures. The concierge can provide you with childcare information.

Travel at your own risk.

REGISTER EARLY

We recommend that you register early to assure your spot. We reserve the right to close registrations to a course at any time without notice. We may not be able to accommodate onsite registrations.

Click Here to Register