Day Overview: Essential Foundations for Ketamine Therapy
Building a Strong Base
Day 1 establishes the scientific and regulatory foundation upon which all advanced clinical practice is built — where ketamine came from, why the standard protocol consistently falls short, and what it genuinely takes to operate a safe, compliant, and clinically effective infusion practice from the very first day of independent practice.
The Basics of Ketamine Therapy
We start with the fundamentals, exploring the breakthrough research by Dr. Zarate and the reasons why ketamine is a game-changer in treating mood disorders. Clinicians will gain a deep understanding of ketamine’s history, its dual mechanisms in bridging brain chemistry and psychological health, and how it has evolved into today’s standard protocols. This module also addresses critical safety concerns, offering insights into managing potential abuse and side effects, making it clear why understanding these basics is vital for any clinician.
Inside Day 1:
CORE CURRICULUM MODULES
MODULE 1: The Scientific Journey of Ketamine
Module 1 traces ketamine’s evolution from battlefield anesthetic to psychiatric breakthrough, giving you the scientific foundation that every advanced clinician needs. You’ll examine the landmark studies — Krystal 1994, Berman 2000, and Zarate 2006 — that shaped modern protocols, while gaining a clear-eyed understanding of what the evidence actually supports versus where community practice falls short. This isn’t just history; it’s the context that makes everything else in this program make sense.
➤ Ketamine’s origins as a dissociative anesthetic in the 1960s, through FDA approval
➤ The landmark 1994 Krystal Study and the genesis of the 0.5 mg/kg protocol
➤ Landmark antidepressant efficacy studies: Berman 2000 and Zarate 2006
➤ The standard 6-infusion series — evidence-based and real-world limitations
MODULE 2: Clinical Excellence & Regulatory Compliance
Module 2 establishes the clinical and regulatory foundation every ketamine practice must be built on, walking you through the governing frameworks set by the APA, ASA, FSMB, and DEA. You’ll master patient selection — learning to distinguish ideal candidates from those who present absolute or relative contraindications — while adopting anesthesiology-standard documentation practices across all three infusion phases, including the standardized intake instruments and DEA log requirements that keep your practice audit-ready and defensible.
➤ Governing frameworks: APA, ASA, FSMB, and DEA regulatory standards
➤ Patient selection criteria: ideal candidates versus absolute and relative contraindications
➤ Anesthesiology-standard documentation across all three infusion phases
➤ Standardized intake instruments: PHQ-9, GAD-7, and DEA log requirements
MODULE 3: DEA Compliance & Controlled Substance Management
Module 3 dives deep into controlled-substance compliance, giving you the operational mastery needed to run a DEA-inspectable practice with confidence. From real-time logbook management and vial serialization to waste disposal under the two-person integrity rule and DEA Form 41 completion, every procedural detail is covered — including procurement, account setup, and the SORS reporting system that keeps your controlled substance program airtight under 21 CFR 1301.75.
➤ Controlled substance logbook mastery and real-time audit readiness
➤ Vial serialization, inventory reconciliation, and secure storage under 21 CFR 1301.75
➤ Waste management protocols: two-person integrity rule and DEA Form 41 completion
➤ Procurement procedures, account setup, and the SORS reporting system
MODULE 4: Setting Up Your Infusion Practice
Module 4 is your blueprint for building a compliant, fully operational infusion practice from the ground up. You’ll work through suite design standards, staffing requirements, and the essential equipment every infusion center must have — from syringe pumps and crash carts to ACLS-certified coverage — along with realistic start-up cost modeling and operational readiness checklists that ensure you’re prepared before a single patient walks through the door.
➤ Infusion center layout and suite design standards (120 sq ft per suite minimum)
➤ Staffing requirements: qualified practitioner plus ACLS-certified RN coverage
➤ Required equipment: monitors, syringe pumps, crash carts, and supplemental oxygen
➤ Start-up cost modeling and operational readiness verification checklists
MODULE 5: The Future of Ketamine Therapy — Why Standards Matter
Module 5 confronts the uncomfortable reality driving the entire KRI program: why standard community ketamine practice so frequently fails the patients it’s meant to help. You’ll examine the data gap between clinical trial outcomes and real-world results, the growing risks of commercialization and telehealth prescribing, and why the entrenched 0.5 mg/kg protocol continues to underserve patients — before introducing the shift toward plasma concentration targeting and precision medicine that defines the field’s future.
➤ Real-world outcome data vs. clinical trial success rates — closing the performance gap
➤ Risks of commercialization, telehealth prescribing, and emerging regulatory backlash
➤ Why 0.5 mg/kg continues to fail as a one-size-fits-all solution
➤ The emerging shift toward plasma concentration targeting and precision medicine methodology
Afternoon Clinical Session 1 - Introduction to the Ketamine Infusion Room
Clinical Module 1: Mastering the Essentials of the Infusion Room, Equipment, and Patient Interaction
Achieving clinical success in ketamine therapy starts with mastering the infusion process, and this module provides the comprehensive foundation needed to excel. From the precise setup of the infusion suite to expert management of IV lines, every detail is meticulously addressed to ensure you deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care.
Understanding the intricacies of the physical space, patient monitoring, and advanced equipment such as infusion pumps is crucial for tailoring treatments to each patient's unique needs. This training goes beyond the basics, focusing on mastering vascular access techniques and adhering to stringent safety protocols, essential for preventing complications and ensuring successful outcomes.
With a strong emphasis on real-world application, this module is essential for clinicians committed to achieving the highest standards in ketamine therapy and providing superior care that truly impacts patients' lives.
By the end of this session, the infusion room is no longer unfamiliar territory — it’s your clinical environment.
Inside Clinical Module 1:
The infusion room is the operational core of a ketamine practice. This session establishes the foundational competencies every KRI-trained clinician must master before their first independent infusion.
The Clinical Encounter: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Successful Ketamine Infusion Session
• Detailed guidance from patient entry to discharge, ensuring a seamless therapeutic experience.
• Techniques for setting the right tone, managing patient expectations, and creating a therapeutic environment.
Optimizing the Ketamine Infusion Suite
• Create a space that maximizes safety, efficiency, and patient comfort.
• Use lighting, sound, and comfort measures to enhance the therapeutic environment.
• Patient Preparation and Monitoring: Ensuring Safety and Success
• Best practices for preparing patients mentally and physically for infusion.
• Continuous, real-time monitoring of vital signs and mental status throughout the session.
Equipping for Excellence: Tools and Technology for Superior Care
• A comprehensive checklist of essential tools and supplies for your infusion suite.
• Integration of advanced technology, such as electronic infusion records, for enhanced patient care.
IV Access Mastery: Techniques for Safe and Effective Vascular Access
• Complete instructions on obtaining IV access, including expert tips for IV insertion and securing lines.
• Mastery of vascular access techniques and devices to become proficient in peripheral line placement.
Airway Assessment & Emergency Devices
• Airway assessment guidelines
• Recognizing airway issues and emergencies
• BVM ventilation, laryngeal mask airway (LMA), and endotracheal tube (ETT) competency
Infusion/Syringe Pumps: Precision in Practice
• In-depth training on the operation and maintenance of infusion and syringe pumps.
• Tailoring infusions to individual patient needs for precise dosing and optimal outcomes.
Ensuring Safety from Start to Finish: Transport and Discharge Protocols
• Implementation of critical safety protocols for all stages of treatment.
• Strategies for managing and mitigating adverse reactions during infusion.
• Guidelines for safe patient transport and discharge, including post-infusion monitoring and education.
Your Keys to Safe and Effective Ketamine Therapy
Mastering these essential aspects of ketamine infusion therapy involves acquiring knowledge and ensuring the highest standards of patient care and clinical success.
The detailed focus on optimizing the clinical environment, mastering IV access techniques, and adhering to stringent safety protocols is critical to preventing complications and achieving positive outcomes.
By integrating these practices into your daily routine, you'll be fully equipped to deliver safe, effective, and transformative ketamine therapy, setting you apart as a leader in the field.
Click here to go on to day 2 of training
Here is what our graduates have to say
Dr. Landauro:
I am an Austrian psychiatrist. One year ago, I started using ketamine for the treatment of my depressive patients without formal training using the standard protocol published in the literature. I decided to attend the Ketamine Institute’s training program to enhance my skills.The Ketamine infusion therapy for mood disorders” training course for physicians went above and beyond my expectations. Dr. Grass' brilliance and profound professional expertise made this course an unforgettable and truly eye-opening experience. I can now understand Ketamine from a pharmacological, anesthesiology, psychiatric, medico-legal and therapeutic perspective. I could put the contents I learned immediately into practice and my patients are already profiting from the knowledge I gained."
…thank you!"
—Dr. Med R Febres Landauro – Saltsburg, Austria
To Learn More About Our Programs - please click the links below:
The "Mini-Fellowship" Intensive Training Program
A Detailed Course Overview
Day 1: Essential Foundations for Ketamine Therapy
Day 2: Mastering the Future of Ketamine Therapy
Day 3: Personalization and Precision in Ketamine Therapy
Our Course Schedule and How To Apply For Training
The Origin of Our Ketamine Training Program
What Our Graduates Say About The Course
How the Ketamine Research Training Program Complies with APA and ASA Recommendations
