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The Lost Patient

Alexandra Adams details a turbulent experience under NHS Wales and NHS England care and highlights the importance of continuity of care.

Template CPD Log – Changelog

01/07/2022 – v1.4 has now been released; see update details on here soon. For more info, head to the post about v1.4. A number of updates have been made to […]

The Case of Anna Bagenholm

In 1999, Anna Bagenholm survived a cardiac arrest after a prolonged down-time and a temperature of just 13.7c. The circumstances of her survival continue to make international news and to inform and inspire research about target temperature management. But does her survival mean we should target hypothermia in cardiac arrest patients? Should we target hypothermia in ROSC? Let's have a look at the case and the research that has followed...

What To Do When You Fall Over, Aged 65+

This is a video for adult patients aged 65+ on what to do when you fall over. This video also contains information on what to do if you get worse before or after an ambulance attendance.

Airway ›

I-Gel: Why, What, When, How?

An Article 999 video produced by paramedics for operational staff, explaining the why, what and when of I-Gels and demonstrating how to insert them. This video has been referenced accordingly and will be peer reviewed. A shorter version of the video will be uploaded soon. This video has not been endorsed by any organisation, author or ambulance trust. You must refer to local guidelines and read Article 999's full disclaimer, available at www.article999.co.uk/about/ (disclaimer tab), before putting into place anything you see or read here.

Article Summary: Maxillofacial Trauma Patient

Summary of 'Maxillofacial trauma patient' (Krausz et al, 2009). An article discussing the importance of effective airway management in the maxillofacial trauma patient and the complexities that such an injury presents. Only points relevant to UK paramedics have been included. For more details, please read the original article.

OP Airways VS LMAs and ETI

According to research by Khosraven et al (2015) one of the main disadvantages of an OP airway is that its length, shape & lack of an inflatable cuff may cause oxygen to leak, leading to less oxygen than we might hope for entering the patient's lungs.

Breathing ›

Free Ventilator Downloads from Smiths Medical

So far, Article 999 has a reasonable collection of information and videos about positive pressure breathing and ventilators used in prehospital emergency care. Smiths Medical is behind the PneuPac ParaPac. […]

Ventilators: How?

This is a shorter version of the Ventilator: Why, What, How, When? video, featuring the how-to only.

Circulation ›

PARAMEDIC-2 Trial Results

  ‘For more than 50 years, treatment strategies have included the use of various drugs, but there is limited evidence that such treatments are effective’ (Perkins et al, 2018). Now […]

Considering the Differential Diagnoses of Chest Pain? Consider This.

We tend to consider acid reflux as one of the differential diagnoses of chest pain. We, or the patient's GP might advise them to alter their acidic diet. We might even suggest they take their own gaviscon if it's available. But the patient might be suffering from too low acid, not too high. And gaviscon and omemprazole might worsen their symptoms. This is a guest post written by Paul Burgess of Athletic Nutrition (athleticnutrition.tv).

Capacity, Consent, Mental Health ›

What is a section?

A sectioning order is legislation powers given to health care professionals and police officers under the Mental Health Act's of 1983 and 2007 that allow for compulsory admission of an individual to hospital or a place of safety.

Who can enforce a sectioning order?

Nurses, doctors, police officers and mental health professionals whose requests are approved by police officers all have sectioning powers. Their powers vary in accordance with the law. The type of section they can place also varies between them. Paramedics do not have sectioning powers. Read more...

When can you say an adult lacks capacity?

If the person cannot: ‘understand the information relevant to the decision’ ‘retain that information’ Remember, the person only needs to retain this information long enough to decide ‘use or weigh […]

Disability ›

The Case of Anna Bagenholm

In 1999, Anna Bagenholm survived a cardiac arrest after a prolonged down-time and a temperature of just 13.7c. The circumstances of her survival continue to make international news and to inform and inspire research about target temperature management. But does her survival mean we should target hypothermia in cardiac arrest patients? Should we target hypothermia in ROSC? Let’s have a look at the case and the research that has followed…
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What are the main sections used for?

The various parts of the law applicable to mental health sectioning are Section 2, 3, 4, 5, 135 and 136 but Community Treatment Orders also enable sectioning. These allow for durations of 6 hours, 72 hours, 28 days or 6 months, depending on the type of section. Read more to find out which types provide those durations...

What is a section?

A sectioning order is legislation powers given to health care professionals and police officers under the Mental Health Act's of 1983 and 2007 that allow for compulsory admission of an individual to hospital or a place of safety.

Who can enforce a sectioning order?

Nurses, doctors, police officers and mental health professionals whose requests are approved by police officers all have sectioning powers. Their powers vary in accordance with the law. The type of section they can place also varies between them. Paramedics do not have sectioning powers. Read more...

Video Library ›

What To Do When You Fall Over, Aged 65+

This is a video for adult patients aged 65+ on what to do when you fall over. This video also contains information on what to do if you get worse before or after an ambulance attendance.

Video – Burns: The Practical Stuff

This video demonstrates the assessment and management of burns, using equipment that is recommended within the locality at the time of production. Remember to check your local, current guidelines before putting anything into practice. Produced by HCPs and students.

Fast Facts ›

Should Patients Take Caffeine-Containing Analgesics?

Many of our patients have high temperatures, especially during COVID outbreaks. Some of them are taking over the counter pain relief as required. This is of course recommended, however many of our patients are also tachycardic due at least in part to their high temperatures. When they complain of palpitations, do they need to be aware of the effects of caffeine-paracetamol combinations? Should they be taking this combination at all, or should they simply ease off dietary sources of caffeine while taking analgesics? Here are a few quotes on the subject. Full references are below.

PARAMEDIC-2 Trial Results

  ‘For more than 50 years, treatment strategies have included the use of various drugs, but there is limited evidence that such treatments are effective’ (Perkins et al, 2018). Now […]

Article Summaries ›

Should Patients Take Caffeine-Containing Analgesics?

Many of our patients have high temperatures, especially during COVID outbreaks. Some of them are taking over the counter pain relief as required. This is of course recommended, however many of our patients are also tachycardic due at least in part to their high temperatures. When they complain of palpitations, do they need to be aware of the effects of caffeine-paracetamol combinations? Should they be taking this combination at all, or should they simply ease off dietary sources of caffeine while taking analgesics? Here are a few quotes on the subject. Full references are below.

What does NICE say about head injuries?

NICE guidelines are great, but they're annoying sometimes. They're lengthy, and it can be hard to find only the content that is directly relevant to frontline ambulance clinicians. Here is a summary of their head injury guidelines, showing only the points and quotes that are relevant to us. Article 999: Simplifying, Presenting, Refreshing.

PARAMEDIC-2 Trial Results

  ‘For more than 50 years, treatment strategies have included the use of various drugs, but there is limited evidence that such treatments are effective’ (Perkins et al, 2018). Now […]

The Case of Anna Bagenholm

In 1999, Anna Bagenholm survived a cardiac arrest after a prolonged down-time and a temperature of just 13.7c. The circumstances of her survival continue to make international news and to inform and inspire research about target temperature management. But does her survival mean we should target hypothermia in cardiac arrest patients? Should we target hypothermia in ROSC? Let's have a look at the case and the research that has followed...

Template CPD Log – Changelog

01/07/2022 – v1.4 has now been released; see update details on here soon. For more info, head to the post about v1.4. A number of updates have been made to […]

The Lost Patient

Alexandra Adams details a turbulent experience under NHS Wales and NHS England care and highlights the importance of continuity of care.