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.
Quizzes Now Available On Selected Videos. Test your Knowledge
The first video in the series is Ventilator V2, which was posted some time ago on the website & on YouTube. You may view the original video & more information […]
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 […]
What are the different methods of documentation?
A variety of models exist to help ensure that all the useful information is in your paperwork by the time it's finalised & to ensure that it's clear and concise...
Children are more likely to arrest due to a lack of oxygen or hypotension than a cardiac cause
Smith, G. 2015. Prevention of cardiac arrest and decisions about CPR, Available Online: https://www.resus.org.uk/resuscitation-guidelines/prevention-of-cardiac-arrest-and-decisions-about-cpr/#decisions (Accessed 02/05/2018)
Cheat Sheets: Scene Overview
You may find varying suggestions for what to consider in what is usually referred to as your 'scene assessment' (Harris, 2016: 1; Pilbery & Lethbridge, 2016: 126) or 'end of bed [...] assessment' (Spurr, 2014). This is a cheat sheet to assist you in identifying these important factors.
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.
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 […]
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.
Ventilators: Why, What, How, When?
Made by UK Paramedics, this video demonstrates how to use the PneuPac ParaPac ventilator.
What is the relief pressure dial on the ventilator?
The relief pressure dial on the ventilator ensures that the pressure of ventilation is not so high that it causes problems but allows it to be high enough to help ensure that the patient actually is ventilated. Read more...
Circulation ›
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).
What are the paramedic drugs and doses for adult ALS?
Adrenaline, amiodorone, sodium chloride... What do our guidelines say about when, how and how much of these drugs we should be giving?
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 […]
What are the 5 principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005?
Or: How do you decide if someone has capacity? Someone always has capacity until it’s proven otherwise ‘[…] All practical steps to help’ someone make a decision must be tried […]
Disability ›
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 ›
Ventilators: How?
This is a shorter version of the Ventilator: Why, What, How, When? video, featuring the how-to only.
Ventilators: Why, What, How, When?
Made by UK Paramedics, this video demonstrates how to use the PneuPac ParaPac ventilator.
How to size and insert an OP airway adjunct (insertion only)
This video demonstrates how to insert an OP airway adjunct to an adult patient. A full video, showing how to size & insert the adjunct, along with information about relevant […]
How to size and insert and OP airway adjunct: Where, When and How?
This video demonstrates how to size and insert an OP airway adjunct and points out relevant airway anatomy. A summary, showing OP airway insertion only, is available on our […]
Fast Facts ›
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 […]
Children are more likely to arrest due to a lack of oxygen or hypotension than a cardiac cause
Smith, G. 2015. Prevention of cardiac arrest and decisions about CPR, Available Online: https://www.resus.org.uk/resuscitation-guidelines/prevention-of-cardiac-arrest-and-decisions-about-cpr/#decisions (Accessed 02/05/2018)
How do I get the ventilator off the racks?
If you've ever felt the frustration of being a student on Day 1 and having to retrieve the ventilator for your crewmate, you might enjoy this GIPHY.
The Discovery of Negative and Positive Pressure Ventilation – Fast Fact
‘He opened the chest of a live animal and noted that air rushed in and the lungs collapsed, following which the heart stopped’ (Baker, 2016: 3). His experiment was […]
Article Summaries ›
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.
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.
Head injury is the commonest cause of death
Another Fast Fact
What is Negative Pressure Breathing?
Negative pressure breathing is how we breathe normally, without the aid of bag-valve-masks or mechanical ventilators. This article describes the process and begins a series on breathing and ventilator mechanics.
How do I get the ventilator off the racks?
If you've ever felt the frustration of being a student on Day 1 and having to retrieve the ventilator for your crewmate, you might enjoy this GIPHY.
What is the relief pressure dial on the ventilator?
The relief pressure dial on the ventilator ensures that the pressure of ventilation is not so high that it causes problems but allows it to be high enough to help ensure that the patient actually is ventilated. Read more...
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...
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.
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...
How to size and insert and OP airway adjunct: Where, When and How?
This video demonstrates how to size and insert an OP airway adjunct and points out relevant airway anatomy. A summary, showing OP airway insertion only, is available on our […]