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.
The NEWS Score
According to Shaw et al's study (2017), patients whose conditions were deemed more serious in hospital had arrived with higher NEWS scores. The score for each patient was created from prehospital observations & so could be used to predict patient risk.
Be wary of the quiet child
Remember that the quiet child is often the child who is unwell.
What red flags need to be looked out for in a child?
According to Bruga et al (2013), the red flags to look out for range from those which directly concern a child's vital signs to states such as 'seizures', rashes and 'haemorrhage' (Bruga et al, 2013: 12). For the full list, please see the image below.
Fare Warning: The Decompensating Child
Be cautious during your medical examination of a young patient about how well children tend to compensate in illness
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 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?
Where do you insert the cannula in Needle Cricothyroidotomy?
Or: – What are the landmarks for Needle Cricothyroidotomy (Needle Cric)? The cannula should be inserted ‘into the trachea via the cricothyroid membrane’ (Gregory & Mursell, 2010: 28).