MD938-20 Critical Care: Advanced Emergency Practice
Introductory description
Module aims
The aim of this module is to provide the student with the theoretical knowledge required to function as a critical care paramedic. This knowledge will be relevant to the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), pre-hospital critical care and acute clinical settings. Content will cover a range of clinical presentations including the underlying pathophysiology, assessment and appropriate management options, to optimise clinical outcomes.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
- Anatomy and Physiology - An understanding of the key functional anatomy of physiology of the major body systems e.g. gas exchanges, alveolar & pulmonary circulation, cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms and the applied altered pathophysiology in relation to major trauma and injury e.g. the pathophysiology of shock.
- Essential and Advanced Emergency skills - knowledge of the key skills required to support life in the emergency setting, support of airway, breathing and circulatory function in deteriorating and critically ill patients, sedation and anaesthesia, emergency surgery in pre-hospital setting, major haemorrhage control and sepsis.
- Advanced Airway Management - Indications and preparation of the Rapid Sequence Induction (RSI) technique in the emergency setting, maintenance of anaesthesia and communications issues, relevant therapeutic support, failed intubation drill, surgical airways and allied skills.
- Monitoring - Principles of the electrocardiograph (ECG), invasive and non-invasive monitoring e.g. pulse oximetry, capnography, ventilation and types of ventilators.
- Pharmacology - Concepts of pharmacology and the use of relevant therapeutic agents in the emergency environment e.g. anaesthesia, sedation and analgesia.
- Crew Resource Management - Application of the core principles of management within the emergency team environment, team working, human factors, communication, coping with emergencies.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Evaluate the risks and benefits of advanced airway management in advanced emergency care.
- Analyse the limitations of monitoring techniques of the critically ill/injured patient.
- Apply the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in a range of therapeutic agents used in emergency care.
- Critically evaluate factors contributing to the critical incidents and describe the application of crew resource management techniques to minimise future risks.
- Describe the functional anatomy and altered pathophysiology of a range of body systems relevant to advanced emergency care.
- Critically appraise relevant literature and apply it to advanced emergency/critical care clinical skills.
Indicative reading list
Essential Reading:
Anderson, Meadley & Olaussen (2024) Critical Care Paramedicine. Class Publishing
Greaves I, Porter K, Hodgetts T & Woollard M (2006) Emergency Care: A Textbook for Paramedics (2nd Ed). Edinburgh. Elsevier:Sanders
Association of Ambulance Service Chief Executives . NAtional Clinical Practice Guidelines
Marieb EN (2005) Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology (8th ed). San Francisco. Benjamin Cummings
Bersten AD, Soni N & Oh TE (2003) Oh’s Intensive Care Manual. (3rd Ed). Butterworth – Heinemann Ltd
Sasada & Smith (2003) Drugs in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. Oxford. Oxford Medical Publications
Klemen P, Grmec S. Effect of pre-hospital advanced life support with rapid sequence intubation on outcome of severe traumatic brain injury. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2006 Nov;50(10):1250-4
Davis DP, Hoyt DB, Ochs M, Fortlage D, Holbrook T, Marshall LK, Rosen P. The effect of paramedic rapid sequence intubation on outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. J Trauma. 2003 Mar;54(3):444-53.
Brazier J, Nicholl J, Snooks H. The cost and effectiveness of the London Helicopter Emergency Medical Service. J Health Serv Res Policy. 1996 Oct;1(4):232-7
Subject specific skills
Sound understanding of subject
Critically evaluate
Reflection
Transferable skills
Numeracy
Thinking and problem solving
written communication
oral communication
Teamwork
Organisation & time management
Use of tools and technology
Commercial awareness
Independence and initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 28 sessions of 1 hour (14%) |
| Seminars | 28 sessions of 1 hour (14%) |
| Tutorials | 4 sessions of 1 hour (2%) |
| Private study | 130 hours (65%) |
| Assessment | 10 hours (5%) |
| Total | 200 hours |
Private study description
Group work.
Self-directed study.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group C5
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Best Bets Style Case Based Assignment | 50% | 5 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
2 x 1000 word Best Bets style written assignment |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Case Based Examination | 50% | 5 hours | No |
|
4 x 15 minute (1 Hour) Case Based Examination. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback will be provided for the Written Assignments using the WMS assessment rubric sheet which reflects the approved assessment criteria. This will be provided in line wiith the Universoty timeline of 20 days.
Students will receive their provisional Case Based Examnination (CBE) marks on the day of the examination and written feedback for each CBE station will be provided on the WMS assessment rubric, within the 20-day timeline. Additional verbal feedback for all assessments will be available to students on request.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of TMDS-B91S Postgraduate Award in Critical Care: Advanced Emergency Practice
- Year 1 of TMDS-B91N Postgraduate Certificate in Pre-Hospital Critical Care
This module is Optional for:
- Year 2 of TMDS-B90L Postgraduate Taught Advanced Clinical Practice
- Year 2 of TMDS-B94A Postgraduate Taught Advanced Clinical Practice
- Year 2 of TMDS-B94B Postgraduate Taught Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care)
- Year 2 of EMDS-B94D Postgraduate Taught Advanced Clinical Practice (Critical Care) (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of EMDS-B94C Postgraduate Taught Advanced Clinical Practice (Degree Apprenticeship)
- Year 2 of TMDS-B91O Postgraduate Taught Advanced Critical Care Practice