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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Elements define the essential outcomes
  2. Recognise clinical emergencies
  3. Respond to clinical emergencies
  4. Prepare drugs for administration in emergency situations
  5. Finalise emergency procedures

Performance Evidence

The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:

determined and actioned response to diverse emergency situations, including:

respiratory/ airway emergencies:

difficult/compromised airway

can’t intubate can’t ventilate

bronchospasm

pneumothorax

laryngospasm

aspiration

suxamethonium apnoea

hypoxia/hypoxaemia

hypercarbia

cardiac emergencies:

ventricular fibrillation

ventricular tachycardia

pulseless electrical activity

asystole

third degree heart block

cardiac arrhythmias which pose threat to life for individual clients

perioperative myocardial infarcts

cardiac tamponade

malignant hyperthermia

hypothermia

hypovolaemic shock/massive blood loss

severe hypotension

severe hypertension

pulmonary hypertension

anaphylactic shock

thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism – fat, thrombus, air/gas, amniotic fluid

pulmonary oedema & negative pressure pulmonary oedema

local anaesthetic toxicity

total spinal

metabolic and endocrine abnormalities

drug administration error and adverse drug reaction

septic shower

followed established procedures for use of emergency equipment/ consumables, including:

difficult airway trolley and other airway and suction equipment

cardiac arrest trolley and defibrillator

heating/cooling equipment

infusion/transfusion equipment

monitoring equipment

medications

chest drains


Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:

legal and ethical considerations (national, state/territory) for emergencies, and how these are applied in organisations:

codes of practice

duty of care

infection prevention and control

informed consent

mandatory reporting

privacy, confidentiality and disclosure

records management

rights and responsibilities of workers, employers and clients

work role boundaries – responsibilities and limitations in emergencies

work health and safety

the following anaesthetic emergencies, their signs, symptoms, physiological and non-physiological causes, treatment or resolution and prediction:

respiratory/ airway emergencies:

difficult/compromised airway

can’t intubate can’t ventilate

bronchospasm

pneumothorax

laryngospasm

aspiration

suxamethonium apnoea

hypoxia/hypoxaemia

hypercarbia

cardiac emergencies:

ventricular fibrillation

ventricular tachycardia

pulseless electrical activity

asystole

third degree heart block

cardiac arrhythmias which pose threat to life for individual clients

perioperative myocardial infarcts

cardiac tamponade

malignant hyperthermia

hypothermia

hypovolaemic shock/massive blood loss)

severe hypotension

severe hypertension

pulmonary hypertension

anaphylactic shock

thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism – fat, thrombus, air/gas, amniotic fluid

pulmonary oedema & negative pressure pulmonary oedema

local anaesthetic toxicity

total spinal

metabolic and endocrine abnormalities

drug administration error and adverse drug reaction

septic shower

external emergencies including equipment failure, equipment/consumable supply shortage, weather events, fire and power outage

algorithms used to de-escalate anaesthetic emergencies

crisis management basic principles including internal and external crisis sources

methods, principles and procedures for dealing with emergencies, including:

problem solving techniques

graded assertiveness

crisis communication principles

clinical handover

multidisciplinary team structure and functions

situation monitoring/situational awareness

massive transfusion protocol

Australian Resuscitation Council guidelines

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Anaphylaxis guidelines

ANZCA Malignant hyperthermia guidelines

features, functions and safe use of emergency equipment

emergency drug administration:

equipment

routes of administration in anaesthesia context

types, functions and effects of different drugs

legislation and protocols