Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to recognise signs of client deterioration that pose an immediate threat to life and respond appropriately, including the preparation of drugs used in emergency situations.
This unit applies to anaesthetic technicians working under the direction of, and in consultation with, an anaesthetist/medical officer in any hospital or day surgery setting.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Recognise clinical emergencies | 1.1 Recognise signs of deterioration in clients and immediately report to appropriate clinician 2.1 Monitor, interpret and promptly recognise abnormal equipment readings and immediately report abnormal values to anaesthetist/medical staff |
2. Respond to clinical emergencies | 2.1 Maintain client’s vital functions pending attendance of medical staff 2.2 Use communication escalation techniques according to organisation procedures 2.3 Promptly obtain emergency equipment and make ready for relevant medical staff 2.4 Assist the anaesthetist/medical staff to perform any emergency procedures under direction 2.5 Assist with the medical management of the client and allocate work to other team members according to priority |
3. Prepare drugs for administration in emergency situations | 3.1 Ensure required drugs, diluents and fluids are to hand 3.2 Read expiry date for each drug, diluent or fluid and check it has not been exceeded 3.3 Make accurate calculations to prepare drug to correct nature, quantity and dilution based on medical officer requirements 3.4 Check drugs with an authorised person prior to and after mixing 3.5 Use correct equipment and maintain sterility of drug and diluent 3.6 Check final drug dilution with anaesthetist or medical officer 3.7 Administer drugs under the direction and supervision of the anaesthetist 3.8 Complete medication documentation in accordance with organisation policies and procedures |
4. Finalise emergency procedures | 4.1 Document accurate and complete record of emergency situation and actions taken according to scope of own role 4.2 Participate in emergency de-brief according to organisation procedures 4.3 Review own role in emergency and identify potential actions to support future improvement |
Evidence of Performance
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
Evidence of Knowledge
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
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including those to simulate management of all emergencies identified in the Performance Evidence:
modelling of industry operating conditions, including presence of situations requiring problem solving in non-routine situations
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. |