Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures

'I can enthusiastically recommend the Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures as the book that I wish had been available to me when I was studying to become a paramedic.'
From the foreword by Professor Malcolm Woollard, Chair, College of Paramedics; Professor in Pre-hospital and Emergency Care & Director, Pre-hospital, Emergency & Cardiovascular Care Applied Research Group, Coventry University

Clinical procedures are a fundamental aspect of care for practitioners working in pre-hospital settings.  The Manual of Clinical Paramedic Procedures is written specifically to support the practice of paramedics, ambulance technicians, first responders and volunteer ambulance personnel.  It presents up-to-date, evidence-based expert knowledge, enabling paramedics to deliver effective, patient-focused care.

This accessible handbook provides a comprehensive exploration of core competencies and skills, looking at topics including Aseptic Technique, Airway Management, Assisted Ventilation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Defibrillation and External Cardiac Pacing, Observations, Pain Assessment & Management, Respiratory Therapy, Spinal Management and Venepuncture.  Each chapter provides the relevant anatomy & physiology, evidence-based rationales for each procedure, and contraindications of use.

Key features:

• The first UK text to explore clinical procedures for paramedics
• With further reading and illustrations throughout
• All procedures include the rationale for the action recommended
• Guides paramedics in the clinical application of evidence-based procedures

Table of Contents

Introduction

Foreword

1. Airway management

• Definition of airway management
• Concept of a stepwise approach
• Basic anatomy of the airway
• Basic airway management manoeuvres
• Basic airway adjuncts
• Advanced airway adjuncts and cricothyroidotomy
• Key points
• References and Further reading

2. Assisted ventilation

• Definition of assisted ventilation
• Indications for assisted ventilation
• The literature and complications associated with assisted
• ventilation
• Equipment and procedures for assisted ventilation
• Key points
• References and Further reading

3. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and basic life support

• Definitions
• The chain of survival
• Adult basic life support
• Basic life support in pregnancy
• Mechanical chest compression devices
• The recovery position
• Paediatric basic life support
• Newborn life support
• Foreign body airway obstruction (choking)
• Key point
• References and Further reading

4. Defibrillation

• Definition of defibrillation
• The literature behind defibrillation
• Procedure for defibrillation
• Definition of transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP)
• Terminology used in transcutaneous cardiac pacing
• Indications for use of transcutaneous pacing
• The literature behind transcutaneous cardiac pacing
• Equipment
• Key points
• References and Further reading

5. Cardiovascular observations and examination techniques

• The assessment of pulses
• Capillary refill time measurement
• Blood pressure measurement
• The electrocardiogram
• Cardiac auscultation
• Temperature measurement
• Key points
• References and Further reading

6. Respiratory observations and examination techniques

• Indications for respiratory assessment
• Respiratory rate
• Respiratory depth assessment
• Chest and respiratory inspection
• Chest compliance
• Respiratory pattern/rhythm assessment
• Oxygen saturations/pulse oximetry
• Peak flow measurement
• Chest percussion
• Tactile vocal fremitus
• Chest auscultation
• Vocal resonance
• Key points
• References and Further reading

7. Neurological observations and examination techniques

• Definitions
• Level of consciousness assessment
• Pupillary assessment
• Assessing motor function
• Assessment of reflexes
• Assessment of movement and power
• Assessment of co-ordination
• Assessment of abnormal movements
• Sensory function assessment
• FAST
• Vital signs
• Blood glucose testing
• Key points
• References and Further reading

8. History taking and communication

• Definitions
• Key communication skills
• Communication models
• The practitioner–patient relationship
• A standardised history framework
• Questioning techniques
• Consent
• Key points
• References and Further reading

9. Documentation and record keeping

• Definitions
• Why keep healthcare records?
• What constitutes good medical records?
• Models of record keeping
• Abbreviations
• Key documents in record keeping and documentation
• The Caldicott Guardian
• Electronic patient records
• Key points
• References and Further reading

10. Drug administration

• Definitions
• Legislation related to paramedic administration
• of drugs
• Drug formulations
• Drug documentation
• Storage of drugs
• Routes of administration
• Key points
• References and Further reading

11. Medical gases

• Definition and indications for the use of Entonox
• Advantages of Entonox
• Contraindications to the use of Entonox
• Equipment
• Principles of administration of Entonox
• Procedure for administering Entonox
• Troubleshooting
• Definition of oxygen therapy
• Indications for use
• Cautions and contraindications to the use of oxygen
• Equipment
• Procedure for administering oxygen
• Use of cylinders and cylinder safety
• Key points
• References and Further reading

12. Infection control

• Definitions
• Indications for infection control
• Hand hygiene
• Personal protective equipment
• Key points
• References and Further reading
• 13. Vascular access devices
• Definition of a vascular access device
• Anatomy of veins
• Peripheral cannulas
• Indications for peripheral cannulation
• Selection of device for peripheral cannulation
• Selection of vein
• Techniques of venodilatation
• Complications of peripheral venous cannulation
• Procedure for peripheral venous cannulation
• Intraosseous infusion
• Anatomy of bones
• Indications for intraosseous access
• Contraindications to intraosseous access
• Equipment for intraosseous access
• Complications of intraosseous access
• Location sites for intraosseous access
• Procedures for intraosseous access
• Key points
• References and Further reading

14. Needle thoracocentesis

• Definitions
• The literature surrounding needle thoracocentesis
• Equipment required
• Indications for use
• Contraindications of use
• Potential problems of use
• Procedures
• Key points
• References and Further reading

15. Pain assessment and management

• Definitions
• Acute pain v chronic pain
• Assessing pain
• Assessing pain in cognitively impaired patients
• Overview of pain management techniques
• Key points
• References and Further reading

16. Fracture and soft tissue injury management

• Definitions: What are fractures, sprains, strains and
• dislocations?
• General principles of musculoskeletal injury management
• Principles of splinting
• Slings and support bandages
• Box splints
• Vacuum splints
• Neighbour strapping
• Traction splints
• SAM splints
• Pelvic fractures
• Key points
• References and Further reading

17. Spinal management

• Relevant gross anatomy
• Evidence on how to immobilise the spine
• Hazards and complications associated with spinal
• immobilisation
• Indications for spinal immobilisation
• Equipment and procedures
• Key points
• References and Further reading

18. Assessment and management of wounds and burns

• Definitions
• Classification of wounds
• Wound healing
• Principles of wound management
• The use of tourniquets and haemostatic dressings
• Burns assessment
• Burn management principles
• Key points
• References and Further reading

19. Moving and handling procedures

• Definitions
• Why is moving and handling important?
• Key legislation
• Manual handling and no lift policies
• Risk assessment in moving and handling
• Biomechanical principles
• Principles of manual handling
• Additional principles
• Lifting aids
• Key points
• References and Further reading

Index