Pre-Hospital Emergency Anaesthesia - Assist (PHEA-A) Course
- Providing educational framework to assist in gaining competency in assisting with prehospital emergency anaesthesia within CARE team.
- Note, this study day is not designed as a pass/fail event to determine competency. It is a requirement for clinical trainees to complete prior to sign-off, alongside practical, real-time PHEAA supervised & documented within CARE logbook.
- Understanding principles behind prehospital emergency anaesthesia (PHEA), including the difficult airway algorithms & decision making
- Understanding the principles & role of the assist
- This includes basic principles of equipment use in the assist role
- Familiarity with standardised approach to PHEAA (within CARE SOP)
- Understanding of the pharmaceutical agents used within PHEAA
- Understanding of the team approach to PHEAA
- The study day is designed to empower team members, but specifically Clinical Support (CS) to maintain patient safety throughout this high-risk procedure. CS’s should feel capable of challenging decisions in the best interest of patient safety.
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The study day includes both small group lecture-based talks & simulation scenarios, including debriefing. Candidates also have an RSI kit dump workshop where each individual must practice & show understanding of the standardised approach to kit dump.
The candidates have a change to see faculty demonstrate a simulation scenario prior to doing it themselves. They are divided into 3 groups of 4, in a multidisciplinary fashion. Each individual must take the role of assist during a simulation in order to successfully complete the study day. This is documented on the attendance sheet by the course director and submitted to CARE Clinical Director.
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Candidates will receive debrief immediately following the simulation scenarios, by the faculty members running that sim. Faculty members are encouraged to use the ‘Diamond Debrief’ method to provide a structured & standardised approach to feedback, whilst providing a safe learning environment for all team members.
The attendance to the PHEAA study day is mandatory for all clinical trainees, prior to sign-off for clinical support, vehicle commander & clinical team lead.
Ongoing attendance in the form of either a candidate or as a faculty member is required to maintain an individual’s competence. It is advised that a minimum attendance of once every 3 years is required to maintain this skill set, however, more frequent attendance is encouraged.
Candidates are continuously assessed throughout the day by faculty members. This is measured using the CARE SOP to prehospital RSI. Faculty members meet 3 times throughout the course of the day to discuss candidates, verbalise their ongoing assessment with the rest of the team & raise any specific concerns with individuals.
Each candidate must be observed to have provided a safe RSI assist. This is communicated back to Course Director and documented on attendance sheet. If concerns are raised prior to the end of the day, candidates will have the opportunity to discuss any issues with the course director and a second faculty member.
The candidates are required to complete an MCQ at the end of the course. The pass mark is 70%. If candidates fail, they are given the opportunity to have an ad-hoc Viva with the course director & a second faculty member in order to show their understanding. If there are still concerns that the candidate has not met the standard requirements, they are invited back to a second course.
