Operational Practice Flashcards
Which agency regulates helicopter operations in Europe?
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
What does the EASA define as a HEMS flight? (4)
A flight:
1. by helicopter
2. operating under a HEMS approval
3. to facilitate emergency medical assistance
4. where immediate and rapid transportation is essential
To be a HEMS flights the EASA states you need to be carrying one of what 3 things?
- Medical personnel
- Medical supplies
- Ill/injured persons or other persons directly involved
If not meeting HEMS criteria what is a AA flight called?
Air ambulance mission
How large should a landing zone be for a helicopter?
Over twice size of discs
What regulates PPE in the UK?
Health and Safety Executive in the PPE at Work Regulations
Describe the JESIP hierarchy of control measures?
ERICPD
Eliminate
Reduce
Isolate
Control
PPE
Discipline
What should be the standard of helmet?
Fire fighting standard
= EN443
What is the European standard for High vis?
EN471
What is the minimum class of garment for working on motorways/dual carriageways?
Class 3
What specifications make a ‘class 3’ garment? (2)
- Mimimum 0.8m2 flourescent background
- Minimum 0.2m2 retro-reflective materials
What 3 things should appropriate boots have?
- Toe cap to withstand > 200J
- Minimum height 4 inches
- Chemical resistance
What should flight suits be made of and what type of fire do they protect from?
- Nomex or Kermel
- Flash fire (4-5 secs flame)
What proportion of major trauma have SCI and of these how many have severe, time critical injuies?
- 0.7%
- 50%
What is the benefit of self extrication?
Shown to reduce movement of cervical and lumbar spine, improved further with a collar
Describe a ‘rapid extrication?’
Lateral extrication via closest apperture (usually door). Rescue board slid into car seat and patient rotated then laid down and pulled up board, MILS ideally
Describe a B post rip
Rear doors opened and cut lower then upper B-post, then entire side of vehicle can pivot on front hinge of A post
What is a ‘roof off extrication’?
Historial gold standard
Roof removed, board placed behind patients back and seat lowered (if poss). Patient then pulled up board with MILS
Slow
What can FRS do to improve access to a vehicle on its side?
Roof fold down:
- upper supporting posts cut
- roof folded down
What 2 things can FRS do to improve access to a vehicle on its roof? (2)
- B-post rip
- Roll back onto wheels
What is a dashboard roll used for?
Footwell entrapment
Describe chain cabling and what it is used for?
Chains to front and rear posts, winch used to apply traction.
Reverses vehicle damage forces associated with frontal collision
How long does chain cabling take?
12.5 mins
Describe the 3 parts to the FPHC extrication decision tool for non-medical personel
- Can the casualty self extricate
- Is a snatch rescue indicated?
- Deliver quickest appropriate extrication
What is the FPHC recommended first line extrication method?
Self/minimally assisted
- What is the acronym USTEP?
- What is it used for?
- Who recommends it?
1.Understanding (get patient understand)
Support (emotionall)
Try moving (if unable then can’t self extricate)
Egress (clear route out)
Plan - where will they go next (chair/trolley)
- Non-clinicans to helpe extricate
- FPHC
.
Under what circumstances does FPHC state MILS is not needed inside the vehicle?
Fully conscious and no neurology
If patients have neurology what extrication measure does FPHC recommend
Rapid extrication with gentle handling
When does the FPHC recommend using a hard collar in extrication? (2)
- Suspected serious neck injury
or
- GCS <15 + evidence of significant injury to any body compartment
When should a binder be placed during extrication according to FPHC?
After extrication
What are the components of HAVNOT and what is it used for?
Predicting difficult airway
Hx of difficult airway
Anatomical abnormalities
Visual clues (beard, BMI etc)
Neck immobility
Opening mouth <3cm
Trauma
What acronym is used to predict difficult BVM?
Mask seal difficulty
Obesity, Obstructed airway
Age >55yrs
No teeth
Snorer, Stiff lungs
What acronym is used to predict difficult SAD insertion?
RODS
Restricted mouth opening < 3 fingers
Obstruction at larynyx or below
Distorted airway
Stiff cervical collar, Stiff lungs
What is the acronym SHORT?
Predicting difficult cricothyroidotomy
Surgery, Scars, Short neck
Haematoma
Obesity, Oedema
Radiotx
Trauma, Tumour
What are the sizes of OP airway and who are they used for? (7)
000 - neonate
00 - infant
0 - small child
1 - child
2 - small adult
3 - medium adult
4 - large adult
How are OPAs measured?
Incisors to angle of jaw
What size NPA is used usually for:
1. Men
2. Women
- 7.0
- 6.0
How should NPAs be measured?
Nostril to tragus of ear
Describe the IGel sizes
What is the mechanism of action of ketamine?
NMDA receptor antagonist
What type of drug is ketamine?
Procyclidine derivative
What causes the bronchodilation/sympathomimetic actions of ketamine?
It is a partial antagonist of muscarinic receptors
What is the onset time of ketamine:
IV
IM
30 secs
6 mins
What is propofol?
2-6 di-isopropyl phenol
What is the mechanism of action of propofol?
Potentiates action of GABA at GABA receptor?
Which paralytic is:
1. depolarising
2. Non-depolarising
- Suxamethonium
- Rocuronium
What are the potential side effects of suxamethonium? (4)
Bradycardia
Hyperkalaemia
Raises ICP/ intra-ocular pressure
Malignant hyperthermia
Why do paediatric patients become bradycardic when SATs drop?
Dominant parasympathetic system
When does DAS recommend using needle cricothyroidotomy?
< 8 years old unless previous ENT experience
How should a needle cricothyroidotomy be performed?
-14 to 16G cannula inserted angled 45 degrees caudally
- syringe attached and when loss of resistance flatten angle of cannula and advance further 2-3mm
- remove needle and attach pre-prepped 3 way tap with all ports open with 02 tubing
- set oxygen to rate L/min (patients age)
- occlude 3 way tap for 1 sec, open for 4 secs, 1:4 (if not completely obstructed should be some passive exhalation via airway)
What blades should be used for:
- pre-term
- term
- 1 year (infant)
- 2 year
- > 2 years
- pre-term = Miller 0
- term = Miller 1
- 1 year (infant) = MAC 1
- 2 year = MAC 2
- > 2 years = MAC2 or 3
How much oxygen Fi02 is delivered via NC?
4% per 1L/min (up to 4L)
When should a NRB be used?
If need Fi02 >50%
How much oxygen does each venturi allow?
Blue = 24 %
White = 28%
Yellow = 35%
Red = 40%
Green = 60%
What are the different oxygen cylinders capacities?
What are the 3 receptor types involved in shock physiology?
- Arterial baroreceptors
- Cardiac C-fibres
- Arterial chemorecptors
Which receptor triggers the baroreceptor reflex?
Arterial baroreceptors
Describe the baroreceptor reflex in shock
- Pressure receptors within aortic arch and carotid sinus that respond to stretch
- decreased volume activates these leading to an increased HR and peripheral vasoconstriction
Where are cardiac c-fibres located and what reflex do they initiate?
- Left ventricle
- Depressor reflex
Describe the Depressor Reflex in shock?
- cardiac c-fibres are mechanorecptors in the LV that respond to excessive cardiac activity in context of hypovolaemia
- leads to bradycardia and peripheral vasodilation
Where are arterial chemoreceptors located?
Carotid and aortic body