Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for ambulance paramedics

381 Pages·2015·11.66 MB·English

Ambulance Tasmania
Clinical Practice Guidelines
for Paramedics & Intensive Care Paramedics
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Ambulance Tasmania
Clinical Practice Guidelines
for Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics
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Clinical Practice Guidelines Disclaimer
for Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics All rights reserved. Without limiting the reservation Under no circumstances will AT, its employees or agents, be liable for any loss,
of copyright, no person shall reproduce, store in injury, claim, liability or damages of any kind resulting from the unauthorised use
February 2012 a retrieval system or transmit in any form, or by of, or reliance upon the CPG’s or the contents therein.
Revised August 2012 any means, part or the whole of the Ambulance AT acknowledges Ambulance Victoria (AV) copyright (2009, Ambulance
Ambulance Tasmania Tasmania (AT) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG’s) Victoria. Clinical Practice Guidelines / Ambulance Victoria. Revised ed.), and
without the prior written permission of AT. acknowledges permission provided by AV to reproduce, in part, the Ambulance
Copyright © Ambulance Tasmania 2012. AT accepts no responsibility for any modification, Victoria Clinical Practice Guidelines (2009).
redistribution or use of the CPG’s or any part While effort has been made to contact all copyright owners this has not always
Ambulance Tasmania thereof. been possible. We would be pleased to hear from any copyright holder who has
Lower Level, 12 Brisbane Street The CPG’s are expressly intended for use by AT been omitted or incorrectly acknowledged.
Hobart, Tasmania 7000 paramedics when performing duties and delivering
GPO Box 125 ambulance services for, and on behalf of, AT.
Hobart, Tasmania 7001
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Foreword
The Ambulance Tasmania Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics
have undergone a major revision to ensure contemporary, evidence-based practice in an easy to read format.
This revised format incorporates a flow chart style, colour coding for individual mangement steps, and distinct
separation of Paramedic and Intensive Care Paramedic interventions. It was developed by the Ambulance Victoria
(AV) CPG Working Group with specialist advice from the AV Corporate Communications Department, and provided
to Ambulance Tasmania (AT) for conceptualisation to AT practice. The design provides greater clarity within each
guideline to assist clinical practice. The reformat highlights key details and decision pathways within each Guideline
and is intended to reduce risk in Paramedic practice through an improved clarity of the CPGs.
There is a new “language” associated with these Guidelines that is illustrated in the Abbreviations / Colour Chart.
It is based on contemporary designs in industry that highlight key information with colour-cognitive triggering,
the intention being to remind the user of important details within the Guideline. For example, a red colour is to
highlight an aspect of the Guideline that may place the patient at risk or requires an immediate intervention prior to
proceeding.
These Guidelines have been recommended by the Tasmanian Ambulance Clinical Council (TACC) and approved
by the Chief Executive Officer for use by Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics when working for AT. The
Guidelines represent a multi disciplinary consensus based on the best available evidence on the management of
common emergency medical problems encountered by Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics which they are
expected to follow under normal circumstances. It is recognised that alternative methods of treatment exist, and
that from time-to-time circumstances may arise where the management of a particular patient in a life-threatening
situation may require the guidelines to be varied in some aspect. Such variations should only be made after
appropriate medical consultation and will be subject to clinical review as part of Ambulance Tasmania’s Clinical
Governance processes.
Foreword vi

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Each CPG clearly outlines the respective practice levels for AT Paramedic and Intensive Care Paramedics. It is
important to note that not all Paramedics and Intensive Care Paramedics are credentialed to practise independently
at the levels defined within these Guidelines. Staff are responsible for ensuring they only operate within their
individually approved scope of practice and should contact the Clinical Services Division for clarification regarding
practice approvals if required.
AT would like to acknowledge the support from Ambulance Victoria in developing these guidelines. In addition,
it is important to note the exceptional work done by AT staff to conceptualise the document and guidelines to
Tasmanian needs. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these CPGs. They are under constant
review in light of changes to evidence based practice. Feedback is welcome as these Guidelines are an evolving
product and can be forwarded to [email protected] Proposals for change to the CPGs can be accessed
via the New Interventions Policy and will be forwarded to the relevant committee.
Foreword vii

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Acknowledgements
Members of the AV CPG Working Group
Auston Balon-Rotheram Ben Meadley Bill Barger
Kerry Power Colin Jones Di Inglis
Michael Stephenson Assoc Prof Stephen Bernard Tony Ginis
Andrew Burns Dr. Andrew Bacon Justin North Coombes
Assoc Prof Mark Fitzgerald Dave Garner Gavin Smith
Jenny Geer Cam Asker Paul Burke
Ian Jarvie Andrea Wyatt Nick Goodwin
Paul Jennings George Wilson Ziad Nehme
Dr John Moloney Elia Petzierides Yvonne Singer
Elia Petzierides Skye Demmler Grant Hocking
Lauren Tanzen Kevin Broadribb Janet Bray
Grant Slaney Daniel Cudini Chas Spanti
Members of Ambulance Tasmania
T Ivanov Director of Clinical Services
N Dalwood Manager Education and Professional Development
Dr. R Franks Ambulance Service Medical Officer
Dr. A Hughes Clinical Director Aero-medical and Medical Retrieval
Dr. S Sherlock Anaesthetist
B Gibson Regional Education Coordinator
J Richardson Clinical Support Officer
D Curtis Clinical Support Officer
G Edsall Clinical Support Officer
N Chapman Clinical Support Officer
D Pendrey Clinical Support Officer
N Smith Clinical Support Officer
M Gibson Clinical Support Officer
S Trewin Clinical Support Officer
M Heavey Clinical Support Officer
S Elliott Clinical Support Officer
B Connor Intensive Care Paramedic
S White Coordinator Research & Clinical Practice
M McDermott Coordinator Research & Clinical Practice
Acknowledgements viii

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Index
Section Page

Foreword iv
Acknowledgements vi
Index vii
Guide to Abbreviations xiv
Graphic Guide xvi
Section One Adult Patient Guidelines
Section Two Paediatric Patient Guidelines
Section Three Pharmacology
Section Four Reference Notes
Section Five Criteria & Assessment Led (CAL) Referral Protocols
Index ix

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IInnddeexx SecSteicotnio Onn Oen Ae dAudlut lPt aPtaiteiennt tG Guuidideelliinneess
Title Version Number

Assessment
Clinical Approach CPG A0101
Perfusion Assessment CPG A0102
Respiratory Status Assessment CPG A0103
Conscious State Assessment (GCS) CPG A0104
Time Critical Guidelines (Adult and Paediatric) 2.1 CPG A0105
Mental Status Assessment CPG A0106
Stroke Assessment CPG A0107

Cardiac Arrest
Principles of Care CPG A0201
Ventricular Fibrillation / Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia 2.3 CPG A0201
Asystole 2.1 CPG A0201
Pulseless Electrical Activity 2.1 CPG A0201
Not Applicable CPG A0202
Withholding and/or Ceasing Pre-Hospital Resuscitation 2.1 CPG A0203

Airway Management
Supraglottic Airway 2.4 CPG A0301
Endotracheal Intubation Guide 2.4 CPG A0302
Failed Intubation Drill 2.4 CPG A0303
Cricothyroidotomy 2.4 CPG A0304
Foreign Body Choking CPG A0305

Cardiac
Acute Coronary Syndrome 2.1 CPG A0401
Bradycardia 2.4 CPG A0402
Tachyarrhythmias - inc. SVT & VT 2.4 CPG A0403
Not Applicable CPG A0404
Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm 2.4 CPG A0405
Pulmonary Oedema 2.4 CPG A0406
Inadequate Perfusion (Cardiogenic Causes) 2.4 CPG A0407

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