Page 21 - QARANC Vol 17 No 2 2019
P. 21
The Gazette QARANC Association 19
Advanced Trauma Life Support Course
Having joined 204 (NI) Field Hospital Belfast last June, I have found so many opportunities, including clinical professional development, adventure training and military skills development, all of which have developed my character and confidence.
I was fortunate to be selected to attend the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. The course was organised by Surgeon Commander Alon Duby from the Royal Navy who kindly offered this opportunity to our unit, and was held in conjunction with his local resuscitation department at The Prince Charles Hospital in South Wales. It was a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with civilian doctors and with members of the Royal Navy.
Eight clinical staff from 204 (NI) Field Hospital, Belfast attended the two day course which covered the full ATLS programme. The main intent was to give emergency department nurses and Combat Medical Technicians exposure to advanced trauma guidelines and standardised treatments, so that when faced with traumatic casualties they would have the knowledge and understanding to be effective members of the trauma team. It was also important for the ED team to work together as they are currently in Formation Operational Readiness Model (FORM) Year 2 where they are expected to develop teams in order to support the Force Generation, validation and delivery of Deployed Health Care. This course also facilitated and developed key trauma management skills and confidence to ensure that ED staff have a 360 degree awareness of team roles and responsibilities in a trauma situation.
After an interesting journey down windy Welsh roads, we finally found ourselves at our location. Although I attended this course as a nurse observer the instructors continuously encouraged me to participate in all skill stations. This included a systematic assessment process of the airway, breathing, circulation, disability and exposure (ABCDE approach).
The first station which was predominantly around airway management highlighted the importance of having good cervical-spine Immobilisation. This was a new concept compared to my civilian training, but which had good rationale. During the next station I participated in needle thoracocentesis and observed the insertion of chest drains. Having never done this before the instructors were very patient and clearly explained the procedure. This station highlighted the importance of recognising a tension pneumothorax. I was also able to participate in the procedure for needle cricothyrotomy.
The Instructors were from both military and civilian medical backgrounds and were from various International backgrounds including, Denmark, Sweden, England and Finland
Advanced Trauma Life Support course is internationally recognised as advanced trauma training
Another reason which made this course so beneficial was the inclusion of paediatric training in the trauma situation. The course drew out the importance of family centred care and the human factors that we as health professionals are required to deal with these types of trauma emergencies. It highlighted the importance of having a staff member available to support the family during a trauma scenario.
Two other stations included the understanding and interpretation of CT’s and x-rays. Again having little experience in reading either of these it was a good introduction.
Overall I feel this is an excellent course for nurses to attend. I may never practice some the skills, however I have a better understanding of the trauma team roles and responsibilities. Thanks to the training I received not only during my basic training but also at clinical study days in 204 (NI) Field Hospital, I was able to participate well and have a good understanding of the content.
The course did focus on some nursing responsibilities in acute trauma management, for example blood transfusions and log rolling, and I was able to bring this knowledge and skill back to my civilian role as an emergency care nurse and disseminate this to my civilian nursing colleagues. Overall the course did improve my nursing practice in clinical trauma care.
Corporal Christine Church 204 (NI) Field Hospital Belfast
An example of the emergency airway equipment we were able to use to practice our cricothyroidotomy skills