PAR4302

MICA paramedic management of emergency cardiac conditions ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Ms Andrea Wyatt

Offered:
Peninsula First semester 2005 (Day)
Peninsula SS-S1 2005 (Day)
Peninsula Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: This unit will cover the theoretical underpinning required to develop in the student an appropriate level of knowledge, understanding and skill related to the management of patients with chest pain. A MICA Paramedic clinical approach, clinical problem solving and clinical decision making model underpins this unit. Specific topics include cardiac anatomy and physiology, the natural history of ischaemic heart disease, cardiovascular pathology, interpretation of electrocardiographic rhythms and waveforms and pharmacology of drugs used in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. This unit also provides the student with supervised hospital clinical placements.

Objectives: By the completion of this unit the student should be able to: 1. Demonstrate an ability, through self-appraisal, feedback and supervised clinical experience, to continue the process of developing as an interactional professional within the context of managing patients with cardiac emergencies; 2. Understand the application of evidence-based practice to the MICA Paramedic management of emergency cardiac conditions. 3. Describe the structure and function of the heart through the applications of their knowledge of normal cardiac conditions. 4. Describe the natural histoyr of ischaemic heart disease and cardiovascular pathology related to acute myocardial infarction; 5. Interpret common electrocardiographic (ECG) rhythms and waveforms; 6. Recall the pharmacology of relevant drugs included in the cardiac Clinical Practice Guidelines; 7. Demonstrate the ability to integrate the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to the management of cardiac emergencies in 'real time' work simulation using the MICA Paramedic clinical problem solving and clinical decision making model. 8. Describe the benefits of pre-hospital advanced cardiac life support and the related role of the MICA Paramedic; 9. Discuss the epidemiology of cardiac disease; 10. Describe the role of coronary care units in the management of patients with emergency cardiac conditions; and 11. Discuss how a MICA Paramedic might relate to and co-ordinate with hospital coronary care units.

Assessment: examinations 75% advanced cardiac life support simulation 25% professional development assessment Pass/Fail.

Contact Hours: 104 comprising lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and clinical scenarios, self-directed learning materials and WebCT, 20 hours supervised hospital clinical practice, 32 hours independent work;

Prerequisites: Successful applicants must; have a bachelor's degree or equivalent; have a minimum of two years post qualification clinical experience; and be currently qualified Ambulance Paramedics currently employed by an ambulance service. Applicants without a degree will be considered if they have extensive relevant experience.