Postgraduate - UnitPAR4200 - Introduction to aeromedical and retrieval concepts

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2015 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Level	Postgraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit	Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedics
Offered	Alfred Hospital Second semester 2015 (Online)
Coordinator(s)	Mr Matthew Shepherd and Mr Jon Wright

Synopsis

This unit will explore aeromedical retrieval in Australia and overseas, by describing the role and operational functions of Air Ambulance and other retrieval systems and the role of members of the flight team. Fixed wing and rotary wing aerodynamics are introduced and the unit will emphasise, in detail, specific safety requirements and Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations. Preparation for flight will cover the on-ground care and pre-flight checks of patients and preparing self for flight. The response of the body to flight will be introduced and form the basis for considering the modifications to practice required for the in-flight management of patients. Processes related to the undertaking of safe and effective patient transfer will also be explored.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

describe the functions and interrelationships of Aeromedical and ground retrieval services in Australia and overseas;
identify the safety requirements for operating with fixed and rotary wing aircraft;
describe relevant Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations;
describe the characteristics of airport terminals and the transfer environment in aeromedical retrievals;
describe flight team responsibilities, the student's specific role and relevant clinical, administrative and communication requirements;
describe how to undertake a safe and effective patient transfer that incorporates risk analysis and prevention strategies;
explain the aviation concepts of fixed and rotary wing aircraft;
describe some of the key physical and psychological effects of flight on the body;
identify factors that may affect the student's fitness for flight;
identify and describe the operation of medical equipment utilised in the care of patients during flight; and
describe how patient care practice is modified in the aeromedical retrieval environment by taking into consideration the effects of flight on specific medical and surgical problems.