CSB339 Paramedic Management of Lifespan Emergencies


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:CSB339
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:CSB333 or CSB363
Coordinator:Rachel Bennett | rachel.bennett@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

Obstetric and paediatric emergencies represent an important component of emergency ambulance practice. However these patient care groups are specialised in respect of their physiological and anatomical variances. There is also an additional emotional burden surrounding the management of these patients which will be explored. The impact of the growing ageing population on emergency and health services and the management of these patients will be discussed in a socio-cultural context.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Discuss the influence of national and international epidemiology of obstetric and paediatric morbidity and mortality and preventative strategies for paediatric emergencies;
  2. Apply knowledge of integrated and definitive care for paediatric , obstetric and geriatric patients;
  3. Apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology relating to obstetric paediatric and geriatric emergencies;
  4. Demonstrate clinical skills and professional communication appropriate to the paramedic management of paediatric obstetric and geriatric patients including those patients suffering severe illness and injury;
  5. Analyse contemporary out of hospital management relating to emergency health trends, social and environmental needs in the elderly population.

Content

  • Obstetric emergencies;
  • Paediatric emergencies;
  • Management of the elderly patient including assessment of the patient's medical, social and environmental needs;
  • Respect, awareness, cultural competence in professional communication with people in vulnerable circumstances.

 

Learning Approaches

This unit will use technology enhanced teaching and learning, an inquiry based approach and case based learning to deconstruct core theory and clinical practical skills invigilated by ambulance service and QUT personnel all of whom are expects in the topic areas. The focus will be on shared learning through problem solving in groups, sourcing and exploring national and international statistics influencing practice. This unit fosters a reflexive learning environment preparing you to work in a multi-disciplinary team and clinically manage patients with obstetric, paediatric and geriatric emergencies. Simulation and scenario based activities will allow you to transfer knowledge, skills and clinical problem solving into the simulated clinical environment. Regular quizzes (formative) will provide an opportunity to test the learners knowledge as they progress through the unit.
You will build on your personal and professional learning journey, captured in a logbook and engage in reflection of the impact of the knowledge and skills gained in this unit.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Assessments will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit. For assessment item 1, feedback will be given after completing the report/management plan. For assessment item 2, feedback will be given throughout the semester. Generic comments will be provided via Canvas about assessment item 3.

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessment items to be completed for this unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Paramedic management plan

As a registered paramedic, you will respond to an obstetric case scenario and develop a management plan. Your management plan will include assessing and analysing the patient's medical, social and environmental needs informed by relevant academic literature and clinical practice guidelines. Your management plan is an example of your clinical practice that you could include in your professional development portfolio, an essential component of your registration as a paramedic through AHPRA.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 2000 words +/-10% (word length includes in-text referencing and excludes your reference list and appendices)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 5
Related Unit learning outcomes: 2, 3, 4

Assessment: Examination (written)

Description: You will be assessed on your application of knowledge relating to the epidemiology of obstetric and paediatric emergencies, preventative strategies and the management and pathophysiology of obstetric, paediatric and geriatric emergencies.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Central Examination Period
Central exam duration: 2:10 - Including 10 minute perusal
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

  •  



Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Advanced Paediatric Life Support Australia. (2012). Advanced Paediatric Life Support: Australia and New Zealand (5th ed.). Sydney: Wiley-Blackwell.

Johnson, M., Boyd, L., Grantham, H & Eastwood, K. (eds). (2015). Paramedic Principles and Practice ANZ: A clinical reasoning approach

Queensland Ambulance Service. (2015). Clinical practice manual. Brisbane: Available online at: https://ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinical.html

Safety and protective equipment

Appropriate tutorial dress includes trousers/jeans, covered shoes and a collared shirt/polo

Other

Stethoscope

Watch with second hand or display

Risk Assessment Statement

The role of student paramedic can be hazardous. You will be required to undertake observations an operational crew responding to emergency calls. There is regular exposure to high speed driving, heavy lifting, body fluids, medical sharps, defibrillators and sometimes, aggressive patients in this off campus phase of the unit. During the on campus phase the risk is minimised and only simulated exercises are conducted. While undertaking this unit you should review the industry Occupational Health and Safety guidelines that protect qualified staff and students in day-to-day practice.