Anaesthesia 1980, Volume 35, pages 825-828

Correspondence

Association of Medical Emergency Technicians 825 Rachel M . and T.B. Boulron E.K. Gardnrr, ME. FFARCS, P.J.F. Baskett, Mortality for open-heart surgery M E , FFARCS, K . Easton, OBE, M B , FRCGP J . M . Manners, M B , FFARCS, DRCOG and D.G. Nuncekierill, M E , FFARCS Enflurane today Accidental disconnection of anaesthetic breathing H.J. Eherkin. M D systems 825 P.J. R’. Knell, M E , FFARCS J . Pogulanik. M D The Editor

Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

827

827

The ambulance personnel of this country are becoming more professional year by year. Recently the founding of the Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMT) encourages a deeper understanding and know- ledge regarding the management of the patients handled each day by the ambulance services, especially patients who are acutely ill or injured.

The wider knowledge afforded by the training schemes in the AEMT must be backed by.added skills. Endotracheal intubation and the establishing of intra- venous drips can only be learnt under the tutelage of an anaesthetist in a hospital.

Some ambulance services are already running courses which give some depth of physiology relevant to the acutely 1 1 1 or injured and their management. Those who reach a sufficient standard are then given practical train- ing by an anaesthetist.

We appreciate the kindness of those anaesthetists who already help ambulance personnel in this way but there is ever more pressure on course organisers and on the willing anaesthetists who are vital members of the training team.

Any anaesthetist wishing to help to train ambulance staff in this way, should contact his local Chief Ambu- lance Officer or his Medical Adviser, either of whom we are sure will be more than willing to discuss the local programme and the ways in which their valued assis- tance may be used.

The Loridon Anihulance Serrice, ERIC K . GARDYER 220 U’aterloo Road, Mrrlic~ul.4~1ii~er in Lotidon SEI NSD Adimi , ed Truining I O fhc London

Anihulance Service

PETER J.F. B A S K t T r

President A E M T

KENNETH EASTON

Chairniuti, British A.s.soc~iution qf Ininicdiute Care Schemes

DAVID G. NANCEKIEVILL Chuirnian. London Brunch AEMT

Accidental disconnection of anaesthetic breathing systems

A Su~ge.si ion

Most anaesthetists will have had the annoyance of the sudden separation of joints in the anaesthetic circuit

and, in the case of head and neck surgery, the embar- rassment of having to fumble under the sterile drapes to put things right. Up to now I had thought of this as no more than a nuisance, but my complacency was shat-

All correspondence should be addressed to Dr T.B. Boulton, Editor of Anaesthesia, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading RGI 5AN, England. The Correspondence section is sub-edited by Dr Richard H. Ellis, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London.

Letters must be typewritten on one side of the paper only and double spaced with wide margins. Copy should be prepared in the usual style and format of the Correspondence section. Authors must follow the advice as regards to references and other matters contained in ‘Notice to Contributors’ to Anue.stlzr,sia printed at the back of each issue. Degrees and diplomas of each author must be given in a covering letter.

Correspondence presented in any other style or format may be subject to considerable delay and may be returned to the author for revision.

825