pain management certificate (methoxyflurane) · pdf filelearner guide 1 acknowledgements ......

Pain Management Certificate

(Methoxyflurane) Learner Guide

Learner Guide

1

Acknowledgements

This education resource has been developed by the Australian Lifesaving Academy.

Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) would like to acknowledge the following people who contributed their time and expertise to support the development of this resource: Natalie Hood National Medical Officer Surf Life Saving Australia

Marcia Fife State Emergency Care Advisor Surf Life Saving Queensland

Stuart Wall State Assessment Supervisor Life Saving Victoria

Robert OBrien Resource Development Coordinator Surf Life Saving Australia

SLSA would like to acknowledge the financial support it has received from the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Commonwealth of Australia does not give any warranty or accept any liability in relation to the content of this work.

Surf Life Saving Australia Ltd. This work is copyright, but permission is given to SLSA trainers and assessors to make copies for use within their own training environment. This permission does not extend to making copies for use outside the immediate training environment for which they are made, or the making of copies for hire or resale to third parties. For permission outside these guidelines, apply in writing to: Surf Life Saving Australia Locked Bag 1010, Roseberry NSW 2018 Ph: (02) 9215 8000 Fax: (02) 9215 8180 Web: www.sls.com.au All resources developed by Surf Life Saving Australia are reviewed at least annually and updated as required. Feedback can be supplied through the online Improvement Requests form on the Education Resources page at www.sls.com.au or in writing to the address above. Version 2.3 November 2012

http://www.sls.com.au/

Pain Management Certificate

2

Contents

Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................. 1

Course outcomes ............................................................................................................................. 3

Prerequisites .................................................................................................................................... 3

What you need to complete this course.......................................................................................... 3

Topic 1 - Pain and Analgesic Gases ..................................................................................................... 4

What is pain?.................................................................................................................................... 4

Measuring pain ................................................................................................................................ 4

Methoxyflurane ............................................................................................................................... 6

Penthrox Inhaler .............................................................................................................................. 6

Safety ............................................................................................................................................... 7

First Aid ............................................................................................................................................ 7

Topic 2 Contraindications and Precautions ................................................................................... 10

Contraindications ........................................................................................................................... 10

Precautions .................................................................................................................................... 10

Casualty questioning ...................................................................................................................... 10

Assessing level of consciousness ................................................................................................... 11

Topic 3 Administering Methoxyflurane ......................................................................................... 13

Administering methoxyflurane ...................................................................................................... 13

Self-administration ......................................................................................................................... 13

Procedure for administering methoxyflurane ............................................................................... 13

Special situations ........................................................................................................................... 16

Separation ...................................................................................................................................... 16

Hand-over to ambulance ............................................................................................................... 17

Topic 4 Storage and Documentation ............................................................................................. 19

Storage ........................................................................................................................................... 19

Access ............................................................................................................................................. 19

Audit ............................................................................................................................................... 19

Disposal of drugs ............................................................................................................................ 19

Documentation .............................................................................................................................. 19

Casualty-specific documentation ................................................................................................... 20

Storage and supply documentation ............................................................................................... 20

Assessment Information .................................................................................................................... 22

Assessment Portfolio ........................................................................................................................... 1

Learner Guide

3

Course Introduction Many casualties treated by surf lifesavers and first aid teams experience severe pain due to the injuries sustained. A casualty suffering severe pain can focus on little else and is often uncooperative and unwilling to help the first aider apply timely and effective treatments.

Methoxyflurane is an inhaled analgesic (pain relief) that has been used by ambulance services in Australia for many years. It takes effect quickly and wears off equally as fast, with minimal side effects. These properties allow the gas to be used to more effectively treat casualties in severe pain by lessening the disruptive effects of the painful stimulus.

Course outcomes

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Detail the principles of pain management

Demonstrate basic pain management techniques

Detail the safety considerations and procedures for administering methoxyflurane

Administer methoxyflurane

Complete documentation involved in the use of methoxyflurane.

You will also develop knowledge and skills to enable you to demonstrate competency in the nationally recognised unit of competency:

PUAEME005A Provide Pain Management.

This unit forms a part of the nationally recognised qualification Certificate III in Public Safety (Aquatic Search and Rescue)

Prerequisites

To commence training for the Pain Management Certificate (Methoxyflurane) you must meet the following course prerequisites.

Be at least 18 years of age on the date of final assessment

Hold the SLSA awards :

o Apply (Senior) First Aid Certificate o Advanced Resuscitation Certificate OR Advanced Resuscitation Techniques Certificate

have achieved the following units of competency

o HLTFA211A Apply First Aid o HLTFA412A Apply advanced resuscitation techniques o PUAOPE010C Operate a semi automatic defibrillator in an emergency o PUAEME003C Administer oxygen in an emergency situation

What you need to complete this course

A copy of this learner guide

A copy of your State Operating Procedure relating to Methoxyflurane administration

Pain Management Certificate

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Topic 1 - Pain and Analgesic Gases

This topic will assist course participants in developing the skills and knowledge to:

Describe what pain is

Explain the principles of pain management

Explain how to quantify pain

Identify a methoxyflurane vial and Penthrox inhaler

Explain the mode of action

Explain the safety precautions of methoxyflurane use

What is pain?

Pain is a sensation, ranging from mild discomfort to agony. The sensation of pain may be localised or systemic (widespread) and is subjective (varies from person to person). It is caused by stimulation of pain receptors.

Nerve cells convey information from receptors in the extremities and organs of th