This course aims to give the student a comprehensive understanding of airway management and ventilation strategies in the critically ill or injured patient.    

 The course will use face-to-face teaching, skills workshops and discussion forums to explore the theory underpinning airway management and ventilation strategies in emergency care. Practical simulation will allow the student to gain additional exposure to the skills required to provide advanced airway management and ventilation.

Course content includes:      

• The airway and its assessment   
• Introduction to sedation and analgesia  
• Emergency airway strategies   
• Ventilators and ventilatory strategies   
• Medication facilitated ventilation   
• Medication facilitated airway management   
• An introduction to prehospital emergency anaesthesia   
• Front of neck access in the ‘can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate’ scenario  
• Clinical human factors and non-technical skills   
• Tracheostomy and laryngectomy emergencies   
• Multi-disciplinary team working   
• High fidelity simulation 
• An understanding of the underpinning literature and governance surrounding these interventions 

The course is facilitated by UH staff and external experts. The faculty is interprofessional, with staff from paramedic, advanced paramedic and other allied health backgrounds. Whilst exposure to these subject areas is intended to increase understanding and knowledge, it does not change your scope of practice for clinical employment.  

Assessment Details   

Practical OSCE stations including written, verbal and practical elements, worth 100% of the module mark.   

Successful students will typically:     

• Synthesise knowledge and understanding of relevant anatomy, pathophysiology and pharmacology and apply this appropriately to advanced airway and ventilatory management.   
•  Critically evaluate the evidence base to understand the risks and benefits of differing therapeutic options with regard to emergency airway and ventilatory management.  
• Interpret and critically analyse clinical data to formulate and implement a management plan which demonstrates a critical understanding of airway management and ventilation.   
•  Independently evaluate the role of effective team working and clinical human factors in advanced airway and ventilation management plans in critically ill and/or injured patients.