CPD modules: Airway
You are free to download, print and study the modules. Once you have completed your reading come back and take the multichoice test. If you obtain a pass mark of over 80% you will have the option of printing out a certificate of completion.
Paediatric Trauma
Anatomical and physiological differences in children require special consideration and most seriously injured children have multiple injuries. This module is mainly for those who may be called to A&E resus but the general principles are useful for anyone who works with children.
Length of Study: 60 min.
Difficulty: Medium
Anaesthetics for obese patients
The prevalence of obesity has tripled over the past 40 yrs and there are now more than 650 million obese adults worldwide. This article offers an update of the perioperative risk and the associated morbidity that obesity causes and its impact on anaesthetic management.
When Anaesthetics Go Wrong
This one is a little different. There is no test at the end. The video is the story of Elaine Bromiley who died while under anaesthetic for a routine elective surgical procedure. Viewing this is a must for anyone working in the operating theatre and it is perfect to write up as an example of reflective practice. The PDF is an anonymous version of an Independent Report on the death of Elaine Bromiley.
Length of video: 15 minutes
Oxygen Saturations & Pulse Oximetery
The pulse oximeter provides an indication of oxygen status in the body. However, the link between a pulse oximeter reading and the events occurring in the body can be complex and difficult to evaluate. We all require an understanding of factors associated with oxygen uptake and delivery to be able to use pulse oximetry in a knowledgeable way.
Length of Study: 80 min
Difficulty: Easy
Difficult and failed intubation in obstetrics
Obstetric general anaesthesia is associated with a number of deleterious effects and it has long been recognised that airway management can be challenging and tracheal intubation more likely to fail. This module covers whys, hows and what to do when it goes wrong.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Medium
COPD and Anaesthesia
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a commonly encountered respiratory disorder. Patients with COPD pose a challenge to the anaesthetist because intraoperative and postoperative complications occur more commonly than in those without the disease, and can lead to prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality. This module provides an overview of COPD and discusses implications for the anaesthetic management of patients with the disease.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty Medium
Getting the best out of videolaryngoscopy
The benefits of videolaryngoscopy, especially in unexpected difficult intubations, are numerous but they are not just conventional laryngoscopes with screens. Many have different techniques and need specific training. This module gives tips on how it to use it to its best advantage.
Paediatric Anaesthetic Emergencies: Pt 2
Paediatric anaesthetic emergencies can happen faster and leave less time to react the in adults. They present complex, potentially life-threatening situations that everyone engaged in giving paediatric anaesthetic should be aware of and be able to treat.This second article covers malignant hyperthermia and anaphylaxis.
Length of Study 50min
Difficulty: Medium
Apnoea & Pre-oxygenation
Pre-oxygenation is used in anaesthesia to prolong the time to desaturation during a period of apnoea, such as frequently happens upon induction. This can also be thought of a denitogenation. This article covers the science behind it and discusses some patient groups that need special attention.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy
The Difficult Paediatric Airway
There are anatomical and physiological differences between the infant, child and adult that make even the normal paediatric airway difficult for the inexperienced practitioner, particularly in children under one year of age. Good preoperative assessment and preparation is therefore key to success of the management of the difficult airway in children. This article covers this and more.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficultly: Difficult
Safe tracheal extubation
This article covers complications occurring during emergence, extubation and later in recovery. It details the DAS guidelines on safe extubation and explains the factors that increase the risks of
adverse events. It also describes how to optimise conditions before tracheal extubation.
Paediatric Anaesthetic Emergencies: Pt I
Paediatric anaesthetic emergencies can happen faster and leave less time to react then in adults. They present complex, potentially life-threatening situations that everyone engaged in giving paediatric anaesthetic should be aware of and be able to treat.This first article covers laryngospasm and suxamethonium apnoea.
Length of Study: 50 min
Difficulty: Medium