Awareness under Anaesthesia

Awareness during anaesthesia can be very distressing for a patient, particularly if accompanied by recall of the painful nature of surgery. This article explores the types, incidence, consequences, causes, management and avoidance of intraoperative awareness.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Postoperative Nausea & Vomiting

PONV can be common after surgery, although some patient groups are more prone to this than others. This module discusses this and what is the most effective and appropriate treatment for PONV.
Length of Study: 60 min.
Difficulty: Easy

Surgical tourniquets

Surgical tourniquets are commonly used in the operating theatres, particularly during orthopaedic cases. Although they are very safe when used properly they can have rare but catastrophic consequences. This module covers how, where and when to use them and more importantly when not to.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Sutures & Needles a review

This modules reviews different suture materials, absorbable vs non-absorbable, monofilament vs multifilament and the shapes of various needles used in surgery.
Length of Study: 80 min.
Difficulty:Easy

Diathermy:  the basics 

Electrosurgery or diathermy has allowed faster operating, reduced blood loss and new surgical techniques. It does have its dangers and its safe use in operating theatres requires a grasp of its mechanisms of action and potential pitfalls.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ketamine in anaesthetic practice

Ketamine is the only anaesthetic available which has analgesic, hypnotic and amnesic effects. When used correctly it is a very useful and versatile drug.
Length of Study: 45 min
Difficulty: Easy

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.

Length of Study: 45 min.
Difficulty: Easy
   

Post dural puncture headache

Post dural puncture headache is unpleasant, it may interfere with a new mother’s
ability to care for her newborn and it may extend the length of hospital stay. This module covers both prevention and treatment options.
Length of Study:  60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents

This module discusses aspiration which is a relatively rare, but potentially fatal complication of general anaesthesia occurring most commonly in emergency patients. Prevention is the key, and there are several mandatory requirements that must be fulfilled in the at-risk patient. However, in the event of aspiration occurring, treatment is essentially supportive once the airway has been secured.

Length of Study: 60 min.
Difficulty: Easy
   

Latex Allergies

Latex allergies can be present in both staff and patients. Perioperative workers have to be aware of the causes and consequences of latex products in the operating theatre.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Anaesthetic machine safety features

This module covers the safety features built into the modern anaesthetic machine. With more theatres moving to electronic self-checking machines this is a useful reminder of where we have come from and how safety is built into all aspects of the anaesthetic machine. It is also useful for anyone new to anaesthetics.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Never events: an anaesthetic perspective

The term ‘Never event’ is a recent term in healthcare, but one is here to stay. This module covers the never events relevant to anaesthesia and discusses where the term originally came from.
Length of Study: 60 min.
Difficulty: Easy

Predicting difficult airways

Proper airway assessment is essential and takes less than 2 minutes. This can give an indication of a potential difficult airway. This modules covers whats involved and what to look for.
Length of Study: 60 min. 
Difficulty: Easy

Surgical treatment of burns

This module covers the comprehensive assessment of burns, the steps and considerations involved in surgically treating these injuries.
Length of Study: 90 min
Difficulty:Easy

Rapid Sequence Induction

Rapid sequence induction (RSI) is a method of achieving rapid control of the airway whilst minimising the risk of regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents. This module covers RSI, its indications and contraindications.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Temperature Management in Children

Maintenance of normothermia in children under going surgery is challenging. There is clear evidence in adults that even mild intra-operative hypothermia is associated with adverse outcome. This short article discusses the problems and what we can do about it.
Length of Study: 40 min
Difficulty: Easy

The fundamentals of arterial lines

This module covers the basic principles behind setting up, inserting and monitoring intra-arterial blood pressure lines that an anaesthetic assistant needs.
There is also an separate advanced module available which covers more of the physics indepth.
Length of Study: 90 min
Difficulty: Easy

Emergency front of neck access in airway management

This module describes the guidance for emergency front of neck access, reviews techniques to improve decision making in the transition to eFONA and reviews the  ‘scapel, bougie,
tube’ technique when performing eFONA.

Length of Study: 45 min.
Difficulty: Easy
   

Air Embolism & anaesthesia

There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with air embolism. It is therefore important to have an awareness of its risk factors, presentation, means of risk reduction and management of the consequences. These are all covered in this module.
Length of Study: 60 min. 
Difficulty: Easy