Laryngospasm in Anaesthesia

Recognition of at-risk patients will help to prevent laryngospasm and avoid potential significant morbidity. This module discusses laryngospasm, its recognition, prevention and treatment.
Length of Study: 75 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

Acute limb compartment syndromes

Compartment syndrome (CS) is a medical emergency, which needs to be recognised by those involved with the provision of anaesthesia surgery and  critical care. This module covers its diagnosis and treatment.
Length of Study: 50 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: 45 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

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

Sickle cell disease

Sickle cell disease is a disorder of the blood caused by an inherited abnormal haemoglobin. The abnormal haemoglobin causes distorted (sickled) red blood cells. When the number of red blood cells decreases from rupture (haemolysis), anaemia is the result. The irregular sickled cells can also block blood vessels causing tissue and organ damage and pain.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Bronchospasm during general anaesthesia

Bronchospasm is a relatively common event during general anaesthesia. Anaesthetic assistants need to know how to identify and treat bronchospasm. Management begins with switching to 100% oxygen and calling for help early. Increasing the inspired concentration of Isoflurane and Sevoflurane will produce bronchodilatation and is a good start.

Length of Study: 60 min.
Difficulty: Medium
   

Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity

Local anaesthetic systemic toxicity is rare but when it does occur its onset may be sudden and life-threatening so it is prudent to spend time preventing rather than treating it. All theatre staff should be aware of the doses limits of local anaesthetics they use as well as the causes, signs and treatment of LAST.

Length of Study: 50 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

Urea & Electrolytes: a review

Urea and electrolytes (U&Es) are the most frequently requested biochemistry tests. They provide useful information about several aspects of health, such as the volume of blood and its pH. The most important aspect of U&Es is what they tell us about kidney functioning.
Length of Study: 50 min
Difficulty: Easy

An urgent call to the labour ward

Emergencies on the labour ward may have obstetric, anaesthetic, or general medical causes. This module covers the most common emergencies on the ward and what the response should be.
Length of Study: 90 min
Difficulty: Easy

Placental Abruption

Placental abruption is defined as separation of the placenta from the decidua basalis before delivery of the fetus. It is extremely serious and potentially fatal.
Length of Study: 60 min
Difficulty: Easy

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

Pre-eclampsia and Anaesthetics

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterised by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, often the kidneys. Left untreated, pre-eclampsia can lead to serious even fatal complications for both mother and baby and the only cure is delivery.
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

Surgical smoke: is it safe?

Surgical smoke is now recognised as a hazard that is encountered in all operating theatres. Unfortunately, the dangers and health risks associated with it continue to be overlooked by many surgeons, nurses and theatre staff. It is important to be aware of the dangers of surgical smoke and for everyone to help minimise the risks.
Length of study:  60 min
Difficulty: Easy

Perioperative Cell Salvage: an introduction

This module discusses basics of perioperative cell salvage or call saver. Its principles, indications, contra-indications and the various types of system available.
Length of Study: 75 min
Difficulty: Easy

Suxamethonium Apnoea

This module describes the action of suxamethonium, the inheritance of suxamethonium apnoea, and the non-inherited conditions that can also cause it. The presentation and treatment of the condition are discussed.
Length of Study: 45 min
Difficulty: Easy