Paramedic Science placement: Call an adult x565.37

Alex talks about practising the advanced clinical skills paramedics are able to do, and the case study he is writing about a patient with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Advanced clinical skills learnt in Paramedic Science

Second year of Paramedic Science has been exciting and tough to say the least; we have just completed all of our advanced clinical skills in the run-up to placement. Some of the skills we’ve learnt are Needle Chest Decompression, Needle Cricothyroidotomy, Intubation, IV Cannulation, EZ-IO, External Jugular Vein Cannulation and i-gels.

The good thing about the BSc Paramedic Science course is that it teaches every paramedic skill we are governed to practice. Intubation is a skill we cannot practice as it varies between trusts.

Theory and assessment for our placement

Alongside learning these clinical skills, our theory lectures have focused on applied anatomy and physiology which has proven to be really interesting. To complement our placement Practice Assessment Document (PAD) we have to write a 4,500-word case study review for the Applied Anatomy and Physiology module.

I have chosen to write about a patient I went to. He suffered a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). I was able to recognise he was ‘big sick’ and presented my treatment plan to the crew on scene, who agreed with my diagnosis. As a friend on Twitter said to me after I told him about the job, he simply replied ‘Call an adult x565.37’ which I couldn’t help but find to be very true! I was astonished to hear that he survived to discharge; roughly 90% of patients suffering a ruptured AAA die before they reach to hospital. The kind words and thanks his family sent my way have certainly inspired me to continue to give it 100% on my paramedic degree.

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Alex studies Paramedic Science at ARU. You can find out more about this and other degree courses at one of our Open Days.