The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study
Background. Critical care transfers (CCT) refer to the high level of care given during transport (via ambulance, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft) of patients who are of high acuity. In South Africa (SA), advanced life support (ALS) paramedics undertake CCTs. The scope of ALS in SA has no extended...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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South African Medical Association
2016-11-01
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| Series: | Southern African Journal of Critical Care |
| Online Access: | http://www.sajcc.org.za/index.php/sajcc/article/download/275/263 |
| _version_ | 1827392165405261824 |
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| author | Willem Stassen Monique Venter |
| author_facet | Willem Stassen Monique Venter |
| author_sort | Willem Stassen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Critical care transfers (CCT) refer to the high level of care given during transport (via ambulance, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft) of patients who are of high acuity. In South Africa (SA), advanced life support (ALS) paramedics undertake CCTs. The scope of ALS in SA has no extended protocol regarding procedures or medications in terms of dealing with these CCTs.Aim. The aim of this study was to obtain the opinions of several experts in fields pertaining to critical care and transport and to gain consensus on the skills and scope-of-practice requirements of paramedics undertaking CCTs in the SA setting.Methods. A modified Delphi study consisting of three rounds was undertaken using an online survey platform. A heterogeneous sample (n=7), consisting of specialists in the fields of anaesthesiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, critical care, critical care transport and paediatrics, was asked to indicate whether, in their opinion, selected procedures and medications were needed within the scope of practice of paramedics undertaking CCTs.Results. After three rounds, consensus was obtained in 70% (57/81) of procedures and medications. Many of these items are not currently within the scope of paramedics’ training. The panel felt that paramedics undertaking these transfers should have additional postgraduate training that is specific to critical care.Conclusion. Major discrepancies exist between the current scope of paramedic practice and the suggested required scope of practice for CCTs. An extended scope of practice and additional training should be considered for these practitioners. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:26:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dda046e583694a93a6369c3d1e67cbdd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1562-8264 2078-676X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T17:26:05Z |
| publishDate | 2016-11-01 |
| publisher | South African Medical Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Southern African Journal of Critical Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-dda046e583694a93a6369c3d1e67cbdd2024-01-02T19:21:35ZengSouth African Medical AssociationSouthern African Journal of Critical Care1562-82642078-676X2016-11-01322585810.7196/SAJCC.2016.v32i2.275The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi studyWillem StassenMonique VenterBackground. Critical care transfers (CCT) refer to the high level of care given during transport (via ambulance, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft) of patients who are of high acuity. In South Africa (SA), advanced life support (ALS) paramedics undertake CCTs. The scope of ALS in SA has no extended protocol regarding procedures or medications in terms of dealing with these CCTs.Aim. The aim of this study was to obtain the opinions of several experts in fields pertaining to critical care and transport and to gain consensus on the skills and scope-of-practice requirements of paramedics undertaking CCTs in the SA setting.Methods. A modified Delphi study consisting of three rounds was undertaken using an online survey platform. A heterogeneous sample (n=7), consisting of specialists in the fields of anaesthesiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, critical care, critical care transport and paediatrics, was asked to indicate whether, in their opinion, selected procedures and medications were needed within the scope of practice of paramedics undertaking CCTs.Results. After three rounds, consensus was obtained in 70% (57/81) of procedures and medications. Many of these items are not currently within the scope of paramedics’ training. The panel felt that paramedics undertaking these transfers should have additional postgraduate training that is specific to critical care.Conclusion. Major discrepancies exist between the current scope of paramedic practice and the suggested required scope of practice for CCTs. An extended scope of practice and additional training should be considered for these practitioners.http://www.sajcc.org.za/index.php/sajcc/article/download/275/263 |
| spellingShingle | Willem Stassen Monique Venter The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study Southern African Journal of Critical Care |
| title | The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study |
| title_full | The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study |
| title_fullStr | The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study |
| title_short | The capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers: A Delphi study |
| title_sort | capabilities and scopeofpractice requirements of advanced life support practitioners undertaking critical care transfers a delphi study |
| url | http://www.sajcc.org.za/index.php/sajcc/article/download/275/263 |
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