Unit of competency
Modification History
Supersedes and is not equivalent to HLTANA003 Assist with airway management.
Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide assistance to the anaesthetist in airway management during anaesthesia and resuscitation, including difficult and emergency airways.
The unit applies to anaesthetic technicians working under the direction of, and in consultation with, an anaesthetist, in any hospital or day surgery setting.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Pre-requisite Unit
Nil
Competency Field
Anaesthetic Technology
Unit Sector
Health
Elements and Performance Criteria
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ELEMENTS |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
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Elements describe the essential outcomes |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
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1. Select, check and prepare airway management equipment. |
1.1. Review information about patient and type of surgical procedure and anticipate type and calculate size of airway management equipment. 1.2. Identify and respond to situations where anaesthetist needs to confirm selection. 1.3. Conduct pre-use safety check of selected equipment in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. 1.4. Diagnose airway management equipment faults and rectify within scope of role. 1.5. Prepare and position equipment for use following safe manual handling techniques. |
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2. Perform bag and mask ventilation. |
2.1. Position patient for bag or mask ventilation. 2.2. Confirm adequate ventilation and rectify any issues under the direction of the anaesthetist. 2.3. Insert oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway if indicated by the anaesthetist. 2.4. In consultation with the anaesthetist determine when to cease bag or mask ventilation. |
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3. Assist with insertion of supraglottic airway devices. |
3.1. Select, conduct pre-use check and prepare supraglottic airway devices (SAD). 3.2. Anticipate needs of the anaesthetist. 3.3. Assist with positioning of patient. 3.4. Provide assistance during insertion. 3.5. Inflate cuff of SAD in accordance with manufacturer guidelines, clinical indications and anaesthetist’s directions. 3.6 Secure airway into position when directed. |
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4. Assist with insertion of oral or nasal endotracheal or endobronchial tubes. |
4.1. Select, conduct pre-use check and prepare endotracheal or endobronchial tube and other intubation equipment as required. 4.2. Assist with positioning of patient for intubation. 4.3. Anticipate needs of the anaesthetist. 4.4. Provide assistance with insertion including use of stylet, bougie or laryngeal manipulation external technique. 4.5. Inflate cuff according to industry standard, if applicable. 4.6. Measure cuff pressure. 4.7. When indicated, assist with insertion of throat pack including appropriate documentation of insertion and removal. 4.8. Use a stethoscope to identify breathing sounds, if directed. 4.9. Secure airway into position when directed. |
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5. Assist with rapid sequence induction. |
5.1. Determine rationale for rapid sequence induction under the direction of the anaesthetist. 5.2. Select, conduct pre-use check and prepare equipment for rapid sequence induction. 5.3. Inform patient of procedures to be completed by the anaesthetic technician. 5.4. Apply cricoid pressure, monitor patient for vomiting and regurgitation, only remove pressure when instructed by the anaesthetist. 5.5. Assist with insertion of endotracheal tube. 5.6. Secure into position if directed. |
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6. Assist with predicted difficult airway and intubation. |
6.1. Discuss and confirm equipment preparation, intubation plan and contingencies with anaesthetist. 6.2. Select, undertake pre-use safety checks and prepare required equipment. 6.3. Inform patient of tasks to be undertaken by anaesthetic technician. 6.4. Anticipate anaesthetist needs in patient preparation and assist throughout intubation. 6.5. When appropriate, return clean equipment to storage location and send used equipment for processing. 6.6. Debrief with anaesthetic team on outcome of intubation. |
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7. Assist with connection and disconnection of patient to and from ventilation equipment during maintenance phase. |
7.1. Select and prepare ventilation equipment and materials. 7.2. Set ventilation modes, parameters and ensure warning devices are switched on, tested and are registering that the equipment is safe prior to use with patient under the direction of the anaesthetist. 7.3. Observe equipment whilst in use and take action immediately if fault develops to avoid danger to equipment, patients and staff. 7.4. Follow established procedures to rectify faulty equipment. 7.5. Check patient’s physiological parameters when required or as directed by anaesthetist. 7.6. Identify, validate and report deviations from acceptable limits of physiological parameters to the medical practitioner. 7.7. Report signs of patient discomfort, distress or adverse reaction to the anaesthetist. |
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8. Assist in management of patient’s airway during emergence phase. |
8.1. Assist anaesthetist with patient positioning to facilitate management of patient’s airway. 8.2. Assist anaesthetist to optimise oxygenation of patient. 8.3. Assist with oral, nasal, endotracheal and SAD suctioning. 8.4. Assist anaesthetist as required during SAD removal or extubation and be prepared for possible reintubation. 8.5. Provide reassurance to the patient and take action to limit injury. 8.6. Observe patient’s condition throughout the procedure and take action when required or at the direction of the anaesthetist. |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Unit Mapping Information
Supersedes and is not equivalent to HLTANA003 Assist with airway management.
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=ced1390f-48d9-4ab0-bd50-b015e5485705
