HLTH 3017 Traumatic and Environmental Emergencies

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 401071

Coordinator Robin Pap Opens in new window

Description This subject deals with pathophysiology and pathogenesis of traumatic injuries and environmental emergencies as well as safe and effective out-of-hospital management of these patients. Best patient outcomes are achieved when out-of-hospital care forms part of a trauma system. Paramedics are required to make decisions to achieve the provision of the right care and transfer to the right hospital in the right time. This applies to both, the single-patient incident and the mass casualty situation. This subject aims to develop the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively manage the patient(s) suffering traumatic injury or an environmental emergency. Furthermore, the subject aims to prepare the paramedic student to be part of a major incident response.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Paramedical Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) HLTH 3014

Restrictions Students must be enrolled in 4669 Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedicine).

Assumed Knowledge

First and second year of the BHSc (Paramedicine).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Examine the incidence and mechanism of injury of a range of major traumatic injuries.
  2. Integrate patient presentation to underlying pathophysiology of traumatic injuries and environmental conditions.
  3. Describe, defend, demonstrate and analyse evidence-based out-of-hospital management of major trauma and environmental emergencies including effective integration into a trauma system.
  4. Apply clinical reasoning and problem-solving in complex single- and multiple-patient situations.
  5. Explain and apply principles of major incident management.
  6. Evaluate the roles and responsibilities of ambulance services and individual paramedics during major incident management including CBRN (chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear) events.

Subject Content

The subject covers the paramedic response to a range of critical environmental, physiological and traumatic emergencies, including:
1. Mechanisms of injury
2. Head, brain and facial injuries
3. Spinal injury
4. Thoracic injury
5. Abdominal and genitourinary injury
6. Musculoskeletal and soft tissue injury
7. Burns
8. Crush, blast and ballistic injuries
9. Environmental Emergencies
10. Toxicology, poisoning and envenomation
11. Principles of major incident management
12. Roles and responsibilities at major incidents including Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) events

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Literature Review NA 30 N Group
Quiz 2 hours 30 N Individual
Practical Exam Up to 1 hour 40 Y Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Cameron, P., & Little, Mark , editor. (2020). Textbook of adult emergency medicine (Fifth ed.).
  • Curtis, K., Ramsden, Clair, editor, Considine, Julie, editor, & Fry, Magaret, editor. (2019). Emergency and trauma care for nurses and paramedics (3rd ed.).

Teaching Periods

2nd Half (2022)

Campbelltown

Day

Subject Contact Robin Pap Opens in new window

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2nd Half (2023)

Campbelltown

On-site

Subject Contact Robin Pap Opens in new window

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Structures that include subject