UK AAA issues new clinical best practice guidance

A new clinical best practice guidance document has been issued by the UK Association of Air Ambulances (AAA). The document offers advice on advanced analgesia and sedation to promote best practice in advanced prehospital care delivered by helicopter emergency medical services. It is available only to members of the AAA.

Three other guides are being republished with updates: defibrillation and pacing during aeromedical transport; post return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) care; and photography and video imagery. All four documents were developed and published by the AAA’s Clinical subcommittee in May 2017 led by Dr Gareth Davies Medical Director of London’s Air Ambulance, the Association explained.

Each of the documents aim to provide an introduction, guidance and treatment recommendations for air ambulances, said the AAA, enabling them to adopt best practice in the topics they cover.

Dr Gareth Davies, chair of the AAA clinical subcommittee, said: “Improving patient outcomes through shared knowledge is essential and each of the best practice guidance documents published by the AAA’s clinical subcommittee aims to share knowledge and promote best practice. Pain control and sedation are fundamental elements of patient care, but in the complex environment can easily go wrong. Hopefully, this document will encourage safe and effective practices around the UK.”

The AAA best practice guides are reviewed and updated on an annual basis, said Davies. He continued: “The committee has an amazing amount of talent and experience around the table, which means the documents are distillations of many years of experience taking the best bits from services all over the UK. These latest guides will now be added to [a] growing list of best practice guides available to the HEMS community”