Paediatric first aid HANDBOOK A reference for Level 3 Paediatric First-Aid Qualifications ADDENDUM Paediatric First Aid - ADDENDUM (reflecting the new Level 3, 2 Unit Qualification) This addendum reflects the changes made to the new Level 3, 2 Unit Qualification for Paediatric First Aid and the additional content required for the qualification in relation to this publication. 1
Emergency paediatric first aid The following list gives the updated content required for the Level 3, 2 Unit Qualification. New required sections have been highlighted in green in the list and are included in detail in this addendum. Introduction - what is paediatric first aid? Provision of first aid in early years settings Role and responsibilities of the paediatric first aider Minimising the risk of infection NEW Personal protective equipment (PPE) First-aid equipment Storage and administration of medicines Incident recording and reporting Assessing an emergency situation safely Conducting a scene survey Casualty communication Primary survey Prioritising the treatment of infants & children Doctors ABCD Contacting the emergency services Unresponsive and breathing normally Secondary survey The recovery position Seizures Clearing up after an incident Unresponsive and not breathing normally Basic life support (BLS) Checking for normal breathing Initial rescue breaths (expired air ventilation) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Foreign body airway obstruction Obstructed airway A choking infant or child Recognising a choking infant or child Treating a choking infant Treating a choking child Action for a choking infant and child External bleeding The circulatory system Types of bleeding Wounds with embedded objects Managing minor and major bleeding Shock Physiological shock (circulatory shock) NEW Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis triggers 2
Managing paediatric illness, injuries and emergencies Bones, joints and muscles Fractures (type of fractures) Dislocations Applying an elevated sling Applying a support sling NEW Sprains and strains Head and spinal injuries Concussion, cerebral compression and skull fracture Spinal injury Conditions affecting the eyes, ears and nose Eye, ear and nose Chronic medical conditions or sudden illness Sickle-cell anaemia Diabetic emergency Asthma Meningitis and septicaemia Allergic reactions Febrile convulsions Extreme heat and cold Hypothermia Frostbite Heat exhaustion Heatstroke Electric shock High and low voltage Burns and scalds Burns and scalds Radiation, electricity, extreme cold, chemicals and dry heat Burn classifications Burn management: superficial burn, partial-thickness burn and full-thickness burn Chemical burns to the eye Poisoning Poisoning Bites and stings Insect bites and stings Animal bites Minor injuries Minor cuts, grazes and contusions (bruises) Small splinters Nosebleeds NEW Records relating to illnesses, injuries and emergencies Recording of information Confidentiality procedures 3
NEW Personal protective equipment (PPE) Personal protective equipment (PPE) helps to eradicate the spread of infection and cross-contamination. PPE places a barrier between the first aider and the casualty. Personal protective equipment may include: Nitrile powder-free gloves - the wearing of disposable gloves limits the possibility of direct contact with bodily fluids. Paediatric pocket masks - pocket masks place a barrier between the casualty and the first aider, reducing the risk of transferring infectious bodily substances, such as vomit and blood; they also inhibit the transfer of airborne diseases through the respiratory system. Eye protection - the wearing of eye protection helps to eliminate the possibility of bodily fluids splashing into the eyes. The required PPE should be selected according to the assessment of first-aid needs. New Anaphylaxis Anaphylaxis triggers Anaphylaxis is an extreme and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction which results in rapid chemical changes in the body. Anaphylaxis can be caused by a trigger such as insect stings, foods (for example, nuts or shellfish) and medicines (such as penicillin). Adrenaline auto-injectors are usually prescribed to children believed to be at risk. RECOGNITION swelling of the mouth, tongue, face and neck difficulty in breathing red, blotchy and itchy skin nausea anxiety TREATMENT Contact the emergency services (999/112). Encourage the child to use their medication if applicable (adrenaline or auto-injector). Sit the child down (if responsive). Remove the trigger if possible. Monitor them (airway and breathing). Be prepared to carry out basic life support. It is important that the casualty is seen by a qualified medical practitioner. 4
NEW Sprains and strains Although possible it s unlikely for young children or infants to suffer from a sprain or strain as their ligaments are predominantly stronger than their surrounding bones. Sprain and strain injuries normally occur in older children when they start running, climbing and playing sports. A sprain or strain is often referred to as a soft tissue injury. STRAINS SPRAINS RECOGNITION An injury to the joint caused by the ligaments being stretched. pain swelling bruising lack of mobility RECOGNITION An injury to either a muscle or a tendon, may be caused by a simple overstretch of the muscle or tendon or it could be caused by a partial or complete tear. pain muscle weakness localised bruising and swelling cramps TREATMENT R I REST the area where the injury occurs. Apply ICE (over a covering). C E COMPRESS the area. ELEVATE if possible. 5
NEW Records relating to illnesses, injuries and emergencies Recording of information Dependent on the field in which you are working there will be specific information and records that will require completing should an infant or child be involved in an accident, or become ill whilst in a childcare setting. The required information, collated in the accident book (dependent on organisation and protocol) could include: The date, time and location of the incident The full name and class of the injured or ill infant or child Comprehensive details of the injury or illness Details of any first aid provided What has happened to the infant or child afterwards The full name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident The name of the parent/carer/other professionals and the time they were contacted This recorded information in the accident book can: Help to identify trends Help to control health and safety risks Be used for reference in future first-aid needs assessments Prove useful for investigations Organisations that may require informing of an accident or illness (dependant on organisation and protocol) are as follows: RIDDOR HSE Local Education Authority (LEAs) Ofsted Local child protection agency 6
NEW Confidentiality procedures All records and information must be maintained and kept as confidential. However, there may be times when records and information need to be either obtained or shared with parents/carers, the police, Ofsted, Social Services and other professionals. All confidential information regarding children and staff must be kept securely and only accessible or available to those who have a right to access them. Anyone who is responsible for the storage of records and information must be aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 and, if relevant, the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) 2000. 7
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