ACPIC23: Care of the Older Person

Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC23)

ACPIC 2023 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Melbourne (September 2023) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.

Conference theme: Lead - Evolve - Impact

Care of the Older Person - Hip Fracture Care Guidelines in Australia - Are we adhering to the gold standards of care?

Hip fracture has a high morbidity and mortality rate despite improvements in care over the past 40 years. With an ageing population and high health care burden associated with hip fracture, a proactive approach is required to optimise the outcomes of these patients. A review of the guidelines highlights areas for improvement in the pre-hospital phase of care that can have a vast impact on outcomes.

Biography: Mel Alexander

Mel has been working for SA Ambulance for 20 years, and was a paediatric intensive care RN. She is an intensive care, extended care paramedic, and has qualified as a Paramedic Practitioner through Deakin University. She has worked in paramedic education and is currently focussing her research on Hip Fracture Care in South Australia and working towards her PhD.

Care of the Older Person - Care in Place

Older people, particularly those living in residential aged care facilities, often have poorer outcomes when transported to the emergency department due to issues such as frailty, cognitive impairment and co morbidities. However, this unique patient group presents challenges on many fronts for paramedics when attempting to provide care in place. Using a case study approach, this session will look at the risks and decisions behind avoidable hospital admissions for this patient cohort.

Biography: Sascha Baldry

Sascha completed a Bachelor of Paramedic Practice in 2015 and has been employed as a paramedic with NSW Ambulance working in the Murrumbidgee, Southern and South West Sydney areas. She is also employed as a sessional academic and research assistant at Western Sydney University, teaching into both paramedicine and interprofessional health science units. She is in the final year of a Master of Research and has been extensively involved with the Australasian College of Paramedicine for many years. She is currently a co-chair of the Community Paramedicine Working Group.

Care of the Older Person - Delirium and the Paramedic Detective

This session places the paramedic as a detective tasked with the prehospital assessment and care of the older person with delirium, an acute disorder of attention and cognition. The session will uncover the epidemiology of this condition, share assessment and care objectives, and discuss how registered paramedics can add value to the care of this cohort of patients.

Biography: Dr Tegwyn McManamny

Dr Tegwyn McManamny is an intensive care paramedic with expertise in patient safety, rural health and prehospital education. Tegwyn is an early career researcher, with interests in gerontology, health education and mixed methods research. Tegwyn is currently working for Ambulance Victoria as the Lead Patient Review Specialist for the Patient Safety and Experience Department.

Moderator: Dr Nigel Barr, Senior Lecturer, Paramedicine Discipline Leader and Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Paramedicine, University of the Sunshine Coast

PLEASE NOTE: We regret to inform you that this recording experienced unexpected audio disruptions. We hope you can still enjoy this recording and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the audio issues.