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

Current imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic options for strokey - Presented by: Dr Henry Zhao

Stroke is a fast moving field and modern stroke medicine incorporates advanced imaging techniques to aid in the provision of highly effective reperfusion therapies. This talk will explore the basic concepts of the ischaemic cascade, imaging techniques for salvageable tissue and advances in therapeutics for ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.

Posterior circulation stroke - Presented by: Skye Coote

Review the anatomy and physiology of posterior circulation strokes including the clinical localisation of symptoms. Understand why these strokes are frequently misdiagnosed and the impact this can have on outcomes. Review some of the more common posterior circulation presentations

Pre-hospital triage of acute stroke in the era of endovascular clot retrieval – achieving equity of care - presented by: Dr Wayne Loudon

Treatment of acute stroke is time critical and requires early and accurate decision making to ensure patients receive the appropriate reperfusion therapies within the appropriate times. Prior to 2015 patients with an occlusion of a large cerebral vessel had a very poor prognosis however the advent of endovascular clot retrieval has drastically changed this. Pre-hospital clinicians are now more important than ever within stroke systems of care. This session will explore the importance of clinical assessment and retrieval decision making across metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia

The Australian Stroke Alliance - Presented by: Skye Coote

Improving prehospital stroke care – The Australian Stroke Alliance is a powerful collaboration of national agencies dedicated to improving stroke care for Australian’s suffering from stroke. It is revolutionising the prehospital setting, bringing new technologies, devices and care pathways to all Australians, regardless of location.

Biography: Dr Henry Zhao

Dr Henry Zhao is a consultant neurologist and post-doctoral research fellow affiliated with The Royal Melbourne Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Centre, The University of Melbourne and Ambulance Victoria. He completed his PhD in pre-hospital stroke care and is currently the clinical lead for the Melbourne Mobile Stroke Unit program.

Biography: Dr Skye Coote

Skye Coote is a Stroke Nurse Practitioner and is the Nursing Lead of the Melbourne Mobile Stroke Unit. She is also the project manager for the Australian Stroke Alliance's national prehospital stroke education program. Previously an ICU and ED nurse, Skye has worked in stroke for the past 12 years. She has a Masters Degree in Nursing, and is the only nurse in Australia to hold an Advanced Neurovascular Practitioner fellowship certification. She sits on the board of the Acute Stroke Nurses Education Network and the Association of Neurovascular Clinicians. She has published and presented internationally on stroke and the Mobile Stroke Unit.

Biography: Dr Wayne Loudon

Wayne Loudon is a Critical Care Paramedic and Senior Lecturer at the Queensland University of Technology. Wayne has been heavily involved in the development of Queensland prehospital guidelines for stroke care in the ECR era and completed his PhD investigating prehospital stroke care. His current research interests include the use of mobile technologies for prehospital neurocritical care and stroke systems of care.

Moderator: Dr Tegwyn McManamny, Intensive Care Paramedic and Lead Patient Review Specialist, Ambulance Victoria