Anaesthetics is a very hands-on specialty. Day-to-day work involves a mix of practical procedures, problem-solving, pre-operative assessment, and being involved in the team to review the sickest patients in the hospital. As an anaesthetics trainee, you will receive plenty of supervision and one-on-one teaching. In this article, we discuss what the specialty offers and how to
Welcome to ICU: Airway Management Starting in intensive care can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to managing airways. This guide will walk you through the basics in simple terms, so you feel more confident when you encounter these situations. Why Do We Intubate Patients in ICU? In the ICU, we intubate patients (put a
Digital nerve block is a quick and effective method to provide anaesthesia for injuries and procedures to the digits. This is a useful skill for any doctor working in the emergency department. This article will cover the relevant anatomy, indications, complications and technique to perform this procedure. Anatomy Sensation to the dorsal and palmar aspects
Ultrasound scan (USS) guided cannulation is a technique to obtain peripheral vascular access under ultrasound visual guidance. It is particularly useful when peripheral venous access is difficult. It is essential you are confident with cannulation before attempting USS guided cannulation. This article describes the equipment required and method for performing USS guided cannulation. Indications Venous
A fascia iliaca block (FIB) is a regional anaesthetic technique where local anaesthetic is deposited beneath the fascia iliaca to block the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and often obturator nerves. It is commonly used for analgesia in hip and proximal femur fractures, particularly neck of femur fractures. Approaches include the landmark (anatomical) technique, which will be
A central line is a catheter placed into a major central vein, typically the internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein, with the tip positioned in the superior or inferior vena cava. Types include central venous catheters, dialysis catheters, tunnelled lines (e.g., Hickman), and ports. Indications Contraindications Absolute contraindications include: Relative contraindications include: Complications Early complications:
In the intensive care unit, junior medical staff conduct and present daily reviews of their patients to seniors to guide the planning of care on the ward round.This may well seem daunting given how unwell and complex the patients might be but a thorough, well-structured A-E will give you most of the information you need
The Multiple Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based exam increasingly being used by many different specialties as part of core training applications. For all specialties, the MSRA score will contribute to or be the sole consideration for shortlisting candidates for limited interview slots for each specialty. Subsequently, the MSRA score will also (often) contribute
You may well be asked to take blood from a PICC line or be called to see a patient because their PICC line is not working. In this article we will take you through the basics of PICC lines, why they are needed, how to use them and some common pitfalls. Please note that procedures
