It may include important information such as change of packaging or issues related to stock levels.
Within the EMC there are audio and video resources that provide additional information in a user‐friendly format, promoting the safe and effective use of a medicine. For example, a video clip may demonstrate how to administer a certain medicine correctly.
Conclusion
This chapter has provided an overview of the main pharmaceutical and prescribing reference guides used within paramedic practice. Guidance has been given to encourage you to start to navigate the JRCALC Guidelines in hard‐copy, digital and app format. This guidance will help to ensure you know where to find all the information needed about a medicinal product or device to guide safe and effective paramedic practice. The differences between paper‐based and online versions have been highlighted to ensure you are aware where to access the most up‐to‐date and accurate drug information. An introduction to additional resources has also been given.
Associated medications
The following are medications commonly used by paramedics in practice.
Take some time to look these up in the JRCALC Guidelines, section 7, and find the appropriate dose for an adult patient.
Make sure you can find the appropriate dose for a range of paediatric patients from 0 to 11 (if applicable).
Think about the medications, how they are used in practice, route of administration, cautions and contraindications. Make some notes about your own experiences of administering these drugs in practice, thinking about how you used a reference guide to find the correct drug information. If you are making notes about people you have offered care and support to, you must ensure that you have adhered to the rules of confidentiality.
| Medication | Your notes |
|---|---|
| Morphine sulfate | |
| Diazepam | |
| Furosemide | |
| Salbutamol | |
| Adrenaline |
Disclaimer
JRCALC is referenced within this chapter. Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee guidance is subject to regular review and may be updated or withdrawn. JRCALC has not checked the use of its content in this chapter to confirm that it accurately reflects JRCALC publications.
References
1 British National Formulary. (2020a). Adult BNF. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
2 British National Formulary. (2020b). Children’s BNF. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
3 Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). (2016). Standards of conduct, performance and ethics. www.hcpc‐uk.org/standards/standards‐of‐conduct‐performance‐and‐ethics/
4 Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). (2014). The standards of proficiency for paramedics. www.hcpc‐uk.org/standards/standards‐of‐proficiency/paramedics/
5 Joint Formulary Committee. (2019). How BNF publications are constructed: assessing the evidence. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/about/how‐bnf‐publications‐are‐constructed.html
6 Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC). (2019a). Clinical Guidelines. Bridgwater: Class Professional Publishing.
7 Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC). (2019b). Clinical Guidelines Pocket Book. Bridgwater: Class Professional Publishing.
8 Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC). Basic app. www.classprofessional.co.uk/digital‐products/apps/icpg‐the‐jrcalc‐app‐subscriptions/
9 Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC). Plus app. www.classprofessional.co.uk/digital‐products/apps/jrcalc‐plus‐app/
10 Pryor, C. and Hand, A. (2021). How to use pharmaceutical and prescribing reference guides BNF/cBNF/MIMS. In: Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Nursing and Health Care Students (eds I. Peate and B. Hill). Oxford: Wiley.
11 Young, S. and Pitcher, B. (2016). Medicine Management for Nurses at a Glance. Oxford: Wiley.
Further reading
1 Australian Clinical Practice Guidelines: Ambulance and MICA Paramedics. www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/wp‐content/uploads/2018/07/Clinical‐Practice‐Guidelines‐2018‐Edition‐1.4.pdf
2 Australian Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA): www.caa.net.au/
3 Australia, Paramedicine Board: www.paramedicineboard.gov.au/Professional‐standards.aspx
4 Electronic Medicines Compendium: www.medicines.org.uk/emc
5 Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC): www.jrcalc.org.uk/
6 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Information on medicines and prescribing: www.nice.org.uk/about/nice‐communities/medicines‐and‐prescribing
7 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN): www.sign.ac.uk
8 UK Drug Tariff: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pharmacies‐gp‐practices‐and‐appliance‐contractors/drug‐tariff
Multiple‐choice questions
1 What is the correct dose for the administration of benzylpenicillin sodium for a 9‐year‐old child?1.2 grams600 milligrams300 milligrams1 gram
2 According to the JRCALC Guidelines, paramedics can administer dexamethasone for which respiratory condition?CroupAsthmaCOPDBronchiolitis
3 What does PGD stand for?Parental guidance drugPrescription‐guided drugPatient group directivePatient‐guided directive
4 Paramedics
