The following emergency responses learning resources have been selected by the CPD Committee in collaboration with special interest groups of the College in order to provide CPD participants with support resources when undertaking emergency responses activities. The resources are not created and accredited by the College but they are linked to below for your convenience. Where usernames and passwords are required for access, CPD participants should use the contact details on the relevant websites in order to gain access.
Recognised emergency algorithms
Please Note: ANZCA does not exclusively endorse any one emergency algorithm for CICO situations but recognises the need for clinicians to be familiar with at least one. The following algorithms are suitable for use in infraglottic airway access/ front-of neck access and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying background articles:
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. PS61 Guidelines for the Management of Evolving Airway Obstruction: Transition to the Can’t Intubate Can’t Oxygenate Airway Emergency [Internet]. 2017.
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. PS61 Guidelines for the Management of Evolving Airway Obstruction: Transition to the Can’t Intubate Can’t Oxygenate Airway Emergency: Background Paper [Internet]. 2017.
Chrimes N, Fritz P. The vortex approach: management of the unanticipated difficult airway [Internet]. 2013.
Sabato SC, Long E. An institutional approach to the management of the 'Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate' emergency in children. Paediatr Anaesth 2016;26(8):784-793. [Internet].
Heard A. Percutaneous Emergency Oxygenation Strategies in the ‘Can’t Intubate, Can’t Oxygenate’ Scenario. Smashworks Editions, 2013. [Ebook]. Request a chapter from Library.
Greenland KB, Acott C, Segal R, Goulding G, Riley RH, Merry AF. Emergency surgical airway in life-threatening acute airway emergencies - why are we so reluctant to do it? Anaesth Intensive Care 2011;39(4):578-584. [Internet].
More information available here [college website]
Our most popular course is now back online after a major refresh.
Participants may complete of the Perioperative Anaphylaxis Response course as it has been developed specifically to meet the requirements of the anaphylaxis emergency response standard.
Perioperative Anaphylaxis Response course, access through Learn@ANZCA. (Only available to FANZCA, FFPM and participants of the ANZCA and FPM CPD program).
Recognised emergency algorithms and guidelines
ANZCA recognises that several published algorithms exist for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Many of these involve the treatment of anaphylaxis in settings other than a highly monitored critical care environment and are intended for use by noncritical care specialists.
ANZCA has co-badged the second version the Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group (ANZAAG) Anaphylaxis Management Guidelines for the management of perioperative anaphylaxis in settings where medical professionals with experience titrating intravenous adrenaline provide continuous monitoring of physiological parameters.
For the treatment of other anaphylaxis outside of these settings, Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Acute Management of Anaphylaxis Guidelines should be followed. The New Zealand Resuscitation Council also provides algorithms for the management of anaphylaxis in adults and children.
The algorithms can be accessed via the links below:
Recommended readings:
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group (ANZAAG). Perioperative Anaphylaxis Management Guidelines. 2016. [Internet] . Accessed August 23 2018.
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic Allergy Group (ANZAAG). Perioperative Anaphylaxis Management Guidelines: Background Paper. 2016. [Internet] . Accessed August 23 2018.
More information available here [college website]
Recognised emergency algorithms
ANZCA exclusively endorses the ALS guidelines of the Australian Resuscitation Council and the New Zealand Resuscitation Council. Specialists with specific sub-specialty practice, or specialists resident in other countries, should contact the CPD team to ascertain if alternative guidelines are recognised for their individual circumstances.
More information available here [college website]
Cardiac arrest - Specialist Pain Medicine Physicians (SPMP)
More information for cardiac arrest SPMP available here [college website]
The Royal Melbourne Hospital's Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management runs courses throughout the year for health professionals.
Courses include:
The Department of Anaesthesia at Western Health has a long history of providing quality clinical education, hands on training and simulation for doctors, nurses and technicians. They offer courses that utilise a combination of presentations, skills training and fully immersive simulation.
Courses include:
Want to learn more about the ANZCA & FPM CPD program? Try the ANZCA & FPM CPD Program webpage
Looking for a complete list of CPD activities and where to complete them? Try the CPD program requirements page.
Trying to keep up-to-date? Try our Keeping Current guide.
Want to test your knowledge? Check out our Self-assessment Tools guide.
Australian Medical Association (AMA)
Information regarding the CPD requirements for medical practitioners in Australia:
Continuing Professional Development – Medical Board requirements
COVID-19 Airway Management Emergency Response Module
These provider materials, provided by the authors of the COVID 19 Airway Team Training course demonstrate an approach to this training that may qualify for CPD points under ANZCA CPD Standards for COVID-19 Airway Management Emergency response education sessions.
CATT Course
The CATT course uses the Safe Airway Society algorithms however providers may use these materials to create their own training materials using their preferred algorithms.
Participants may complete either, or both, of the BloodSafe elearning Australia’s online modules as each of these have been recognised as a Major Haemorrhage activity.
Critical Bleeding, based on the National Blood Authority's Patient Blood Management Guidelines: Module 1 Critical Bleeding/Massive Transfusion.
Obstetrics and Maternity, based on the National Blood Management Guidelines: Module 5 Obstetrics and Maternity (Postpartum Haemorrhage)
Recognised algorithms and guidelines
ANZCA does not exclusively endorse any one algorithm or guideline for the management of major haemorrhage but recognises the need for clinicians to be familiar with at least one. The following guidelines are recognised as being suitable for use in this module:
National Blood Authority of Australia. Patient Blood Management Guidelines: Module 1 Critical Bleeding/Massive Transfusion. 2011. [Internet] Accessed August 23 2018.
Australian and New Zealand Society of Blood Transfusion (ANZSBT). Guidelines for the Administration of Blood Products. 2018. [Internet] . Accessed August 23 2018.
Kozek-Langenecker SA, Afshari A, Albaladejo P, Santullano CA, De Robertis E, Filipescu DC, et al. Management of severe perioperative bleeding: guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology. Eur J Anaesthesiol 2013:34(6):270-382. [Internet]. Accessed August 23 2018.
Mavrides E, Allard S, Chandraharan E, Collins P, Green L, Hunt BJ, et al. on behalf of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Prevention and management of postpartum haemorrhage. BJOG 2016;124:e106–e149. [Internet] . Accessed August 23 2018.
Cannon JW, Khan MA, Raja AS, Cohen MJ, Como JJ, Cotton BA, et al. Damage control resuscitation in patients with severe traumatic haemorrhage: a practice management guideline from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2017;82(3):605-17. [Internet] . Accessed August 23 2018.
This article is also suggested as recommended reading:
Blain S, Paterson N. Paediatric massive transfusion. BJA Educ 2015;16(8):269-75. [Internet] . Accessed August 23 2018.
More information available here [college website]
Behavioural emergencies are dangerous, occur in a diversity of individuals and settings, and require prompt control to prevent injury to the patient, staff and others present.
Relevant clinical guidelines on the safe care of patients sedated for acute behavioural disturbance with particular reference to the ANZCA document
PS63 Guideline for Safe Care for Patients Sedated in Health Care Facilities for Acute Behavioural Disturbance+ background paper
More information available here [college website]
ANZCA acknowledges the traditional custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past, present, and emerging.
ANZCA acknowledges and respects Māori as the Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa and is committed to upholding the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, fostering the college’s relationship with Māori, supporting Māori fellows and trainees, and striving to improve the health of Māori.