Clinical Practice Guidelines - 2021 Edition (updated June 2023)
PHECC is pleased to announce the release of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) 2021 (updated June 2023). The latest version of CPGs have undergone an extensive development programme and include significant changes aimed at enhancing pre-hospital emergency care in Ireland.
Assessment and Treatment Standards
CPGs guide the practitioner in assessment, treatment and disposition of patients who present with an acute illness or injury. CPGs presume no intervention has been applied, nor medication administered, prior to the arrival of the practitioner/responder. In the event of another practitioner or responder initiating care during an acute episode, the practitioner or responder must be cognisant of interventions applied and medication doses already administered and act accordingly.
Requirements for CPG Implementation
The 2021 Edition of the CPGs take precedent over older versions. The 2021 Edition CPGs (updated June 2023) may be implemented provided:
- The Practitioner is in good standing on the PHECC practitioner's Register - Credentialed.
- The Responder maintains current certification as outlined in PHECC Education & Training Standards.
- The Practitioner/Responder is acting on behalf of an organisation (paid or voluntary) that is approved by PHECC to implement the CPGs - Licensed.
- The Practitioner/Responder is authorised by the organisation on whose behalf he/she is acting to implement the specific CPG – Privileged.
- The Practitioner/Responder has received training on, and is competent in, the skills and medications specified in the CPG being utilised.
PHECC Practitioner and Responder Levels
The clinical resources and guidelines are designed for the following clinical standards:
- Advanced Paramedic
- Paramedic
- Emergency Medical Technician (incorporating BTEC)
- Emergency First Responder (incorporating BTEC)
- First Aid Responder (FAR)
- Cardiac First Responder (Community and Advanced)
Governance and Categorisation
A number of CPGs and/or elements of CPGs have been designated as ‘non-core’, replacing the previous process of CPG exemptions. This recognises that not all Licensed CPG Providers need to implement every CPG. Council's decision (14th June 2018) to withdraw from granting exemptions to Licensed CPG Providers led to an instruction to the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) to review current CPGs and provide guidance to Licensed CPG Providers regarding the implementation of CPGs. This guidance also provides a standard for the conduction of Governance Validation Framework assessment of PHECC Licensed CPG Providers.
Related Clinical Resources
Clinical practice documentation also includes Medications for Listed Organisations (SI 449 of 2015) Edition 3, 2022, and the 2021 edition CPGs Field Guide.