Emergency Management of Severe Burns Course in Taranaki

19 March 2013

A course aimed at all health professionals who may find themselves caring for an acute burn victim was recently held at Taranaki Base Hospital.

The Emergency Management of Severe Burns (EMSB) course is internationally recognised and teaches how to recognise, assess, stabilise and transfer a severely burnt patient. The course is costly but was kindly sponsored by Methanex, ITL, Tag Oil and Greymouth Petroleum allowing the training to be free of charge to TDHB staff.

It was very successful with 45 attendees from a cross section of Taranaki health providers, including Primary Health, Rural Nurses, Oil and Gas Paramedics, St John, Hospital Emergency and Nursing staff, Fire personnel and Trauma Nurse Coordinators from Tauranga and Waikato.

The course ran for a full day from 8am to 6pm and included a series of lectures, group discussions, life-like case simulations, and a written examination.

TDHB Trauma Nurse Coordinator Grant Looker said, “The feedback from staff who attended the course was overwhelmingly supportive and enthusiastic, though during the day there were a number of anxious faces at the prospect of the scenario testing and exam.”
Hawera Medical Officer Sarah Burling said, “The course was well structured with experienced and approachable faculty and I definitely feel more confident about assessing and treating severe burns.”

Dr Wong She, Clinical Leader of the National Burns Centre of New Zealand administrated the course and said treating serious burn injuries was a challenge for all medical professionals.  

Taranaki Trauma Service which comprises of Mr Glenn Farrant, General Surgeon and Trauma Consultant, Grant Looker, Trauma Nurse Coordinator, recognised the value of the EMSB course and sort out the sponsorship support that enabled it to come to fruition. “There are only four courses a year held in New Zealand and for two of those to be in New Plymouth is fantastic,” said Grant Looker.

Dr Farrant said in just about every industry in Taranaki there was a huge potential for staff to suffer serious burns and it was vital for staff to know how to handle the situation, staff who have attended this training will have enhanced skills and ability to assist in a Mass Casualty event. Another goal of providing the EMSB course was to improve interaction and discussion about trauma across pre-hospital and in-hospital services in Taranaki.

Last updated: Monday, March 18, 2013