Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

Duties of the on call anaesthetistsTrauma callsThe senior nurse or doctor in the Emergency Department will calltrauma alerts, on information received or patient assessment. TheICU specialty registrar is normally called first on bleep 1352 as amember of the core trauma team and you will be called as a memberof the extended trauma team if anaesthesia services are needed.Where possible an estimated time of arrival will be given. A smallnumber of trauma alerts turn out to be false alarms. These areconsidered the acceptable false positive rate in order to ensure acomprehensive response for trauma patients.You are expected to supply anaesthesia services to such patients,although if you are engaged in anaesthetising a patient you shouldensure that the trauma team is aware of this. If you cannot attendwhen crash-called, phone 2222 immediately and inform switchboard.Liaise with the general consultant on call when a patient is admittedwith serious injuries. Confirmed major trauma should be notifiedimmediately to the general consultant on call.Remember to liaise with the trauma anaesthetist on bleep 2721 if youare aware of cases that will need to go to theatre as an emergency.There is a Major Incident Procedure (see page 240). Read it beforeone happens.Perianaesthesia care unit (PACU)You are responsible for making sure that the resident anaesthesiateam reviews patients in the overnight intensive recovery area at08:00 and 17:00, and when necessary in between regular wardrounds (see page 51 for details about PACU). You should involve thesurgical team as appropriate.Working with other departmentsYou may be called to assist with a variety of problems in the hospital.The department has circulated advice on the appropriate means fordoing this in order to limit inappropriate calls (see page 48).Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010 35