EMS Training
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EMS Training Epilepsy and Seizure Management TRAINER’S GUIDE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLYEMS Training | Trainer’s Guide 1 The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and SUDEP, find a cure, and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy, and research to accelerate ideas into therapies. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsy.com © 2015 Epilepsy Foundation of America, Inc. FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................ 4 Training Goals ................................................................................................. 4 About This Trainer’s Guide.............................................................................. 5 The Layout ..................................................................................................... 5 Training-at-a-Glance ........................................................................................... 6 Resources/Materials .......................................................................................... 6 Part 1: Training Opening & Overview ................................................................ 7 Opening/Introductions .................................................................................. 7 Highlights of the EMS Project ........................................................................ 7 Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................... 7 Part 2: Understanding Seizures .......................................................................... 9 General seizure statistics ............................................................................... 9 Seizure description ........................................................................................ 9 Seizure vs intoxication ................................................................................. 10 Typical causes for seizures ........................................................................... 11 Part 3: What is Epilepsy? .................................................................................. 12 Facts and myths about epilepsy ................................................................... 13 Define epilepsy ............................................................................................ 14 Epilepsy definition ....................................................................................... 14 Causes of epilepsy ....................................................................................... 14 Possible triggers for epilepsy-related seizures ............................................. 15 Two types of epilepsy-related seizures ........................................................ 15 Generalized seizures .................................................................................... 16 Partial seizures ............................................................................................. 17 Part 4: Treating Seizures .................................................................................. 22 Treatment don’ts ......................................................................................... 23 Treatment do’s .............................................................................................. 24 Postictal phase ............................................................................................. 25 Situational treatments ................................................................................. 25 Treatment guidelines ................................................................................... 26 ALS circumstances ....................................................................................... 29 SAMPLE ........................................................................................................ 30 Part 5: Wrap-Up ............................................................................................... 35 Medicines for Epilepsy Chart ....................................................................... 36 FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY Introduction The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes how important EMS response can be to the health and safety of people experiencing seizures. Proper training in responding to a seizure is particularly important considering the likelihood of EMS personnel encountering such a medical Training Goals event – there are nearly three million Americans subject to seizures caused by epilepsy and This training is designed to: millions more who may experience one or more • Strengthen EMS personnel seizure episodes as a result of trauma or other knowledge about seizures. acute or chronic illness. This training is designed to prepare EMS responders for these events and • Enhance their ability to provide them with the information necessary to respond to those experiencing provide appropriate treatment. a seizure. • Help EMS personnel make more informed decisions about additional care and hospital transport. About This Trainer’s Guide The Epilepsy Foundation realizes that not all facilitators of this training will be EMS or other medical personnel. To accommodate this likelihood, this trainer’s guide is designed to enable affiliate staff and/or trained volunteer facilitators to conduct the training as required. NOTE: Whenever possible, it is highly recommended that affiliate staff partner/co- facilitate with someone from the local EMS team or another medical expert to ensure that technical questions are addressed and local protocols honored. 4 Epilepsy Foundation FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY The Layout Each portion of this guide shows a time estimate at the top along with the section title. In some instances, the time estimate represents a range. This reflects the fact that there may be one or more optional activities that the trainer may choose depending on the amount of time available for the entire training. SAMPLE: The left-hand column lists points of discussion for that segment of the training. Once you become fully familiar with the content The right-hand column contains and structure of this document, the detailed content of the you will find that the left-hand training, developed by a team column serves as an at-a-glance of professionals. This area of the outline. guide also serves as your sample script. PART X: Title Duration: X-XX minutes Outline Content TRAINING TIP: Trainer’s Notes: Shaded training tips. Extra white space for handwritten notes. FOR PERSONAL USE ONLYEMS Training | Trainer’s Guide 5 Training-at-a-Glance This trainer’s guide is divided into five parts: TOPICS ACTIVITIES TIME 1. Training Opening & l Outline goals and objectives 3-5 Overview l Highlight the role of EMS l Set the tone of the training 2. Understanding Seizures l Define seizures 5-10 l Describe types of seizures l List typical causes 3. What is Epilepsy? l Describe epilepsy 15-20 l Dispel myths about epilepsy l List causes and triggers l Discuss generalized and partial seizures 4. Treatment Options l Review general treatment do’s and don’ts 20-30 l Review treatment guidelines for various scenarios 5. Wrap-Up l Review the Participant’s Guide 5-10 l Pose final questions l Bring session to a close Resources/Materials The entire package consists of: l Trainer’s Guide l Participant’s Guide l Instructional DVD – “A Guide to Seizure Management for Emergency Responders” 6 Epilepsy Foundation FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY PART 1: Training Opening & Overview Duration: 3-5 minutes Outline Content Introduce yourself I’d like to officially welcome you to thew start of the Epilepsy and Seizure (and co-facilitator as Management training specially designed for EMS personnel by the appropriate) Epilepsy Foundation. My name is ____________ and I’m ____________. Describe their As EMS personnel, you are often the first responders when someone is important role in experiencing a seizure. The Epilepsy Foundation recognizes how important treating seizures that EMS response can be to the health and safety of an estimated three million Americans subject to seizures caused by epilepsy; and to the millions more who may experience one or more seizure episodes as a result of trauma or other acute or chronic illness. Given the prevalence and critical nature of these events, the Foundation has prepared this manual to provide information and training crucial to an effective EMS response to seizures. Review the overall This training is designed to educate EMS personnel about epilepsy and goals of the training responding to persons experiencing seizures. Share the goals and In general, the goals are to : learning objectives – roadmap for the l Strengthen your knowledge about seizures training l Enhance your ability to respond to those experiencing a seizure l Help you make more informed decisions about additional care and hospital transport Specifically, our objectives are to: l Define what a seizure is and list various causes. l Explore the basics of epilepsy. l Differentiate between the types of epileptic seizures. Optional l Outline and discuss appropriate treatment