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Heartbeat: Nurses receive on-the-job toxicology training

July 18, 2019

Clinical colleagues have developed a new training programme which will teach nurses how to care for patients who have overdosed on medication.

Clinicians from the City Hospital-based National Poisons Information Service, the alcohol service, and the acute medical unit (AMU) at City, have worked together to create the four-week course for band 5 and 6 nurses working in those specialties.

It will involve them attending one study day a week with the sessions delivered by experienced AMU Sisters, Marsha Hooper, Hannah Ireland, and Charlotte Street, along with Michael Beech, Specialist in Poisons Information, who have also developed the training manual.

The sessions, which started in early June, cover common poisonings and how to care for patients who have intentionally or accidentally taken these medications or substances. It is for nurses who have not previously had toxicology training and is being carried out in cohorts of around six to eight nurses at a time.

Charlotte said: “Nursing is a lifelong learning career. We have to ensure that our knowledge is constantly up-to-date so that we deliver high quality, evidenced-based care to our patients. Undertaking and completing this course will give the nurses confidence in caring for patients who have been admitted following an intentional or accidental overdose and acute alcohol withdrawal.

“Patients who have been admitted under the toxicology speciality will benefit from being looked after by nurses who have a greater insight in the field.”

She added: “During the four-week course, nurses will have to complete 150 hours working alongside toxicology consultants and nurses to achieve competencies.

“During the study days the nurses will also be visiting the toxicology laboratory and the National Poisons Information Service.”

Senior Sister, Claire Obiakor, based within AMU at City, Dr Sally Bradberry, Director of NPIS Birmingham and the West Midlands Poisons Unit, Consultant Clinical Toxicologists Dr Muhammad Elamin and Dr Neelsuraj Patel have all supported the development of the course, with input from Senior Sister, Arlene Copland from the alcohol service, as the course includes the care and management of acute alcohol withdrawal.