Online pre-hospital Airway Matters module is open-access learning first

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) has partnered with University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) to create a new pre-hospital module for Airway Matters – the trust’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) which, since launching in 2020, has attracted over 30,000 learners from 165 countries.

The new module – which is the first pre-hospital open-access education content of its kind – explores the technical and non-technical elements that support the development of strategies for safe airway management in the pre-hospital setting. The pre-hospital environment presents clinicians with particular challenges due to the need to treat critically ill patients within complex scenes and in any environmental conditions. Through expert interviews, practical lessons, interactive steps and training videos, learners can now enhance their understanding and develop new skills to improve patient safety in what is a high risk area of clinical practice.

Dr Julian Wijesuriya, KSS Doctor and UCLH Consultant Anaesthetist who has led the development of the pre-hospital content, said, “It is a great privilege to contribute to the renowned Airway Matters course, and the partnership between KSS and UCLH highlights the value of collaboration between innovative healthcare organisations.

“KSS safely delivers advanced airway interventions through a system of robust training, standardised processes and strong clinical governance. There is also a culture of case-review, research and shared learning that promotes patient safety and contributes to the clinical evidence base.

“By sharing clinical expertise and organisational experience with multi-disciplinary learners on a global platform, we can help to improve patient safety and outcomes.”

David Welch, CEO of KSS, said, “Being invited to contribute to this pioneering course is testament to the extraordinary expertise of our medical crews, who deliver outstanding pre-hospital emergency care 24/7 to the 4.8 million people who live in our region. Our doctors and critical care paramedics are recognised leaders in this field and, by sharing their specialist knowledge, they have an important role to play in improving patient outcomes.

“KSS is a charity, and this collaboration highlights how charities like KSS work in partnership with the NHS to deliver vital healthcare services for patients. Each year, our charity must raise £15.2m to operate our service, and 86% of our total income is raised through the generosity of our supporters. I thank you all for helping us to save lives today and, through education programmes like Airway Matters, ensuring we can help to save even more lives in the future.”

Airway Matters is open to all health professionals who care for patients with compromised airways and is free of charge.