Administration of Glucagon

This training programme is designed to provide the necessary training to enable the participant to administer Glucagon correctly and safely. This programme does not, however, authorise the administration of this medication. Authorisation comes from the Health Products Regulatory Authority and/or your management policy. Under Irish law, organisations that want to procure, store, and use emergency medicines must be listed with the HPRA.

Organisations that have a duty of care for a person(s) who has been diagnosed with diabetes.

The course has two components: Cardiac First Response (CFR) and the administration of emergency medications.
If you have a current CFR/FAR certificate the course will take four hours.
If not, the course takes one day.

· Recognise the signs of a life-threatening emergency.
· Respond in an effective, safe, and appropriate manner, to a life-threatening emergency, utilising basic life support skills.
· Retrieve and use an automated external defibrillator during a cardiac arrest.
· Report and record actions appropriately and provide a handover to emergency medical services.

1. Discuss what is meant by the following terms as set down in SI No. 449 of 2015

a. “an emergency”

b. “An emergency rescue organisation”

c. “a listed organisation”

d. “Supply and administration of medicinal products”

e. “The trained person”

f. “The accountable person” (Reg. 4E and eleventh schedule)
2. Outline the legal framework that enables the procurement, storage, supply and administration of the listed medications (S.I. 449 of 2015)
3. Recognising the signs of a life-threatening or potentially life-threatening condition

a. Establish if the patient has a prior diagnosis of diabetes and/or is prescribed Glucagon.

b. List the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

c. Discuss the normal range of blood glucose levels.

d. List the pre-checks before the use of a glucometer.

e. List the steps in measuring a patient’s blood glucose level using a glucometer.
4. Responding & Reacting in a safe and appropriate manner, the student will be able to:

a. Carry out the appropriate interventions including the administration Glucagon as per clinical practice guidelines to an adult and a child.

b. List the ‘6 rights’ of medication administration.

c. List the suitable injection sites for giving Glucagon.

d. Obtain patient consent prior to the administration of Glucagon where appropriate.
5. Reporting & Recording - safety including handover to Emergency Medical Services. The student will be able to:

a. List the steps to take for personal protection against infection.
b. Demonstrate correct disposal of the medication vial, syringe and needle.

c. Complete PHECC’s ambulatory care report (ACR) including the administration of Glucagon in the required manner.

d. Deliver a handover report to an appropriate practitioner.

Max number of students is 6.

Practical skills will be assessed throughout the course. At the end of the course there will be a 10 question MCQ exam.

Award of joint PHECC/Order of Malta CFR and named Glucagon cards/certificates to successful participants. Certification lapses after two years and a new course must be completed to maintain certification.