Epilepsy Awareness and the Administration of Buccal Midazolam - Full Day

Duration: This six hour course will enable delegates to recognise and have confidence to support people experiencing different seizure types safely with dignity, and recognise the emergency situation and act as appropriate

This training will equip delegates with an understanding of the theory & practice of administering buccal midazolam, and the knowledge to administer buccal midazolam safely according to the individual care plan.

Assessment of learning is carried out during the course through supervised demonstrations, and questions and answers. It is recommended that following this course employer organisations provide work based assessment and initial supervision of practice.

Due to the practical component, places are restricted to 12.

Delegates: Those who work with or have contact with Adults or Children and who have some knowledge and experience of caring for a person with epilepsy.

This course is delivered in line with the current Joint Epilepsy Council Guidelines.

Buccal Midazolam is an emergency rescue medication prescribed by a medical practitioner or nurse independent prescriber. It is recognised that the administration of buccal midazolam for the control of prolonged or continuous seizures is an effective treatment which can be life saving. It is administered by a trained person to the buccal mucosa (between the gums and cheek) and is becoming increasingly popular due to its effectiveness in stopping seizures and its social acceptability.

In January 2012 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published Clinical Guideline 137 the diagnosis and management of the epilepsies in children and adults. NICE suggest the administration of buccal midazolam as an alternative to rectal diazepam as first-line treatment in children, young people and adults with prolonged or repeated seizures as per the individual protocol.

When buccal midazolam has been prescribed, there must be clear guidelines in the form of an individual epilepsy care plan giving all the relevant details such as when to administer, the dose and those authorised to carry out the procedure. (Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC 2013).

This training facilitates safe and appropriate administration of this medication providing all the necessary guidelines, policies and procedures are in place and followed.

Sample Course Content:

Epilepsy Awareness Covering:

• Defining epilepsy and some facts
• Epilepsy and Learning Disability
• Causes and diagnosis
• Classification and management of seizures with supportive DVD footage
• Triggers for seizures
• Observing and recording
• Epilepsy and mortality, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP)
• Risk assessments and care planning
• Psychosocial workshop
• Anti-epileptic drug therapy

The Administration of Buccal Midazolam

• The emergency situation-Status Epilepticus
• What is Midazolam?
• Uses in epilepsy, and other conditions
• Practical demonstration and DVD demonstration
• Possible difficulties in administration
• Overdose identification / action
• Action if midazolam is ineffective
• Organisational policy/protocols
• Individual care planning and recording
• Risk assessment/promotion of safety
• Duty of care issues
• Ethical and legal responsibilities
• Recap question and answer session
• Evaluations

For more information about this course and to discuss your requirements call us on 01939 236383 or via our contact form.