Context

Local anaesthetics are amongst the most widely used drugs in any emergency department.

It is therefore essential that emergency medicine clinicians can use these drugs safely and effectively.

To achieve this, you need to:

Choose the right drug
Choose the right dose
Administer the drug safely
Be able to recognise and manage side effects correctly and promptly

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine curriculum[1] contains the following descriptors:

ACCS

Provide basic management of wounds, soft tissue injuries, fractures and dislocations including local anaesthetic techniques
Provide safe use of basic local anaesthetic techniques

Higher

Manage all wounds, soft tissues injuries, fractures and dislocations including local anaesthetic techniques and sedation.

This session does not attempt to describe specific local anaesthetic techniques.