Courses - Epilepsy Awareness and Buccal Midazolam Administration

Buccal Midazolam is an emergency rescue medication prescribed under special license by a doctor to treat prolonged or repeated seizures and status epilepticus. It is administered by a trained person to the buccal mucosa (between the gums and cheek) and is receiving wide spread acceptance due to its effectiveness in stopping seizures and its social acceptability.

There are agreed guidelines on training standards for the administration for buccal midazolam produced by the JEC and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) suggest use of buccal midazolam as an alternative to rectal diazepam according to the individual agreed protocol.

Epilepsy Education and Training offer courses suitable for healthcare staff or families in line the JEC training guidelines and current best practice. Courses are combined with epilepsy awareness and practical seizure management for those new to epilepsy or available as buccal midazolam administration only for those who have already completed an epilepsy awareness course recently. This training facilitates safe and appropriate administration of this medication providing all the necessary guidelines, policies and procedures are in place and followed. In this way people with epilepsy can receive emergency rescue medication in a safe and dignified manner.

Example Programme (4 hours)

Epilepsy Awareness covering:-

• What is epilepsy?
• Causes of epilepsy
• Diagnosis
• Seizure Types (classification) – video/dvd
• Treatment with antiepileptic medication/side effects
• First aid for seizures
• Status Epilepticus
• Psychosocial and cultural issues
• Information and Support

The Administration of buccal midazolam covering:-

• What is Midazolam?
• Uses for epilepsy and other conditions
• Indications for use in epilepsy and benefits
• Appropriate doses
• Practical demonstration and DVD demonstration
• Possible difficulties and overdose identification/action
• What to do if ineffective

Health and Safety Issues covering:-

• Risk Assessment
• Individual Care Plans
• Organisational Protocols/local policies
• Duty of Care issues
• Legal responsibilities

At the end of the course the attendees will:-

• Have an understanding of epilepsy and its management
• Understand the psychosocial and cultural effects of epilepsy on individuals and families
• Understand the importance of care planning and risk assessment
  to ensure a safe environment and optimum treatment
• Be able to recognize seizures and take appropriate first aid actions
• Recognize the emergency situation and take appropriate actions
• Understand the theory and practice of administering buccal midazolam
• Have the knowledge to administer buccal midazolam safely in accordance with the individual care plan
• Receive a certificate of attendance valid for two years

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