SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Manage mentally ill patients in an emergency 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
254218  Manage mentally ill patients in an emergency 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Occupational Health and Safety 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Preventive Health 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  3 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable emergency care first responders and emergency care practitioners to manage patients who present suddenly with probable mental illness. The emergency care responders will be able to recognize mental illness as a treatable medical condition that could be potentially fatal to the patient or another person if managed inappropriately.

The learner will recognize that, although a patient's right to self determination may be affected due to their mental illness, they still have a right to dignity which must be respected at all times. All actions taken should be in the best interest of the patient, secondary only to the safety and security of the staff and others.

The qualifying learner will be capable of:
  • Explaining the common signs and symptoms of mental illnesses.
  • Describing the emergency management of mentally ill patients, including the appropriate transportation methods for such a patient.

    Range:

    All actions are carried out in terms of relevant current legislation and/or relevant current protocols and guidelines. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 3.
  • Proven competency in the following unit standards:
    > SAQA ID 119472: Accommodate audience and contact needs in oral/signed communication.
    > SAQA ID 120336: Provide risk-based primary emergency care/first aid as an advanced first responder in the workplace.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    This unit standard may be achieved in part, through recognition of prior learning. Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including current certificates of competence, reports, portfolios, work and performance records. Learners who have met the requirements of this unit standard may apply for recognition of prior learning to the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain the role of the emergency care first responder in the case of possible mental illness. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The signs and symptoms associated with possible mental illness are explained according to presented behaviour. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Patient's resistance to treatment; voluntary acceptance of treatment; identification of patient as a danger to self and/or others.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Possible causes which may mimic signs of mental illness are described. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia; hypoxia; pain; substance abuse; head trauma; acute myocardial infarction; cerebrovascular accident/stroke.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe the emergency management of a possible mentally ill patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Management of an overly excited patient is described in terms of using the voice as a therapeutic instrument. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The safe-guarding of patient is attempted whilst the actions required by the protocols are carried out. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Attempted removal of potential hazards from patient's surroundings; accompaniment of patient by others at all times; possible containment of patient in a secure room.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The safe-guarding of the patient and family is ensured until the order is received for transportation to a health care facility. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA or ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • The Patient's Bill of Rights.
  • DSM IV.
  • Current relevant section of the mental health legislation. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems regarding the probable presence of mental illness and make decisions regarding the prevention of complications, the referral systems to use and the care to be provided. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a first response team such as the police, ambulance services. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself responsibly in respect of patient control and managing family and bystanders effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Assess and critically evaluate information with regard to signs and symptoms of probable mental illness. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using friendly and non-assertive/non-threatening language when managing the mentally ill patient. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically with regard to information and communication systems to mobilize and transport the patient. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems as applied to the management of mentally ill patients in an emergency. The patient's dignity as a member of a family, community and society is upheld. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Credit Justification:

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcomes:

    Activity: Hours:
  • Classroom learning: 16 Hours.
  • On-the-job/scenarios/roll plays/coaching: 10 Hours.
  • Self directed learning: 4 Hours.
  • Total: 30 Hours.

    Credits Achieved = 3. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  78803   National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2013-06-02   
    Core  60249   National Certificate: Primary Response in Emergencies  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2010-06-02  HW SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.