Chapter One

You and the Emergency Medical Service System

Objectives

1. Identify the 6 parts of the EMS system.2. Describe the function of each part of the EMS

system. 3. List 5 common barriers to action that may

prevent people from responding.4. Define the 4 conditions that have to be

present for a disease to be transmitted in a first aid situation.

5. List six guidelines for preventing disease transmission.

6. Identify 5 ways bystanders can help at the scene of an emergency.

7. List the four things you must tell a victim before gaining consent to give care.

8. Describe the three times consent is implied.

The EMS System

Network of community resources and medical personnel that provides emergency care to victims of injury or sudden illness

The EMS System is made up of -

Citizen Responder EMS Dispatcher First Responder Emergency Medical Technician Hospital Care Providers Rehabilitation

The Citizen Responder

Someone who recognizes an emergency and decides to help

First aid – is immediate care given to a victim of injury or sudden illness until more advanced care can come

In other words – this is you doing what you have learned

The EMS Dispatcher

The dispatcher is the person who receives the call from the citizen responder

This person determines what help is needed

Some are trained to give the caller instructions until EMS comes

In other words, the person who answers when you call 9-1-1

First Responder

This is the first person to arrive on the scene who is trained to provide a higher level of care

They are often close to the scene and have the appropriate equipment and supplies to give care

The Emergency Medical Technician

The EMT is capable of providing more advanced care and life support techniques

EMT Basic Level – all ambulance personnel have this basic training

EMT Paramedics – at this level they can give medication, IV fluids, and provide advanced airway care. They are the highest level of care outside of the hospital

Hospital & Rehabilitation

Hospital – once the victim arrives at the hospital, the personnel there takes over

Rehabilitation – the goal of rehab is to return the victim to his/her previous state of health

Your Role in the EMS System

Recognize that an emergency exists Decide to act Activate the EMS system Give care until help arrives

Recognizing an Emergency

Unusual Noises Unusual Sights Unusual Odors Unusual

Appearance and

Behavior

Barriers to Action

Presence of other people Being unsure of the person’s

condition The type of injury or illness Fear of catching a disease Fear of doing something wrong Fear of being sued Being unsure of when to call 9-1-1

Disease Transmission

In order to get a disease the following conditions must be present – The victim must be infected with a disease The rescuer must be exposed to the

infected victim’s body substance The rescuer must come in contact with the

substance through an entry site There must be a sufficient amount of the

infected body substance to cause infection

In other words…

Pathogen

Quantity

Susceptibility

Entry Site

Preventing Disease Transmission

Avoid contact Disposable gloves Breathing barriers Cover infected area Wash your hands Tell EMS or doctor if

you have come in direct contact with a person’s body fluids

The Good Samaritan Law

All 50 states have enacted Good Samaritan Laws

This gives legal protection to people who willingly provide care to ill or injured person

The laws protect citizens who act the same way that a “reasonable and prudent person” would if that person were in the same situation

Activate the EMS System

Know local emergency numbers Remember some buildings require you

to dial 9 (or some other number) to get an outside line

What the operator needs to know The emergency – info about the person Your name and number Location Do not hang up until the operator tells you

to

Give Care Until Help Arrives

If you are trained in first aid, you can give help that can save a life in the first few minutes

Get bystanders to help by – Calling 9-1-1 Clearing the scene Directing EMS personnel when they arrive Helping provide care Providing information about the victim Comforting and reassuring victims

Getting Permission to Give Care

Also known as consent You must –

Tell the person who you are How much training you have What you think is wrong What you plan to do

Then the person may decide whether they want care

If the victim is an infant or a child, get permission from the parent

If the person refuses care…

Do not help someone who refuses care

Get it in writing that the person refused care You sign Victim signs Witness signs

Implied Consent

If the victim is an infant or child and you can not find the parent

Unable to respond because of the illness or injury

If the adult is unconscious