INTRODUCTION TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL
CARE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN - BASIC
Origins of EMS
• Department of Transportation (DOT)– Highway Safety Act of 1966
• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)– Emergency Medical Act of 1973
National Standard Curriculum
• Developed by DOT– First developed in early 1970’s– Current - 1994
• Purpose– Standardization of Training Programs– Standardization of Levels of Certification– Standardization of Patient Care
Components of an EMS System
• Advisory Council• Medical Direction
– The process used by the Medical community to assure quality and accountability in the delivery of pre-hospital care
– On-line– Off-line
• Protocols
• Quality Improvement
Components of an EMS System
• EMT Training– Initial– Continuing Education
• Instructor Training
Components of an EMS System• Communications Systems
– System Communication• Radio• Cellular
– System Access• 911• Other easily remembered numbers
Dispatch Center (located at designated hospitals)
Components of an EMS System
• Ambulance Service– Well Designed– Well Equipped– Well Maintained– Well Trained Staff
• Initial
• Continuing Education
Components of an EMS System
• System Evaluation– Risk Management/Loss Control– Outcome Studies– System Status Management
• Disaster Plans– Major Incident Response
• Designed by EMS
• Designed to Integrate with Other Agencies
Continuum of Care
• 1st Phase - Out of Hospital Care
• 2nd Phase - Emergency Department Care
• 3rd Phase - Definitive Care
EMS RELATED AGENCIES
• First Responders
• Law Enforcement– Police– Sheriff's Department– Department of Public Safety– Federal
EMS RELATED AGENCIES
• Fire Department
• Regional Organizations
• California Department of Health
Roles & Responsibilities
• Safety– Priorities
• Yourself
• Partner
• By-standers
• Patient
Roles & Responsibilities
• Safety (cont.)– Safe Behaviors
• Health– No Destructive Activities– Rest– Conditioning– Do not push body past limitations (Mentally and Physically)– Wear Personal Protective Equipment
• Survey Scene– Look for Hazards– Listen to Others
Roles & Responsibilities of EMT-Basic
• Patient Care– Patient Assessment– Basic Life Support– Mechanical Aids to Breathing– Pulse-Oximetry– Semi-Automatic External Defibrillator– Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (PASG or
MAST)
Roles & Responsibilities of EMT-Basic
• Patient Care (cont.)– Hand-held Metered Dose Nebulizers– Epinephrine Auto-injectors (Epi pens)– Nitroglycerin– Aspirin– Charcoal
Roles & Responsibilities of EMT-Basic
• Patient Care (cont.)– Oral Glucose– Bandaging & Splinting / Traction Splinting– Emergency Childbirth – Spinal Immobilization– Advanced Airway (Optional)
EMT-Intermediate Roles & Responsibilities
• Patient Care - Intermediate– Intermediate Patient Assessment– Advanced Airway
• Esophageal Airways
• Endotracheal Intubation (Oral & Nasal)
• Cricothyrotomy (Needle & Surgical)
• End-tidal CO2 Monitoring
EMT-Intermediate Roles & Responsibilities
• Patient Care - Intermediate (Cont.)– Vascular Access
• Intravenous
• Intraosseus
– Gastric Tube Placement (Oral & Nasal)– Pleural Decompression
EMT-Intermediate Roles & Responsibilities
• Patient Care - Intermediate– Drug Therapy– Intermediate Recordkeeping– Intermediate Radio Communication
EMT-Paramedic Roles & Responsibilities
• Patient Care - Paramedic– Advanced Patient Assessment– Drug Administration Techniques– EKG Interpretation– Defibrillation/Cardioversion
EMT-Paramedic Roles & Responsibilities
• Patient Care - Paramedic (Cont.)– External Pacemakers– IV Infusion Pumps– Mechanical Ventilators– Urinary catherization
Roles & Responsibilities of all EMS
• Extrication & Rescue
• Transport
• Transfer of Care
• Communications
• Records & Reports
Roles & Responsibilities of all EMS
• Patient Advocacy
• Maintenance– Vehicle Maintenance– Equipment Maintenance– Self
Personal Attitude & Conduct• Professionalism
– Appearance
– Attitude
– Manner
– Speech
– Writing
– Knowledge & Skills• Participation in Continuing Education
• Participation in Quality Insurance
Personal Attitude & Conduct
• Confidence
• Compassion
• Empathy
• Leadership
Personal Attitude & Conduct
• Sound Judgement
• Good Moral Character
• Stability
• Adaptability
California EMT-B Certification
• Requirements– Successfully complete an approved EMT-
Basic course– Submit to state:
• Course Completion Certificate• Completed EMS Personnel Application• application fees (if not exempt)
– Schedule National registry and state exam appointment through your EMT-Basic course