AMBULANCE OPERATIONS

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AMBULANCE OPERATIONS
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Lesson Objective Describe basic rules and
techniques associated with the ambulance
operations.
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Overview

• Phases of an Ambulance Call
• Guidelines for safe ambulance operations
• Air Medical Operations
• Aeromedical Consideration

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Phases of an Ambulance Call

• Preparation for the call -
• Availability and readiness of equipment and
  supplies.

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Equipment

• EMT - B will have access to a large variety of
  equipment and supplies.

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Medical

• Basic supplies
• Airways - oropharyngeal for adults, children, and
  infant
• Suction Equipment - both portable and on board
• Oxygen inhalation equipment - portable-300 L
  capacity,
• on-board 3,000 L of oxygen

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Medical supplies

• Artificial ventilation devices - pocket and BVM
• CPR equipment - CPR board -so that you can give
  effective chest compression
• Basic wound care supplies
• Splinting supplies
• Childbirth supplies

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Medical supplies

• Medications - activated charcoal, Tubes of oral
  glucose, oxygen, snakebite kit depends on local
  protocol.
• Automated external defibrillator
• Jump Kit - light, durable, waterproof, a
  5 minute kit

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Equipment

• Non-medical
• Personal safety equipment
• Maps

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Preparation for the call

• Personnel
• Available for response
• Minimum one EMT-B in patient compartment
• Daily inspection
• Inspection of vehicle systems

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Preparation for the call

• Equipment
• Checked and maintained
• Restocked and repaired
• Batteries - operated equipment daily

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Dispatch

• Readily accessible- 24-hour availability,
  operated by EMS itself or shared with law
  enforcement, and fire dept..
• a. Trained personnel - familiar with both the
  geography of service area an the capabilities of
  the agencies they are dispatching.

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Dispatch

• Dispatched information
• Nature of call
• Name, location and callback number of caller
• Location of patient
• Number of patients and severity
• Other special problems - Hazards or weather
  conditions

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Response Phase

• Before you move the unit make sure you and your
  partner fasten seatbelts and shoulder harness.
• Notify dispatch/medical control center (MCC) -
  Inform dispatch your unit is responding, confirm
  nature and location, ask any other available
  information about location.

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Response Phase

• Characteristics of good ambulance drivers
• Physically fit - not taking medications.
• Never drive or provide medical care after
  drinking alcohol
• Mentally fit - Emotion stability - ability to
  operate under stress.
• Attitude - Positive attitude ,have confidence ,
  shows responsibility.

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Response Phase

• Safety- safe vehicle operations -
• First rule in the safe driving of an emergency
  vehicle is that speed does not save lives.
• Weather and road condition -
• Hydroplaning
• Water on the Roadway
• Decrease Visibility
• Ice and slippery surface.

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Vehicle operations

• Use of lights and siren
• Safe following distance
• Parking considerations
• Laws and regulations
• Use of escort
• Intersections hazards

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Arrival Phase

• Report to dispatch
• Conduct a scene size-up
• Determine Mechanism of injury/nature of illness
• Provide emergency medical care

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Departure from scene

• Package for transport
• Notify dispatch/receiving hospital
• Monitor patient/perform on-going assessment
• Prepare written report

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Delivery and Postrun Phase

• Notify dispatch upon arrival- Priority is
  transfer of the patient and patient information
  to the hospital staff. Restocking unit is second

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Air Medical Operations

• Fixed wing - Interhospital transfer, for
  distances greater than 100 miles.
• Rotary wing - Shorter distances, more efficient
• Military - C-9, C-141, C- 130, H-60, H-53
• Safety - Good common sense and constant awareness

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Aeromedical Consideration

• FOD inspection - Inspect vehicle tires
• Flightline Hazards
• Propellers- stay away
• Jet Engines - no more than 25 feet in front
• 200 feet behind while in operations
• Ejection seats and canopies
• Approaching aircraft - stay in visual contact
  with pilot or Aircrew directing approach

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Aeromedical consideration

• Flightline driving
• Speed limit 15 MPH
• Around /near aircraft 5 MPH
• Crossing active -Never without clearance of
  tower

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Summary

• Phases of an Ambulance call
• Response Phase
• Safe vehicle operations
• Law and regulations
• Arrival Phase
• Air Medical Operations
• Aeromedical Considerations

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QUESTIONS???