Introduction to EMS Systems

1
Introduction to EMS Systems
Unit 1 Preparatory

• CHAPTER 1

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Introduction to EMS Systems

• The EMS System
• Components of the EMS System
• Activating the EMS System
• In-Hospital Care System
• Medical Oversight
• Roles and Responsibilities of the First Responder
• First Responder Skills
• Equipment, Tools, and Supplies

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The EMS System

• A network of resources to provide emergency care
  and transport to victims of sudden illness and
  injury.

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The Emergency Scene
5
Recognition of Accident and Activation of EMS
6
EMS Dispatch
7
Arrival of First Responders
8
Care Given at the Scene
9
Arrival of Additional EMS
10
Care During Transport
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Transfer to Hospital Emergency Department
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Components of the EMS System

• Human Resources
• Medical Oversight
• Communications
• Facilities
• Transportation
• Resource Management
• Regulation and Policy
• Public Education
• Evaluation

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Activating the EMS System

• Enhanced 9-1-1
• 9-1-1
• Non 9-1-1

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In-Hospital Care System

• Emergency Department
• Specialty Facilities
• Trauma Centers
• Burn Centers
• Pediatric Centers
• Hospital Personnel
• Physicians
• Nurses
• Allied Personnel

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Medical Oversight

• The First Responder may be a designated agent of
  the physician. Care rendered may be considered
  an extension of the medical directors authority.

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Medical Oversight

• A formal relationship between the EMS providers
  and the physician responsible for the prehospital
  emergency medical care provided in a community.

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Medical Direction Given by On-line Orders
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Medical Oversight

• Indirect Medical Control
• System Design
• Protocols
• Education
• Quality Management

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Levels of Training

• EMT-Paramedic
• EMT-Intermediate
• EMT-Basic
• First Responder

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Roles and Responsibilities

• Personal health and safety
• Neat, clean, and professional appearance
• Competency in knowledge and skills
• Caring attitude
• Maintain composure

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Patient-Related Duties

• Size up the scene.
• Find out what is wrong with the patient.
• Lift or move the patient only when it is
  necessary.
• Transfer the patient and patient information.
• Protect the patients privacy and maintain
  confidentiality.
• Be the patients advocate.

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Skills ((START HERE))

• As a First Responder, you should be able to
• Assess and control the scene of a simple
  incident.
• Gain access to patients.
• Evaluate a scene for safety.
• Properly use all items of personal safety.
• Gather information from patients and bystanders.
• Conduct a patient assessment.
• Relate signs and symptoms to illnesses and
  injuries.
• Determine vital signs.
• Document.
• Perform airway management.
• Perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
• Operate an Automatic External Defibrillator.
• Control bleeding.

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Skills

• As a First Responder, you should be able to
• Assess and care for shock.
• Assess and provide care for closed injuries and
  open injuries.
• Carry out basic dressing and bandaging
  techniques.
• Assess and care for painful, swollen, deformed
  extremities.
• Assess and care for possible injuries of the
  head, neck, and spine.
• Assess and care for cardiac and medical
  emergencies.
• Identify and care for poisoning cases.
• Classify and provide care for burns.
• Identify and care for smoke inhalation.

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Skills

• As a First Responder, you should be able to
• Assess and care for environmental emergencies.
• Assist a mother in delivering her baby.
• Provide initial care for the newborn.
• Identify and care for drug-abuse and
  alcohol-abuse patients.
• Perform non-emergency and emergency patient moves
  when required.
• Perform triage at a multiple-patient emergency
  scene.
• Work under the direction of an Incident
  Commander.
• Work under the direction of EMTs.

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Skills

• In some systems that have very special needs,
  First Responders may be required to
• Determine blood pressure.
• Use a bag-valve-mask resuscitator (ventilator).
• Deliver oxygen using appropriate devices.
• Apply or assist in applying a traction splint.
• Apply or assist in applying an extrication
  collar.
• Assist in securing a patient to a long spine
  board (backboard) or other device used to
  immobilize the patients spine.

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Equipment, Tools, and Supplies

• First Responders should know how to use, and have
  available whenever possible
• Appropriate barriers (masks and gloves)
• Triangular bandages
• Roller-type bandages
• Gauze pads and trauma dressings
• Occlusive dressings (for airtight seals)

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Equipment, Tools, and Supplies

• First Responders should know how to use, and have
  available whenever possible
• Adhesive tape
• Bandage shears
• Eye protector (paper cup or cone)
• Stick (for tourniquet)
• Blanket and pillow
• Upper and lower extremity splint sets

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Equipment, Tools, and Supplies

• Optional items First Responders may use
• Blood pressure cuff and a stethoscope
• Oxygen delivery systems
• Suctioning equipment
• The First Responder should be comfortable with
  the use of common hand and power tools.

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Summary

• The EMS System
• Components of the EMS System
• Activating the EMS System
• In-Hospital Care System
• Medical Oversight
• Roles and Responsibilities of the First Responder
• First Responder Skills
• Equipment, Tools, and Supplies