Why was the national EMS Scope of Practice Model developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2006? (please list four reasons listed)
-To bring a higher degree of consistency to EMS throughout the U.S
-Improve patient care and safety
-Allow for easier reciprocity (communication/exchange/understanding of info and equipment) between states
-Decrease public confusion by identifying specific national levels of EMS practitioners
What are the four levels of EMS practitioners identified by the National Scope of Practice Model 2019?
-Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
-Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
-Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
-Paramedic
What is the role and responsibility of EMR’s?
They provide immediate lifesaving care to patients while they are waiting for higher levels of responders to arrive.
What are some of the functions and actions that can be performed by the EMR?
-basic airway
-ventilation
-oxygen therapy devices
-vital signs
-stabilization of the spine and suspected extremity injuries
-eye irrigation
-bleeding control
-emergency moves
-CPR
-automated external defibrillation
-emergency childbirth care
What is the role and responsibility of EMT’s?
They provide basic emergency medical care and transportation
What are some of the functions and actions that can be performed by the EMT?
Same functions that can be performed by the EMR but with basic equipment found on an ambulance and plus the other following actions:
-advanced oxygen therapy and ventilation equipment
-pulse oximetry
-use of automatic blood pressure monitoring equipment
-limited medication administration
What is the role and responsibility of AEMT’s?
They provide both basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation to patients
What are some of the functions and actions that can be performed by the AEMT?
Same functions that can be performed by the AEMT but plus the other following actions:
-use of advanced airway devices
-monitoring of blood glucose levels
-initiation of intravenous and instrosseous (in the bone marrow) infusions
-administration of a select number of medications
What are some of the functions and actions that can be performed by the paramedic?
Same functions that can be performed by the EMT and AEMT but they can perform more advanced assessment and patient management skills to provide the provision of the highest level of prehospital care such as:
-advanced assessments
-form a field impression
-provide invasive and drug interventions
-as well as transport
*Their care is designed to reduce disability and death of patients who access the EMS system
What is Quality improvement (QI), also known as Continuous quality improvement (CQI)?
It is a system of internal and external reviews and audits (inspection) of all aspects of an emergency medical system
What is the purpose of QI/CQI and how does it achieve this purpose?
To provide the public with the highest quality of pre-hospital care.
It identifies aspects of the system that can be improved and they begin to implement plans and programs that will remedy any shortcomings
*It is important to remember QI/CQI generally should not be used to penalize anyone but as an evaluation system geared toward overall system improvement
As an EMT, your role in QI/CQI is to:
-Document carefully
-Perform reviews and audits
-Obtain feedback
-Maintain equipment
-Participate in continuing education
-Maintain skills
Why is it important to document carefully for QI/CQI?
Pre-hospital care reports that you prepare are studied by QI/CQI communities to spot things such as excessive response times, which might be remedied by redeploying ambulances, OR/AND to identity seldom used skills for refresher training
Why is it important to perform reviews and audits (inspection) for QI/CQI?
If you volunteer for QI/CQI committee work or by critiquing the performance of other EMT’s at the scene of a call, you can learn and teach from and to other EMT’s
Why is it important to obtain feedback for QI/CQI?
Feedback and practice helps you improve your performance and care so make sure you gather feedback from patients, other EMS personnel, and hospital staff either
*You can gather this feedback formally or informally
Formally: through surveys to patients and hospital staff
Informally: directly asking and seeking advice about your performance after a call from physicians, nurses, or other medical personnel
Why is it important to maintain equipment for QI/CQI?
To ensure it is in proper working order. Make sure you conduct preventative maintenance
Why is it important to participate in continuing education for QI/CQI?
To reinforce, update, and expand your knowledge
Why is it important to maintain skills for QI/CQI?
To reach a level of mastery through continuous practice
To be effective as an EMT, you should have all of the following characteristics?
Hint: give descriptive details about each characteristics
*8 total characteristics
What are the five emotional stages that come with death outlined by psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross on her book On Death and dying?
Hint: give descriptive details about each stage
-Denial ( the patient may refuse that death is near to help with the shock and the need to deal with the injury/illness)
-Anger ( Anger may be directed towards you so be empathetic and do not be defensive)
-Bargaining ( the patient will make agreements that will postpone death for a short while)
-Depression ( Patient becomes distant and sad about unaccomplished tasks)
-Acceptance ( patients come to terms with their illness and injury, and the families often need more support than the patient)
*Note that losing your limbs can also make you go through the five stages of grief and you will not typically see a patient go through all five emotional stages of death during treatment. For example, an injured patient may display denial, bargaining or depression, and the terminally Ill patient may be more prepared and display acceptance
How can you help reduce an patient’s emotional burden?
*9 actions listed here
-Do everything possible to maintain the patient’s dignity ( avoid negative comments about the patient’s conditions)
-Show the greatest possible respect for the patient ( families will be sensitive to how the patient is treated; watch your attitude, body language, etc. Never give up on the patient and keep the family informed of the situation)
-Communicate ( explain to the patient and the family members of what has happened, what you’re gonna do, and procedures that follow. Only provide known facts, not false assumptions)
-Allow family members to express themselves (Allow family grieve as they wish; scream, cry, vent. Don’t take it personally if it is directed at you)
-Listen empathetically ( honor dying patients wishes and answer the questions of the family members)
-Do not give false assurances ( allow the patient to have hope. Tell them everything is being done and do not confirm that they are dying. The hopeless are the ones often who do the most poorly)
-Use a gentle tone of voice with the patient and family ( explain the situation in a kind tone and understanding vocabulary)
-Take appropriate steps if the family wants to touch or hold the body after death ( If protocol allows, let the family touch/hold the body. Do what you can to improve the appearance of the body. Do not clean or remove evidence such as vomits/blood/secretions or anything else on the patient if it is a crime scene. Permission must be granted by law enforcement to allow families to enter the crime scene and touch the patient.)
-Do what you can to comfort the family ( allow the family to see the patient even if they are unresponsive and encourage talking to the unresponsive patient as they may still be able to hear. Try to fulfill any requests such as going along in the ambulance or praying together with the family if possible.)
What are the three basic types of stress reactions?
-Acute stress reaction
-Delayed stress reaction
-Culmative stress reaction
Define an acute stress reaction?
It occurs from exposure to a high stress situation. The reaction can be found in the patient, bystanders, you, your partner, or other emergency service personnel. S/S typically occur immediately or shortly after the incident, and may involve cognitive, physical , behavioral or psychological functions.
Described a delayed stress reaction?
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a typical delayed stress reaction that occurs from exposure to a high stress situation. However the signs and symptoms are not evident immediately. It could be days, months or even years before the patient begins to experience the onset.
*Note that the patient may not understand why he may be experiencing PTSD because time has passed from the incident and it is more difficult to realize the connection and the trauma you carry from that event.