Introduction to Emergency Medical Services

-Network of resources that provides emergency care and transport to victims of sudden illness and injury

ROLES
-Safety (safely gain access to the patient)

-Gaining access to the patient

-Assessment and initial care
(until relieved by someone with equal or greater credentials)

-Continuation of care

-Record keeping

-Liaison
(between your department and people that work in more advanced EMS)

RESPONSIBILITIES
-Personal health and safety

-Caring attitude

-Maintain composure

-Neat, clean, professional appearance

-Up to date knowledge and skills

-Put patient's needs as a priority

>Care given at scene

-Arrival of additional EMS means you are the liaison and give them a basic report of your findings.

-Care during transport

-Transfer to hospital emergency department

In-Hospital Care System

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

SPECIALTY FACILITIES
-Trauma centers
-burn centers pediatric centers

HOSPITAL PERSONNEL
-Physicians
-Nurses
-Allied personnel

MEDICAL OVERSIGHT

Indirect Medical Oversight
-System Design
-Protocols
-

SCOPE OF CARE
-Legal duties to the patient, medical director, and the Public (duty to act).
>National standard curriculum
-State law
-Protocols
-Standing orders

-Ethical Responsibilities
>Meet the patient needs
-mastery of skills
-performance reviews
-Honesty in reporting
-continuing education
-refresher programs

STANDARD OF CARE
-Defined by laws, administrative orders, and guidelines -Maintain consistency in training -Provide a scope of practice and guidelines for care

Provide care based on yout training experience to avoid negligence

COMPETENCE
The ability to understand the questions of the First Responder and the implications of decisions made

-In order to receive consent or refusal of care, the First Responder should determine competence

> May not be possible in certain circumstances
-Intoxication
-Drug Ingestion
-Serious Injury
-Mental Incompetence

Consent

-A competent patient has the right to make decisions regarding care. Can refuse treatment for any reason.

-Patient must consent to emergency medical care.

Implied Consent
-Based on the assumption that the unresponsive patient or a minor's parents would consent to life saving interventions

DNR
-Patient has the right to refuse resuscitative efforts

-Requires written order from physician

-When in doubt or when written orders are not present, the first responder should begin resuscitative