emergency medical response ems support and operations

Emergency Medical Response

EMS Support and Operations


You are an EMR approaching the scene of a two-car collision at a busy intersection. It is rush hour and traffic is heavy. One of the involved cars is situated on the median strip, and the other is off the road on the shoulder, just past the intersection. There are multiple occupants in each vehicle.

Lesson 42: EMS Support and Operations

You Are the Emergency Medical Responder


Roles of the EMRin the EMS System

Traditional EMR Functions within the 9-1-1 system

Affiliated with a servce: fire, ambulance, law enforcement, search and rescue

Non-traditional EMR Has same training as traditional EMR Works in less traditional settings

Athletic trainers Health and human performance


Nine Phases of EMS Response

1. Preparation for an emergency call2. Dispatch3. En-route to the scene4. Arrival at the scene and patient contact5. Transferring the patient to the ambulance6. En-route to the receiving facility7. Arrival at the receiving facility8. Clear medical facility9. Available for next emergency call


General Criteria for RequestingAir Medical Transport

Vehicle rollover with an unrestrained passenger(s) Motorcycle accident with driver thrown at a

speed >20 mph Multiple injured or ill people Pedestrian struck with vehicle travelling at >10

mph Fall from a height >15 feet Critical stroke and cardiac patients if ground

transport >45 minutes Critical trauma patient if ground transport >30

minutes


Air Medical TransportConsiderations

Types: Rotorcrafts: used for areas not

accessible to any other type of rescue craft

Fixed-wing crafts: used for transport over long distances

Considerations Weather Space and weights


Landing Zone Considerations (LZ)

A minimum area of 10,000 square feet (100 feet by 100 feet)

Flat, firm land An area clear of any obstacles, such as

trees or utility poles An area clear of any type of vehicular

traffic or pedestrians An area that is well lit that can easily be

seen by the pilot


Emergency Vehicle Safety

Vehicle preparedness Equipment preparedness – includes PPE Use of lights and sirens Responding with due regard

Obey traffic laws Weather and road conditions


High-Risk Situations

Intersections and highway access

Speeding Driving distractions Inclement weather Aggressive driver Unpaved roadways Responding

alone/first on the scene

Fatigue Downed electrical

lines Leaking fuel or

fluids Smoke or fires Broken glass Trapped or ejected

patients


ActivityYou are the first to arrive at the scene involving a tree that has fallen onto a house after a violent thunderstorm. The house is located in a rural section of the town. The wind is blowing hard and rain continues to fall, somewhat heavy at times. The tree has hit the second story of the house, damaging the roof and several windows. Tree branches, window shards and pieces of the roof litter the ground. The utility pole in front of the house is leaning toward the house. The family members, who were on the second floor when the tree hit, are outside sitting on the grass. They are dazed and have numerous cuts and lacerations that are oozing blood. Fire and utility crews have been notified but have yet to arrive.


Safety and Patient Care in the Ambulance

All personnel seated and secured Patient properly secured with all straps Keep three of the five essential body parts

(two hands, feet and backside) “hugging” the ambulance at all times during patient care

All moveable equipment secured


Jump Kit Oral airways Suction equipment Artificial ventilation

devices Basic wound supplies Other items, such as—

PPE and hand sanitizer Scissors, blood pressure cuff,

stethoscope and flashlight Maps, notepad and pen


You Are the Emergency Medical Responder

Additional fire rescue, police and EMS units arrive. You see that one of the occupants of the vehicle that is on the shoulder of the road apparently was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle and is not moving. The driver of the car on the median strip is conscious, but because of traffic you cannot get to that vehicle.


EnrichmentOperational Safety and Security

Begin each shift with an in-person briefing or review of written notes about any issues

Never leave an ambulance or rescue vehicle running or unattended with the key in the ignition

Monitor all vehicles, in and out of service Track all vehicle use

emergency medical response ems support and operations

Documents

clear medical facility

minutes slide

pilot slide

phases of ems response

ground transport

human performance slide

area clear

traditional emr works