Chapter 1 Introduction to Emergency Medical Services

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 3 I. What is EMS? The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a coordinated network of professionals whose function is to provide a variety of medical services to people in need in of emergency care.

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 4  The American Red Cross 1.The first agency to take aid to the public 2.Taught CPR and first aid to lay persons in the late 1950s and 60s  The Father of EMS 1.Dr. Joseph D. (“Deke”) Farrington 2.Realized training was needed in the streets 3.Began training the Chicago Fire Department in street medicine II. The History of Emergency Medical Services

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 5  National Highway Safety Act (1966) 1.Encouraged states to begin organized EMS programs 2.Organization of the National Highway Safety Administration  Emergency Medical Services Act (1973) 1.Identified the components of an EMS system II. The History of Emergency Medical Services

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 6  Star of Life 1.National EMS Symbol 2.Each of six points represents: 3.Central staff with serpent represents medicine and healing. II. The History of Emergency Medical Services ufort.sc.us/EMS/i mages/sol_history.jpg

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 7 III. Voices for EMS Providers  National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) 1.Supports EMS activities in both the private and public sectors B.The National Registry of EMTs 1.An advocate for standardization in EMS education

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 8 IV. Components of an EMS System  Personnel  Training  Communications  Transportation  Emergency facilities  Critical care units  Public safety agencies  Consumer participation  Access to care  Patient transfer  Standardization of record keeping  Public information and education  System review and evaluation  Disaster management  Mutual aid agreements

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 9 V. Modern EMS

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 10 Stop and Review  Name a historical group that shaped the field of EMS.  Name a key legislative act and its impact on the field of EMS.  List the symbolism of the Star of Life (DR ROCT!).  Name two professional groups that represent the interests of EMS.  List the steps in the Cardiac Chain of Survival.

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 11 VI. Introduction to EMS Systems  Universal Access to EMS   Basic  Enhanced: includes GPS for cell phones  Non B.Emergency Medical Dispatch 1.EMD course 2.Provide audio instruction on care until EMS arrives

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 12 VI. Introduction to EMS Systems  Levels of Training  First Responder  EMT-B  EMT-I  EMT-P

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 13 VII. Levels of Training A.First Responders  First person on the scene  Skills a.Basic assessment b.Simple airway c.management d.Oxygen administration e.Bleeding control f.Rescuer CPR g.Defibrillation

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 14 VII. Levels of Training B. Emergency Medical Technician–Basic  Most common  Completed primary pre- hospital training a.Airway maintenance b.Oxygen administration c.Bleeding control d.CPR e.Defibrillation f.Patient assessment g.Limited medication administration **

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 15 VII. Levels of Training C. Emergency Medical Technician–Intermediate 1. 2 nd level of pre-hospital training beyond EMT-B a.Advanced airway management (intubation)* b.Cardiac arrest management (ECG interpretation)* c.Intravenous therapy (start IVs)* d.Higher level patient assessment e.Drug administration* f.Advanced trauma care*

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 16 VII. Levels of Training D. Emergency Medical Technician–Paramedic 1. Highest training level a.Comprehensive patient assessment** b.Advanced airway management c.Intravenous access d.Expanded medication administration** e.Cardiac arrest management and pacing

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 17 Life in EMS YouTube: NBC’s “TRAUMA” video promo