Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice Volume 1 Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Chapter 5 Illness and Injury Prevention

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Topics Epidemiology Prevention Within EMS Prevention in the Community

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Introduction Injury is one of our nation’s most important health problems. Injuries result from interaction with potential hazards in the environment, which means that they may be predictable and preventable.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Epidemiology

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Epidemiology Injury Facts –Injury is the 3rd leading cause of death. –Unintentional injuries result in 70,000 deaths annually. –The estimated lifetime cost of injuries will exceed $144 billion. –For every death caused by injury, there are an estimated 19 hospitalizations.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Epidemiology The study of the factors that influence the frequency, distribution, and cause of injury, disease, and other health-related events in a population.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Epidemiology Concepts related to epidemiology –Years of productive life Subtract age at death from 65 –Injury Intentional or unintentional damage to a person Forces may be thermal, mechanical, electrical, or chemical –Injury Risk Situation that puts people in danger of sustaining injury EMS should gather data as part of an injury surveillance program

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Epidemiology EMS providers can focus on primary prevention Keep injuries from ever happening Preventing further injuries from occurring through rehabilitation and medical care is secondary or tertiary prevention.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Prevention Within EMS

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Prevention Within EMS EMS personnel have become prime candidates to be advocates of injury prevention. Medical personnel are high-profile role models. EMS providers comprise a great arsenal in the war to prevent injury and disease.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Organizational Commitment Organizational commitment is vital to the development of any prevention activities. Resources and responsibilities include: –Protection of EMS providers –Education of EMS providers –Data collection –Financial support –Empowerment of EMS providers

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Protection of EMS Providers Assure that policies are in place to promote response, scene, and transport safety. Appropriate standard precautions available Commitment to overall wellness

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Education Providers must be committed to prevention activities. Public and private sector groups may call upon EMS for specific training. Specific safety training © Jonathan Alcorn/ZUMA/Corbis

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Data Collection Data determines trends and develops and measures the success of prevention programs. Incorporate data collection into patient documentation.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Financial Support Support for prevention strategies is a priority. Corporations are often willing to donate funds. Partnerships with local hospitals Organizations

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Empowerment Managers should identify, encourage, and foster employee interest, support, and involvement. Success in a prevention program lies in the hands of the frontline personnel.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ EMS Provider Commitment Illness and injury prevention should begin at home and be carried over into the workplace. Employers have an obligation to provide a safe environment. Guidelines and policies should be in place.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ EMS Provider Commitment Standard precautions Physical fitness Stress management Seeking professional care Driving safely Scene safety

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ EMS Provider Commitment Keep your safety equipment in good condition and readily available in your emergency vehicle.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Prevention in the Community

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Prevention in the Community EMS has a responsibility not only to prevent injury and illness among workers, but also to promote prevention among the public. EMS providers can be an appropriate and effective means of prevention in several situations.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Areas in Need of Prevention Infants and Children Motor vehicle collisions Geriatric patients Work and recreation hazards Medications Early discharge

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Infants and Children Prevention Strategies Prenatal care Injury prevention Motor vehicle accidents Self-destructive behavior, gang violence, and assaults

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Motor Vehicle Collisions Prevention Strategies The term motor-vehicle collision (MVC) more accurately reflects the fact that no collision is an accident. Alcohol use is a factor in about half of all motor-vehicle fatalities.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Geriatric Patients Prevention Strategies The elderly are at increased risk of injury from falls. The elderly are at greater risk for serious head injury as well as other injuries. Effects of dementia

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Work and Recreation Hazards Prevention Strategies Back injury prevention Never underestimate the dangers present in the workplace. Sports injuries are commonly seen in persons of all ages.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Medications Prevention Strategies Medications are occasionally taken improperly. Medications of any kind should be taken only by those for whom they are prescribed. Following the physician’s, the pharmacist’s, and the label directions is imperative.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Early Discharge Prevention Strategies Shorter hospital stays and early discharges from the hospital are occurring more frequently. Patients being at home sooner with illnesses that are less completely treated EMS called upon more frequently –Supportive care and intervention

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Implementation of Prevention Strategies Preserve the safety of the response team –Your first priority is your safety and the safety of your fellow crew members. Recognize scene hazards Document findings –Accurate data will be useful in developing prevention strategies.

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Implementation of Prevention Strategies Engage in on-scene education –Teachable moments Know your community resources –Identify and meet the psychosocial needs of your patient Conduct a community needs assessment

Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Volume 1: Introduction to Advanced Prehospital Care, 3rd Ed. © 2009 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Summary Epidemiology Prevention Within EMS Prevention in the Community