Chapter One You and the Emergency Medical Service System

Objectives 1. Identify the 6 parts of the EMS system. 2. Describe the function of each part of the EMS system. 3. List 5 common barriers to action that may prevent people from responding. 4. Define the 4 conditions that have to be present for a disease to be transmitted in a first aid situation. 5. List six guidelines for preventing disease transmission. 6. Identify 5 ways bystanders can help at the scene of an emergency. 7. List the four things you must tell a victim before gaining consent to give care. 8. Describe the three times consent is implied.

The EMS System  Network of community resources and medical personnel that provides emergency care to victims of injury or sudden illness

The EMS System is made up of -  Citizen Responder  EMS Dispatcher  First Responder  Emergency Medical Technician  Hospital Care Providers  Rehabilitation

The Citizen Responder  Someone who recognizes an emergency and decides to help  First aid – is immediate care given to a victim of injury or sudden illness until more advanced care can come  In other words – this is you doing what you have learned

The EMS Dispatcher  The dispatcher is the person who receives the call from the citizen responder  This person determines what help is needed  Some are trained to give the caller instructions until EMS comes  In other words, the person who answers when you call 9-1-1

First Responder  This is the first person to arrive on the scene who is trained to provide a higher level of care  They are often close to the scene and have the appropriate equipment and supplies to give care

The Emergency Medical Technician  The EMT is capable of providing more advanced care and life support techniques  EMT Basic Level – all ambulance personnel have this basic training  EMT Paramedics – at this level they can give medication, IV fluids, and provide advanced airway care. They are the highest level of care outside of the hospital

Hospital & Rehabilitation  Hospital – once the victim arrives at the hospital, the personnel there takes over  Rehabilitation – the goal of rehab is to return the victim to his/her previous state of health

Your Role in the EMS System  Recognize that an emergency exists  Decide to act  Activate the EMS system  Give care until help arrives

Recognizing an Emergency  Unusual Noises  Unusual Sights  Unusual Odors  Unusual Appearance and Behavior

Barriers to Action  Presence of other people  Being unsure of the person’s condition  The type of injury or illness  Fear of catching a disease  Fear of doing something wrong  Fear of being sued  Being unsure of when to call 9-1-1

Disease Transmission  In order to get a disease the following conditions must be present – The victim must be infected with a disease The rescuer must be exposed to the infected victim’s body substance The rescuer must come in contact with the substance through an entry site There must be a sufficient amount of the infected body substance to cause infection

In other words…  Pathogen  Quantity  Susceptibility  Entry Site

Preventing Disease Transmission  Avoid contact  Disposable gloves  Breathing barriers  Cover infected area  Wash your hands  Tell EMS or doctor if you have come in direct contact with a person’s body fluids

The Good Samaritan Law  All 50 states have enacted Good Samaritan Laws  This gives legal protection to people who willingly provide care to ill or injured person  The laws protect citizens who act the same way that a “reasonable and prudent person” would if that person were in the same situation

Activate the EMS System  Know local emergency numbers  Remember some buildings require you to dial 9 (or some other number) to get an outside line  What the operator needs to know The emergency – info about the person Your name and number Location Do not hang up until the operator tells you to

Give Care Until Help Arrives  If you are trained in first aid, you can give help that can save a life in the first few minutes  Get bystanders to help by – Calling Clearing the scene Directing EMS personnel when they arrive Helping provide care Providing information about the victim Comforting and reassuring victims

Getting Permission to Give Care  Also known as consent  You must – Tell the person who you are How much training you have What you think is wrong What you plan to do  Then the person may decide whether they want care  If the victim is an infant or a child, get permission from the parent

If the person refuses care…  Do not help someone who refuses care  Get it in writing that the person refused care You sign Victim signs Witness signs

Implied Consent  If the victim is an infant or child and you can not find the parent  Unable to respond because of the illness or injury  If the adult is unconscious