Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Operations

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Outline Phases of a Response Air Medical Transport Extrication Hazardous Materials Mass Casualty Incidents

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Operations Knowledge Basic understanding of the operations of an EMS system will help the EMS provider in his or her interactions with other personnel in the system Understanding the local EMS system helps establish knowledge of the resources available and the best way to access them

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Phases of an EMS Response Preparation Dispatch En route Arrival Transport After the call

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Preparation Anticipate receiving a call at anytime while on duty or on call Equipment and supplies must be available and in good repair Personnel must be ready to respond in a safe manner

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Dispatch Begins when someone activates the EMS system Must have the following features –Central access (9-1-1) –24-hour availability –Trained personnel –Systematic information collection from the caller

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Dispatch Information Nature of the call Name, location, and callback number of the caller Location of the patient Number of patients and how serious the situation Other special circumstances (e.g., is an assailant still on the scene, is there a hazardous material involved, etc.)

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. En Route Acknowledge the call and that you are en route Exercise due regard for safety when driving an emergency vehicle

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Upon Arrival Notify dispatch Perform a scene size-up Manage the scene Treat the patient

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Transport First Responders are not generally involved in transport, but must transfer patient care –Give hand-off report –Assist transporting crew as requested –Assist with preparing the patient for transport –Assistthe crew en route to the hospital if required

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. After the Call Prepare for the next call –Clean and disinfect equipment –Restock disposable supplies –Refuel the vehicle –Complete any paperwork or electronic logging of information –Notify dispatch of readiness for next call

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Air Medical Transport Be aware of local criteria for requesting air medical transport Know the flight service protocols for selection of a landing zone

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Figure 48-5 Rotary-Wing Aircraft Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Figure 48-5 Interior Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Do not approach the aircraft unless you have been cleared to do so by the pilot Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Figure 48-7 Safe Approach Zones

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Extrication The process of removing an entrapped patient There is a balance between the need for immediate patient interventions and the need to remove the patient

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Safety First The safety is a primary responsibility Special protective gear is usually needed –Protection from broken glass, jagged metal –Protection from heat loss

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Extrication Simple –Try opening each of the vehicle doors –Check to see if the doors are locked Complex –Special extrication tools will be needed –Never attempt to use rescue tools without specific training in extrication techniques

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Care During Extrication Provide necessary care to the patient prior to extrication and to ensure that extrication proceeds in a manner to minimize further injury

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Extrication Once the patient is disentangled, the First Responder will work under the direction of EMTs or paramedics on the scene to remove the patient from the vehicle while protecting the cervical spine Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Hazardous Materials Transportation industry incidents Industrial and manufacturing settings Farming industry Illegal drug manufacturing labs

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. HAZMAT Identification Placards Shipment papers Visual evidence Signs and symptoms

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Look for labels

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. HAZMAT Safety Maintain a distance –Do not enter the scene Park up-hill/up-wind, at a safe distance Isolate the area Avoid contact with the material Use the Emergency Response Guidebook Notify local hazardous materials team

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. DOT Emergency Response Guidebook Should be in every emergency vehicle

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Mass Casualty Incidents An event involving more patients than resources Requires triage

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Triage There are different triage schemes in existence One is a 3 level system sorting patients into highest, second, and lowest priority

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Triage Highest priority –Problems with airway or breathing –Uncontrolled or severe bleeding –Decreased level of consciousness Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Triage Second priority –Burns without airway problems –Major or multiple extremity injuries –Spinal injuries without airway or breathing problems Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Triage Lowest priority –Minor extremity injuries –Minor soft tissue injuries –Cardiac arrest –Dead or with obvious mortal wounds Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc.

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Triage Officer The most knowledgeable EMS provider on the scene is the triage officer –Confirms the incident to dispatch, establishes a command post, and requests additional resources –Performs an initial assessment on each patient without performing treatment and starts a triage tag for each

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Triage Officer The triage officer assigns available personnel and equipment to priority patients and remains at the scene to coordinate personnel, supplies and vehicles

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Summary The First Responder is usually not responsible for special rescue and operations, but must have a fundamental understanding of the procedures of such operations Understanding these fundamentals will help the First Responder in carrying out the priorities of safety and patient care, and in interacting with other personnel and resources in the system

Mosby items and derived items © 2007, 2004 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Questions?