Chapter 1-3

emergency

a situation requiring immediate action

lay responder

a layperson (someone who does not have special or advanced medical training skill) who recognizes an emergency and decides to act

Emergency medical services (EMS) system

a network of community resources and medical personnel that provides emergency care to people who are injured or sudden illness

emergency medical technician (EMT)

a person who has successfully completed a state approved ___ training program. ___ take over care for the less trained responder at the emergency scene, and work on stabilizing and preparing the patient for transport; formerly referred to as ___-Basic

paramedic

a person with more in depth training than an AEMT plus have more knowledge about more invasive procedures than any other prehospital care provider; formerly referred to as EMT-_____

sudden illness

a physical condition, such as a heart attack and a severe allergic reaction, requiring immediate medical attention

4 limitations that should be considered before attempting to move a person in an emergency care

(1) Any dangerous conditions at the scene. (2) The size of the person. (3) The distance the person must be moved. (4) The person's condition.

7 guidelines to follow when moving a person in an emergency

(1) Use your legs, not your back, when you bend (2) Bend at the knees and hips, avoid twisting your body. (3) Maintain a firm grip on the person (4) Walk forward when possible, taking small steps and looking where you are going to maintain a firm footing. (5) Use good posture (6) Do not move a person who is too large to move comfortably. (7) Avoid twisting or bending anyone with a possible head, neck or spinal injury.

6 common types of emergency moves

(1) Walking assist (2) Two person seat carry (3) Pack-strap carry (4) Clothes drag (5) Blanket drag (6) Ankle drag

disease transmission from a person to a responder requires 4 conditions

(1) a pathogen is present (2) there is sufficient quantity of the pathogen present to cause disease (3) the pathogen passes through the correct entry site (eyes, mouth, and other mucous membranes or skin pierced or broken by cuts, abrasions, bites, and sharp objects) (4) a person is susceptible to the pathogen

2 types of emergencies that require first aid

(1) injury (2) sudden illness (usually referred to as simply as illness)

lay responder/bystander primary role in an emergency

- recognizing that an emergency exists - deciding to act - activating the EMS system by calling 911 or the local emergency number - giving care until medical help arrives and takes over - meeting and directing the ambulance to the scene - keep area free from onlookers and traffic

5 common barriers to taking action of an emergency

1) Panic or fear of doing something wrong 2) being unsure of the person's condition and what to do 3) assuming someone else will take action 4) Type of injury or illness 5) fear of being sued

emergency action steps

3 steps you should take in any emergency: Check, call, care

3 situations which is necessary to move a person

6. (1) When you are faced with immediate danger, such as fire, lack of oxygen, risk of explosion or a collapsing structure. (2) When you have to get to another person who may have a more serious problem. (3) When it is necessary to give proper care. For example, if someone needs CPR.

Emergency medical responder (EMR)

A person trained in emergency care who may be called on to give such care as a routine part of his or her job until more advanced medical personnel take over. ___ can be paid or volunteer and often are the first trained professionals to respond to emergencies; formerly called "first responder"

Advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT)

A person trained in emergency care, with additional training to allow insertion of Ivs, administration of medications, performance of advanced airway procedures, and setting up and assessing of electrocardiograms "ECGs or EKGs"; formerly referred to as EMT-Intermediate

emergency medical dispatcher (EMD)

A telecommunicator who has received special trainign to respond to a request for medical services via 911 or a local emergency number and to allocate appropriate resources to the scene of an emergency. Some _____ are trained to provide pre-arrival medical instructions to a responder before more advanced personnel arrive

overcome barriers to act

Always dial 911 or local emergency number and follow instructions from the emergency medical dispatcher. - the vast majority of states and the District of Columbia have [Good Samaritan Laws] that protect people who willingly give first aid without accepting anything in return.

non-life threatening emergency

a situation that does not have an immediate impact on a person's ability to circulate oxygenated blood but still requires medical attention

life threatening emergency

an illness or injury that impairs a person's ability to circulate oxygenated blood to all the parts of his or her body

certification

credentialing at the local level; usually entails completing a probationary period and updating and/or recertification to cover changing knowledge and skills

injury

damage that occurs when the body is subjected to an external force, such as a blow, a fall, a collision, an electrical current or teperature extremes

pre-hospital care

emergency medical care provided before a person arrives at a hospital or medical facility

abandonment

ending the care of an injured or ill person without obtaining that person's consent or without ensuring that someone with equal or greater training will continue care

first aid

immediate care given to a person with an injury or sudden illness until more advanced care can be obstained

good samaritan laws

laws that protect people who willingly give first aid without accepting anything in return

implied consent

legal concept that assumes a person would consent to receive emergency care if he or she were physically able or old enough to do so

direct contact transmission

mode of transmission of pathogens that occurs through directly touching infected blood or body fluid, or other agents such as chemicals, drugs or toxins

indirect contact transmission

mode of transmission of pathogens that occurs when a person touches objects that have the blood or body fluid of an infected person, and that infected blood or body fluid enters the body through a correct entry site - example bystander picks up a gauze with blood on it and is not wearing gloves

expressed consent

permission to receive emergency care granted by a competent adult either verbally or nonverbally; also referred to as consent

Barriers to act

reasons for not acting or hesitating to act in an emergency situation

standard precautions

safety measures taken to prevent exposure to blood and body fluids when giving care to injured or ill persons; assumes that all body fluids, secretions and excretions (except sweat) are potentially infective

refusal of care

the declining of care by a competent person; a person has the right to refuse the care of anyone who responds to an emergency scene

personal protective equipment

the equipment and supplies that help prevent the responder from directly contacting infected materials; includes gloves, gowns, masks, shields and protective eyewear

competence

the injured or ill person's ability to understand the responder's questions and the implications of the decisions made

disease transmission

the passage of a disease from one person to another

Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel

trained and equipped community-based personnel who provide emergency care of injured or ill persons and who are often dispatched through 911 or the local emergency number

safety measures you can use to prevent disease transmission include

using PPE such as disposable gloves

To obtain a person's consent to give care, you must tel the person

your level of training