Ambulance operations Flashcards
The role of command and control centre
to receive, process, prioritise and dispatch emergency calls
This is done by
emergency service call takers/dispatchers with the aid of an advanced medical priority dispatch system (AMPDS)
The call takers and dispatchers are trained to
obtain information from the caller in an effective and systematic manner
To effectively process and prioritise an emergency call
the call taker will need to obtain important information
The important information the call taker must obtain includes
-Exact location of the incident
-Phone number of caller (or person on scene of 3rd/4th party caller)
-Nature of incident including related injuries (ensures call can be prioritised effectively)
-Number of casualties (for number of resources needed)
-Any hazards present for arriving crews
Once the information has been obtained and processed
the call will be assigned a descriptor c ode based on the priority status of the patients injury or illness
These descriptors have a letter attached which
outlines the priority status of the call. The letters listed from least priority to highest are Omega, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo
The letter system will
aid the dispatcher in selecting the appropriate resource for the call
Low priority to high priority
Omega
Alpha
Beta
Charlie
Delta
Echo
Pre arrival instructions
the dispatcher must give all relevant information to the arriving crew
This information will allow the arriving crew to
start their dynamic assessment of the scene and patient prior to arrival
This information includes
-Patient location (must be as accurate as possible)
-Age, sex and current life status (Conscious, breathing?)
-Details of any injuries
-Any suspected hazards and additional resources (Gardai, Fire, etc)
Phases of an emergency call
-Responding to an incident
-Arrival at scene
-Transfer patient to ambulance
-Transport patient to hospital
-Delivery of patient to the receiving hospital
-Post-incident phase
Response phase
-Inform dispatch that your unit is responding and confirm the nature and location of the call
-Drive with due care and diligence whilst responding and never endanger other road users
-Use this as an opportunity to mentally prepare for treating the patient (differential diagnosis)
-Assign roles and determine equipment to bring to the scene
Arrival at scene
-Inform control of your arrival and carry out a dynamic risk assessment
-Evaluate the need for additional resources (Eg road traffic collision) (Need Gardai, Fire etc?)
-Determine the mechanism f injury and act accordingly (Spinal?)
-Ensure the use of adequate PPE based on nature of incident
Transfer patient to ambulance
-Treat
-Package
-Move to the ambulance using proper patient and manual handling techniques (not about speed, use safe techniques)
-Secure the patient on the stretcher using a minimum of 3 cross-body straps (across patients chest, across patients waist, somewhere between waist and knee level down towards feet)
Transport patient to hospital
-inform control of leaving scene and pre-alert receiving hospital of required
-continue to treat and monitor patient en route where required
-record all relevant information (PCR)
-Provide reassurance to patient
Delivery of the patient to the receiving hospital
-inform triage nurse or receiving staff of your arrival (If not a pre-alert)
-Transfer the patient from your stretcher to designated hospital bed
-Provide receiving staff with a verbal handover of patient (IMIST)
-Complete written report (PCR) and leave a copy with the receiving staff
Post-incident phase
-Carry out any immediate decontamination of the ambulance at hospital or upon returning to station
-Dispose of any healthcare waste (PPE etc)
-Restock ambulance with an necessary supplies
-Ensure the ambulance is adequate;y fuelled
Requesting a Garda escort (requesting a member of gardai to accompany you in the back of the ambulance)
-Potentially violent or aggressive patients
-Minors who require transportation but do not have a parent or guardian with them
-Inform control room of requirements for Garda escort
