CH 1: Professional Responder

Question 1

Components of emergency response (and where AT’s fall)

Answer 1

1) Patient (Injury/Illness)
2) Public Response
3) EMS Activation - Relevant to AT’s
4) Responder Care - Relevant to AT’s
5) Advanced Pre-hospital care
6) Hospital Care
7) Rehabilitation

Question 2

Are first responders considered to be in the EMR level response?

Answer 2

Usually, yes. However, first responders do not normally transport patients.

Question 3

Traditional v Non-traditional Professional Responders

Answer 3

Traditional:
Emergency Medical Responder
Primary Care Paramedic
Advanced Care Paramedic
Critical Care Paramedic
*All are recognized by the Paramedics Association of Canada with relevant NOCP (National Occupational Competency Profiles)

Non-Traditional:
Athletic Therapists
Ski Patrol
Lifeguards
Industrial Rescue
Workplace first aid attendants

Question 4

What are the 7 major responsibilities of a Professional First Responder?

Answer 4

1) Ensure your own safety
2) Ensure the safety for any bystanders
3) Gain access to the patient
4) Determine any threats to the patients life
5) Request more advanced care as needed
6) Provide necessary care for the patient
7) Assist more advanced medical personnel

Question 5

What are the 4 factors that determine Principle v Preference?

Answer 5

1) Situation
2) Patient Condition
3) Responder knowledge & training
4) Available equipment

Question 6

What is the Golden Hour?

Answer 6

Patients who receive definitive care within 1 hour have a much higher rate of survivial.

Question 7

What are the main differences between CIS and PTSD?

Answer 7

CIS:
- Acute
- S/S usually appear after the event
- S/S may not last long

PTSD:
- Chronic
- S/S usually appear within 3 months but can remain dormant for years
- S/S are much longer lasting

Question 8

What is negligence and what are the 4 factors that add to it?

Answer 8

Failure to follow a reasonable standard of care resulting in injury or death.

1) Duty to Act: A legal obligation to assist someone in need when they cannot care for themselves.
2) Breach of Duty: Omission (omitted or failed to do something) Misfeasance (right thing done poorly or wrong) Malfeasance (Wrong thing was done)
3) Damage: Injury must have occurred
4) Proximate Cause: Direct link between 1 & 2

Question 9

Age categories for Children

Answer 9

Neonates: Day of birth - 28 days
Infant: 29 days to 1 year
Child: 1 year to 8 years
Adults: 8 years +

Question 10

What should be done if someone refuses care?

Answer 10

• Honour the request but don’t abandon them
• Emphasize the need for care
• Call EMS or police
• Have the refusal witnessed
• Follow local protocol for refusal of care
• Document the refusal of care

Question 11

What are the only reasons a responder should leave a patient/end care?

Answer 11

1) The responders life is threatened/environment becomes dangerous
2) A person with equal or more training is able to take over care

If care is ended and one of these requirements are not met, the responder can be charged with abandonment.

Question 12

What is to be reported during transfer of care?

Answer 12

• Patient demographics
• C/C
• Brief history of what happened
• Relevant patient history (Meds, allergies etc)
• Treatment provided
• Changes in patient condition as a result of treatment
• Current vitals and changes in vitals

Question 13

Why do we document emergency situations?

Answer 13

Medical: So nothing is missed during care
Legal: Lawsuit defense/court evidence in the case of a crime
Administrative: Transfer info to other health care practitioners
Research: To improve the EMS system and protocols

*Documents must be kept for 16 years post treatment. If they are under the age of 18, they must be kept for 16 years after they turn 18. BC Law as of Sept 2023.