Chapter 37 Flashcards
Components of the modern ambulance: Driver’s compartment Patient compartment big enough for two EMTs and … patients Equipment and supplies Two-way radio communication Design for maximum safety and comfort
two supine
Ambulance licensing or certification standards are established by the ….
The Star of Life® emblem is affixed to the sides, rear, and roof of the ambulance.
state
Store equipment and supplies according to how … and how … they are used.
Cabinets and drawer fronts should be … or …
Should open easily and close securely
urgently; often; transparent; labeled
Safety and operations equipment Personal safety equipment Equipment for ... Preplanning and navigation equipment ... equipment
work areas; extrication
Dispatch must be easy to access and in service 24 hours a day.
Dispatcher should gather and record:
…of the call
…, present …, and … number
…of patient
…of patients and …of their conditions
Other pertinent information
nature;
name; location; call-back
location
number; severity
Mass-casualty incidents
Estimate and communicate the… to the incident commander.
Safe parking
Allow for efficient traffic flow and control around an emergency scene.
Park … before or past the crash scene.
Do not park alongside a crash scene.
number of patients;
100 feet
Safe parking (cont’d)
Park ….and/…upwind of smoke or hazardous materials.
Leave … or devices on.
Facilitate emergency medical care and rapid transport from the scene.
If it is necessary to block traffic, work quickly and safely.
Traffic control
Provide care and ensure scene safety first.
Traffic control is intended to ensure orderly traffic flow, warn other drivers, and prevent another crash.
Place warning devices on both sides of the crash.
uphill; upwind; warning lights;
When you are ready to leave with the patient, inform dispatch of:
… of patients
Name of …
Beginning …of ambulance
number
receiving hospital
mileage
delivery phase:
Notify dispatch of your arrival at the hospital.
Report your arrival to the … or other arrival personnel.
Physically transfer the patient.
Present a complete …
Complete a detailed patient care report.
Restock items, if possible.
triage nurse; verbal report
en route to the station:
Inform dispatch whether you are in … and where you are going.
Back at the station:
Clean and disinfect the ambulance and equipment.
Restock supplies.
service
postrun phase: Complete and file additional written reports. Inform dispatch again of your ..., ..., and ... Perform routine inspections. Refuel the vehicle. Key terms: Cleaning Disinfection High-level disinfection Sterilization
status; location; availability
postrun phase:
After each call:
Strip …from the stretcher.
Discard medical waste.
Wash contaminated areas with … and ….
Disinfect all nondisposable equipment used for patient care.
Clean the stretcher, as well as any spillage or other contamination, with a …/…solution.
Create a schedule for routine full cleaning of the emergency vehicle.
Create a written policy/procedure for cleaning each piece of equipment.
linens
soap; water
germicidal/virucidal
Safe driving practices
Speed does not save lives; good care does.
Wear seat belts and shoulder restraints.
Become familiar with how the vehicle accelerates, corners, sways, and stops.
Stay in the … lane on multilane highways.
extreme left-hand
Siren risk–benefit analysis The decision to activate the emergency lighting and sirens will depend on: Local ... Patient ... Anticipated … of the patient
protocols
condition
clinical outcome
Cushion of safety
Maintain a safe following distance from the vehicles in front of you.
Try to avoid being … from behind.
Ensure that the blind spots do not prevent you from seeing vehicles or pedestrians.
Never get out of the ambulance to confront a driver.
Be aware of …and scan mirrors frequently.
tailgated; blind spots
….: Causes drivers to drive faster in the presence of sirens, due to increased anxiety
Vehicle size and distance judgment:
Crashes often occur when the vehicle is …, so use a spotter.
Size and weight influence braking and stopping distances.
Siren syndrome; backing up
Road positioning and cornering
To keep the ambulance in the proper lane when turning, enter … in the lane, and exit …
high; low
If you are on an emergency call and are using your warning lights and siren, you may be allowed to do the following: Park or stand in an ... Proceed through a ... or ... Drive faster than the speed limit Drive ...the flow of traffic Travel left of center to make an ...
illegal location; red light; stop sign; against; illegal pass
An emergency vehicle is never allowed to pass a … that has stopped to load or unload children.
Use of warning lights and siren
Unit must be on a true emergency call
Both audible and visual warning devices must be used simultaneously
Unit must be operated with regard for others’ safety
school bus
Use of …: Use as a guide only when you are in unfamiliar territory
Intersection hazards:
Intersection crashes are the most common and most serious.
If you cannot wait for traffic lights to change, still come to a brief stop and look for pedestrians or other hazards.
escorts;
Highways
Shut down emergency lights and sirens until you have reached the … lane.
Unpaved roads
Operate at a lower speed with a firm grip on the steering wheel.
School zones
It is unlawful to …
far left; exceed the speed limit.
Air ambulances are used to evacuate medical and trauma patients.
…-wing units
…-wing units (helicopters)
Fixed; rotary
Specially trained crews accompany air ambulance flights.
EMTs provide ground support.
… is performed by helicopters.
Capabilities, protocols, and procedures vary.
Medical evacuation (medivac)
Why call for a medivac?
Transport time by ground is …
Road, traffic, or environmental conditions prohibit the use of ground transport.
The patient requires …
Multiple patients will … at the hospital reachable by ground transport.
too long; advanced care; overwhelm resources
Who receives a medivac?
Patients with …injuries or illnesses
Patients with stroke, heart attack, or spinal cord injury
SCUBA diving accidents, near-drownings, or skiing and wilderness accidents
Trauma patients
Candidates for …, ….center, …, or … center
Generally, the dispatcher should be notified first.
In some regions, EMS may be able to communicate with the flight crew after initiating the medivac request.
time-dependent
limb replantation; burn; hyperbaric chamber; venomous bite
air med operations: Establish a ... zone. Hard or grassy level surface ... feet (recommended) Cleared of loose debris Clear of overhead or tall hazards Mark the landing site using ... or .... Never use caution tape or people to mark the site. Do not use flares.
landing; 100 × 100; cones; vehicles
Establish a landing zone. (cont’d)
Move nonessential persons and vehicles.
Communicate the direction of … to the flight crew.
Landing zone safety and patient transfer
Keep a safe distance from the aircraft whenever it is on the ground and “hot.”
Stay away from the ….
Always approach the helicopter from the …
strong wind; tail rotor; front
Keep the following guidelines in mind:
Become familiar with hand signals.
Do not approach the helicopter unless instructed and accompanied by flight crew.
Make certain that all equipment and the patient are secured to the stretcher.
Smoking, open lights or flames, and flares are prohibited within … feet.
Wear …protection.
50; eye
Night landings
Do not shine spotlights, flashlights, or any other lights in the air to help the pilot.
Direct… or … toward the ground.
Illuminate overhead hazards or obstructions, if possible.
low-intensity headlights; lanterns
Landing on uneven ground
The main rotor blade will be closer to the ground on the … side.
Approach from the …side only.
uphill; downhill
Medivacs at hazardous materials incidents
Notify the flight crew.
Consult about the best approach and distance from the scene.
The landing zone should be …and …
…patients before loading them into the helicopter.
uphill; upwind; decontaminate
medivac:
Assess the severity of the …or …/terrain.
Most helicopters are limited to flying at 10,000 feet above sea level and 130–150 mph.
Because of the cabin’s confined space, assess the number and size of the patients who can be safely transported in a medivac helicopter.
weather; environment
