EMER 107 Flashcards
what is a paramedic
self-regulated health care professional with the skills and knowledge to respond to and treat the sick and injured out-of-hospital
what is patient care centred on
prevention, preservation of life, promoting better health and preventing the deterioration of our patient’s condition
1700 BCE Babylon
medical care professional would go into homes
Code of Hammurabi
“protocols and reimbursements for medical care including punishment for malpractice”
Hammurabi
the king who invented rule by law
1790’s (Napoleon’s time)
sending medical care to the patient was no longer done; care was now provided in the field
Jean Larrey
physician who developed ‘ambulances volantes’ (flying ambulances)
1950’s during the Korean War
discovered that bringing pre hospital services closer to field increased the survival rate
Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH units)
were helicopters; helped thousands of solders and civilians
Late 1950’s early 1960’s: Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs)
staffed by specifically trained physicians
Spread to North America and these physicians become short staffed
1965 (united states)
The National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council released a paper which outlined 10 critical points to establish a functioning system
1966
National Highway Safety Act was enacted as a result of 1965 paper
It included the US Department of Transportation (US DOT)
US DOT
created to help development of basic and advanced life support programs
1971
First EMT textbook in USA published by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
Titled “Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured”
1968
Basic training standards were developed
1969
Dr. Eugene Nagel (Miami, Florida) began training Miami firefighters with advanced medical skills
Dr. Nagel
father of paramedicine in the USA
developed first system that enabled firefighters to transmit a patients ECG to physicians and receive radio instructions from physicians regarding how to proceed
1977
first National Standard Curriculum for paramedics was developed by the US DOT
Curriculum was based on work of Dr. Nancy Caroline
1832 Toronto
first organized ambulance service in Toronto
Mainly transported victims of cholera outbreak (acute diarrheal illness)
1946 Saskatchewan
One of the first Canadian Air Ambulance programs
1974 British Columbia
organized ambulance service was created
1984
The Canada Health Act was passed
The Canada Health Act
Canada’s legislation that funds health care insurance using public funds
5 principles of The Canada Health Act
Public administration Accessibility Comprehensiveness Universality Portability
Early 1990’s
paramedic training programs included in the Canadian Medical Association’s accreditation process
1984
Paramedic Association of Canada was formed
Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC)
formerly known as Canadian Society of Ambulance Personnel
Canada’s organization representing prehospital practitioners
Represents over 20 000 practitioners
2001
National Occupational Competency Profiles (NOCPs)
National Occupational Competency Profiles (NOCPs)
issued by PAC
First document to describe core competencies paramedics are required to practice in Canada
2006
review process for update of the NOCP began
2011
updated version of NOCP
2002
The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC)
The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) function
incorporated as a national forum for info gathering, policy development and coordinated action by the leadership of Canada’s paramedic systems
2007
PCC paper “The Future of EMS in Canada: Defining the New Road Ahead
6 key strategic directions defined by PCC paper “The Future of EMS in Canada: Defining the New Road Ahead
Clear core identity: clearly define who and what EMS is
Stable funding: ensure consistent availability of community resources required for EMS services
Systematic development: EMS system must be open to change and accountable for performance in a complex changing environment
Personnel development: Ems must ensure education/training staff are robust to allow personal and professional paramedic growth
As well as highest quality of prehospital care; embracing all new technologies
Leadership support: leaders must have specific knowledge and skills to operate EMS system at maximum performance
Mobilized health care: EMS must change and evolve with health care in Canada
There are paramedic in the world that have evolved to provide definitive primary care outside of traditional clinical venues
what does NOCPs outline
each levels scope of practice
Document identifies competencies that must be met to practice in Canada
Helped standardize minimum education requirements across country
dispatcher
Key role in an emergency call;
must receive and enter all info;
interpret the info;
relay the info to resources
The Emergency Medical Responder
not certified in all provinces/territories
EMR also called first responder: trained in CPR and/or first aid
Often works as part of fire service or other community based public service agency
The Primary Care Paramedic and skills/abilities
Skills and abilities include:
Oxygen, wound care, splinting and basic treatment modalities
administration of a select medications for symptoms of ischemic chest pain and shortness of breath
defibrillate unstable cardiac rhythms
in some cases; provide advanced airway procedures using supraglottic airways
initiate or maintain IV lines and provide certain types of fluid therapy
The Advanced Care Paramedic and skills/abilities
Builds on the knowledge/skills of PCP
Skills and abilities include:
Provide ALS
Provide specific airway measures
Intubation, cricothyrotomy and needle decompression
Administer a variety of medications to manage cardiac, respiratory, neurologic and endocrine emergencies
The Critical Care Paramedic
primarily work with air ambulance or land based critical care interfacility transfer services
move critically ill patients between facilities and may also transfer of patients requiring highly specialized therapies such as extra corporeal life support
Patient often complex needing multiple medications, blood products, and mechanical ventilation
4 levels of care in Canada identified in the NOCP document
Critical Care Paramedic Advanced Care Paramedic Primary Care Paramedic Emergency Medical Responder *not all provinces recognize all levels
scope of practice is based on
the level that you are licensed as in your province; not the level of training you have received
first responders in Saskatchewan duties
Dispatched for each 911 medical request along with EMS response
First responder team offers initial medical care until EMS arrives
May be incorporated within the volunteer or municipal fire dept.
Saskatchewan police and RCMP are deemed to be first responders as well
Some offering AED or initial medical care
Basic Life Support duties
EMS unit dispatched initially and capable of transport
ALS unit can be staged encase of request from BLS or can be dispatched simultaneously on “time sensitive” calls
The BLS can begin transport and have the responding ALS intercept
First responder and fire services can still be part of this response
A non-transporting one person ALS rover unit duties
Staged within service area; allows efficient coverage to all areas
When dispatched simultaneously with EMS unit it can have shorter response times and provide ALS more quickly
First responder and fire services can still be part of this response
Saskatchewan Air Ambulance or STARS duties
Any EMS crew can begin initial request
Most cases 911 system pre-alerts STARS anticipating EMS will follow up with a request for service
Saskatchewan Air Ambulance is limited to facility pick up and transport of the patient
STARS can be dispatched directly to scene
National EMS Organizations
Canada
Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC)
Paramedics Chiefs of Canada
Society of Prehospital Educators in Canada (SPEC)
Canadian Transport Medicine Association (CTMA)
Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP)
Heart and Stroke Foundation
PAC’s function
Exists to promote quality care through cooperative working relationships among organizations with national EMS interests
SPEC’s function
Society for Pre-hospital Educators in Canada
Development and maintenance of standards for both initial and continuing education for EMS providers
PCOS’s function
paramedic Services Chiefs of Saskatchewan
Promotes ongoing development and awareness of the EMS profession through educational workshops
PCOC’s function
The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada
A national forum for policy development
Saskatchewan Health’s function
Collaborates with the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics and Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons on the “Paramedic Clinical Practice Protocols” and the Scope of Practice for all EMS providers
SCoP function
Governed by a council. Council includes six elected members as well as three members of the public appointed by the Ministry of Health
COPR’s functions
Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators
As one of their tasks they determined the four different levels of practice in Canada (EMR, PCP, ACP and CCP) and defined scope of practice and standard of care for them
PAC’s history
Created in 1988
Over 14000 members
formerly the Canadian Society of Ambulance Personnel (CSAP)
Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators COPR history
est 2010
national exam that must be written by all practitioners in Canada to be licenced
Society for Pre-hospital Educators in Canada (SPEC) history
2005 workshop
2007 est
The Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCOC) history
est 2002
define registration
means that records of your training local licensure and recertification will be held by a recognized board of registration and implies you have successfully completed the required provincial testing
define reprocity
granting recognition to a paramedic from another province or agency
Saskatchewan College of Paramedics (SCoP) history
est via paramedics act in 2008
self regulated
Saskatchewan College of Paramedics (SCoP) code of conduct
Code Requires:
members recognize their limitations
recognize the skills of others in the care and treatment of patient
provide care within scope
seek consultation when necessary
assume responsibility for personal and professional development
quality assurance
process for evaluating problems and generating solutions
Continuous quality improvement (CQI)
process that evaluates problems and find solutions
Quality gap
difference between processes/outcomes in practice and those thought to be achievable with most current knowledge
Patient safety
absence of potential or occurrence of a health care system injury to a patient
Normalization of deviance
so comfortable that it deviates from standards to sub standard and leads to poor care, medical errors and bad patient outcome
common causes of medical errors
Communication errors Increasing specialization and fragmentation of health care Human errors from overwork/burnout Manufacturing errors Equipment failure Diagnostic errors Multiple choices for care Poorly designed vehicles, buildings and facilities
common EMS related errors
Airway choice and placement errors in 22 to 40 percent
Medication errors
Errors in pediatrics
what should a Continuous quality improvement (CQI) include
Identify any system wide problem Review process for problems develop a list of remedies Develop action plan Enfore action plan Re-examine issues Identify and promote excellence in patient care Identify modifications to protocols Identify situations that are not addressed by protocols
CQI can help prevent and identify stress points:
Medical direction issues Training and education Communications Prehospital treatment Transportation issues Financial issues Receiving facility review Dispatch Public info and education Disaster planning Mutual aid Responsible for reporting adverse events or near missed to authority
Profession
field of endeavour that requires specialized set of knowledge, skills and expertise
what percent of EMS communication verbal and what percent is non verbal
Only 7% is verbal (oral and written)
93% are nonverbal
key attributes for paramedics
ntegrity Empathy Compassion Accountability Communication Teamwork Respect Patient Advocate Injury Prevention Careful Delivery of Services
personal mission:
defining the personal, moral and ethical guidelines within your life work
patient advocacy:
is ensuring the best for the patient, defending patients’ rights, supporting patients’ wishes
patient advocacy outlined in NOCP
Function as patient advocates Know when advocacy is required Explain how a practitioner can advocate for the patient Know the value of patient advocacy Integrate advocacy into clinical care
Agreed Upon Code of Conduct on Patient Advocacy- roles included:
Patients best interest as primary concern at all times
Seeking consent
Assessing patients’ needs and providing
Maintaining dignity, confidentiality and privacy
Ensure indiscriminatory medical care
Principles of advocacy are based on medical ethics (autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence and justice)
Patients have the right to consent or refuse treatment (autonomy)
The Paramedic should work in the best interest of the patient (beneficence)
The paramedic should do no harm (non- maleficence)
The paramedic should ensure that health care resources are distributed fairly and equally (justice)
What Can Paramedics Do to Become a More Effective Patient Advocate?
Educate yourself Respect Them As a Person Care for Them Keep Them at Home and Provide Alternative Care Options Safeguard Communicate Handover
leadership:
passion and desire that a paramedic has to make a difference in someone else’s life. Having the courage to face any challenge that may be present
Qualities of a leader
Communication Proficience Honesty Respect for other Integrity Credibility Trustworthiness Vision Empathy Professional Approachable Communication is most important quality
5 levels of leadership
1.Position (rights)
People who follow you will give you the least amount of their energy and effort
2.Permission (relationship)
They like you, you like them
3.Production (Result)
Produce and accomplish results
4.People Development (Reproduction)
Start developing people and making them better
5.Personhood (respect)
People follow you because you have helped so many others you have become bigger than life in their eyes
what are the 9 leadership types
Transactional Transformational Autocratic Situational People Oriented Participative Charismatic Laissez- Faire Bureaucratic
Transactional leadership
Focuses on supervision and performance
Positive actions are rewarded; negative are punished
Leaders direct efforts of others through tasks and structure and provide vision
Ex: Steve Jobs
Transformational leadership
Centered on the connection between a leader and a follower
Encourage individual success and growth
“quiet leaders” lead by example; inspirational
Ex: Martin Luther King Jr.
autocratic leadership
Individual control over all decisions and little input from others
Can be very effective if used correctly
If used incorrectly it can result in poor moral, high turnover rate of employees and misunderstanding
Ex: Mark Zuckerburg
Situational leadership
When leader changes their leadership style based on specific situations
Adaptive leadership style
Encourages leaders to learn about their members, workplace and choose a style that best fits goals and circumstances
Best suited for EMS because the environment is always changing
Ex: Dwight D. Eisenhower ( former US president and military general)
people oriented leadership
Focuses on organization and development of their followers
Find success in the success of those they mentor and coach
Ex: Gandhi
participative leadership
Leader takes into account opinions of team members
Ex: Walt Disney
charismatic leadership
Uses leader’s own enthusiasm and energy to motivate others
Success is often credited to the leader and not the actions of the individual
Mother Teresa
Laissez- Faire leadership
Means “leave it be”
Leadership is a hands off approach
Leader will give broad direction and leave it up to the individual to fill in the blanks
This style is only effective with people that are motivated and work well independently
Ex: Queen Victoria
bureaucratic leadership
Also known as “by the book” leadership
Expect policies and procedures to be followed to the letter no deviations
Ex: Abraham Lincoln
management vs leadership
Management consists of controlling a group or set of entities to accomplish a goal
Leadership is an individuals ability to influence, motivate and enable other to contribute toward organizational success
10 differences between managers and leaders
leaders develop followers; managers manage people and things
Essence: managers=stability leaders=change
Rules: manager= make them leaders= break them
Approach: manager=plan details leaders= sets direction
Culture: manager= execute leaders= shape
Conflict: manager= avoid leaders= use
Direction: manager= comfortable leaders= new
Credit: manager= take leaders= give
Decisions: manager= makes leaders= facilitates
Vision: managers= tell leadership=sells
Style: manager= transactional leaders= transformational
delegation:
transferring responsibility for the performance of an activity or task while retaining accountability for the outcome
deciding to delegate
You should always perform your own assessments
Consider the other care providers level of training and experience
Never delegate a task that is out of another practitioner’s scope
Be clear and specific of the task you want to be completed
Treat others with respect
integrity:
be open, honest, and truthful with patients
most important attribute
empathy:
show that you acknowledge and understand the feelings of patients, their families, and other health care professionals
self motivation:
internal drive for excellence; continuously educate yourself, accept feedback and perform with minimal supervision
This is a driving force to ensure that you always behave professionally
communication:
express and exchange thoughts/findings with colleges
Listen and speak directly without confusing words to patients and their families
Teamwork and respect:
required in EMS on every call
Patient advocacy:
act in the best interest of the patient; never allow personal feeling to affect the care you provide
Injury prevention:
if you spot a potential hazard talk about findings to patient or family member
Careful delivery of service:
deliver highest quality prehospital care
Pay careful attention to detail and evaluate and re-evaluate your performance
Follow policies, protocols and orders of superiors
primary responsibilities of paramedics
Preparation: be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared
Response: respond in a timely, safe matter
Scene management: first priority is safety of yourself and team; then patient and bystanders
Patient assessment and care: perform organized assessment of each patient based on principles
Management and disposition: follow protocols
Transfer of Care: when arrived at facility continue to act as a patient advocate
Documentation: extremely important that PCRs are filled out immediately
Return to service: responsible for restocking and preparing the unit quickly
dignity
treating people with honour and respect
Elements of preserving patient dignity include:
Acceptance of everyone’s identity
Inclusion of patients in their treatment plans
Safety and communication
Recognition and validation of patients concerns and complaints
Understanding of a patient’s needs and circumstances
Empathy:
sensing and understanding or trying to understand the emotions and experiences of others
Putting yourself in their shoes; imagine what they are thinking and feeling
To show compassion we must:
Accept others for who they are and see their potential for good
Never stop trying to heal those in need
Take action. Must have more than just compassionate thoughts
Have courage. Must always have the courage to try
Age of Majority Act
Defines the age of majority in Saskatchewan as 18 years and outlines how the age pertains to legal matters
Age of majority: 18 years old but not 19 yet
The Ambulance Act
Outlines how the operator may deploy employees and resources
Outlines employee’s responsibility to the employer
PART IV of The Ambulance Act
info on hours allowed to work each shift/week
sleep requirements
The Ambulance Regulations
Outlines the rules for EMS
Part IV of The Ambulance Regulations
vehicle equipment and standards
PART VI of The Ambulance Regulations
Management of Ambulance Services
PART VIII of The Ambulance Regulations
Qualifications of Attendants
Appendix of The Ambulance Regulations
Ambulance accessory equipment General Patient care Medical equipment Als medical equipment
The Emergency Medical Aid Act
“good Samaritan act”
Non-liability for the provision of emergency medical services or first-aid assistance
The Coroner Act
Outlines the role of the coroner, their authority and who’s responsibility it is to contact them
when may coroner be Disqualified or Re- assigned from an investigation
Has been a physician for the deceased within 30 days prior to death
Has performed post mortem examinations of the body of the deceased
Death may have been cause at a place where the coroner has a financial interest
Coroner or police must be immediately notified of any death that was:
Result of accident/violence/self inflicted
Cause other than disease or sickness
Result of negligence, misconduct or malpractice
Suddenly and unexpectedly when deceased appeared to be in good health
Body not available because
Body or part has been destroyed
In a place where it cannot be recovered
Cannot be located
Stillbirth without medical practitioner
Direct or immediate consequence of deceased being engaged in employment, an occupation or business
Occurred under circumstances that require investigation
powers of coroner
May enter and inspect any place where dead body is
Examine and make copies of any records relating to deceased
Take charge ofpersonal belonging of deceased
Remove objects from area with chiefs approval
Seize bodily fluids obtained from deceased before death
Health Care Directives year of best
Proclaimed in 2015
Outlines
who can make a health care directive
Anyone 16 years or older who has the capacity to make a health care decision
when is health care directive in effect
When person does not have capacity to make health care decisions
Remains in effect until person recovers
requirements of health care directive
Must be in writing
Dated and signed by person making it or proxy
Must have witness when signing it
Bill C-14 Medical Assistance in Dying
June 17 2016
Outlines who is eligible and the practitioners than can facilitate the request
Medical Assistance in Dying eligibility
At least 18
Grievous and irremediable medical condition
Voluntary request
Give informed consent
The Traffic Safety Act
Outlines rules pertaining to operation, registration and license of motor vehicles
Child and family Service Act
Designed to promote well being of children in need of protection
Outlines our responsibilities in the presence of suspected child abuse
when is a child in need of protection
As a result of action or omission by childs parent:
Suffered or likely to suffer physical harm
Suffered or likely to suffer a serious imparment of mental or emotional functioning
Child has been or likely to be:
Exposed to harmful interaction for a sexual purpose
Sexually exploited by another person
Medical, surgical or other care/ treatment needed but not likely to be provided to child
Childs development is likely to be seriously impared by failure to remedy a mental, emotional, or developmental contition
Child has been exposed to interpersonal violence or severe domestic disharmony likely to result in physical or emotional harm to child
There is no adult who is able and willing to provide for cilds needs and physical or emotiona harm has or will occur
Child is less than. 12 and: Commited an act that if child were 12 years of age or more would constitute under Criminal code Controlled substance and drugs act Cannabis act
Mental Health Services Act
Outlines responsibilities and obligations when caring for mental health patients
Paramedic Act of Saskatchewan
Replaces parts of the Ambulance Acts and Regulations
Defines duties of the SCoP
Serve and protect the public and act in the public interest not in the interest of the members
The Saskatchewan Employment Act (formerly The Occupational Health and Safety Act) and The Occupational Health and Safety/Regulations and what year
1972
Made health and safety the joint responsibility of management and workers
Protected workers’ fundamental rights
what are the workers’ fundamental rights
Right to know
Right to participate
Right to refuse
The Role of the Occupational Health and Safety Division
division helps people in the workplace understand and fulfill their responsibilities
officers support occupational health committees and worker representatives, inspect workplaces, and enforce compliance with health and safety requirements.