General Information Flashcards
Who’s responsibility is it to maintain a thorough and ongoing run review process?
Each Department
How frequent are medical director audits?
Random
The random audit is a part of each departments what?
Risk Management and Quality Assurance obligations
Random Audit is used for what 3 reasons?
- Assure standards of pt care are being met as are generally outlined in the protocols.
- To assure that refusal and trip destination policies are being adhered to.
- To identify areas in which continuing education is necessary.
Who’s responsibility is it to maintain the overall skills and competencies of EMS personnel?
Each Department
Frequency of Skills check offs?
Annual
Who’s responsibility is continuing education?
EMS personnel and their department
To what 3 persons shall medical control be extended to?
- Any EMS entity functioning in the EMS system.
- Any EMT-P student directly involved with department through an approved training program.
- Any EMS entity of your department functioning in a stand-by capacity at a special event as part of the EMS system.
When shall Medical control be utilized? 4
- Whenever the EMS entity wishes to utilize Medical Control.
- When the protocol indicates Medical Control orders only.
- When the patient’s complaint does not match a protocol.
- When the paramedic wishes to deviate from a protocol.
When shall standing orders be utilized?
After assessment performed and clinical indications are present to initiate the orders.
Required each time standing orders are utilized?
Contact with the receiving hospital with a verbal report prior to arrival
Who can create Medical Control orders?
Only a State of Texas licensed physician
When an order is given who is applicable to?
ALL EMS entities involved in the care of the patient
When a physician directed order is made what shall be done before closing the call?
Documentation in the PCR
For Medical Control who should the agency contact?
Their Medical Director or the hospital which provides Medical Control as described in the contract.
For out of city response what protocols shall an EMS entity provide care under as a part of their normal course of duty and equipped to their scope of practice?
These Protocols
When transferring care to another EMS entity what is required?
The receiving EMS entity is equal or higher in their scope of practice
When a bystander at scene identifies as a healthcare professional how may they assist? 3
- Within their scope of practice
- Under their professional license
- Under their own liability
In the event of a conflict between Medical Control orders an an on-scene healthcare professional what shall occur?
Medical Control orders shall be followed
Under these protocols what medications can an EMT-B administer?
Epinephrine (auto-injector)
Oral Glucose
Aspirin
Albuterol/Atrovent
Under these protocols what medications can an EMT-B assist with?
Assist pt with own bronchodilator administration (metered dose inhaler-MDI)
Assist pt with own nitroglycerin
What advanced access may an EMT-B make?
Intraosseous
What airway adjuncts may an EMT-B use?
OPA
NPA
King Airway
In addition to what an EMT-B can administer what medications may an EMT-I administer?
Narcan
Dextrose (non-oral)
In addition the the advanced access and EMT-B can make how can an EMT-I make advanced access?
Peripheral intravenous access (including external jugular)
In addition to the airway adjuncts an EMT-B may use what airway adjuncts can an EMT-I use?
Endotracheal Intubation (nasal and oral)
What 4 skills can an EMT-P not perform but a Critical Care paramedic can perform?
- Intravenous Pump Management
- Ventilator Management
- Continuation of advanced IV drips
- Continuation of advanced lines/chest tubes.
What is meant by “Appropriate Facility?”
A hospital that will best address the pt’s medical needs.
Adult trauma pt’s should be transported to what appropriate facility?
Level 1, 2, or 3 trauma center either by ground transportation or aero-medical transport.
If an adult trauma pt is unstable what appropriate facility should they be transported to? Why?
Nearest Emergency Department
For Stabilization
2 Criteria requiring a pt to be transported to the nearest appropriate Level 1 or Level 2 Trauma Center
- Significant facial trauma (displaced mandible, orbital or mid-face fractures (excluding nasal fractures))
- Amputations proximal to the wrist or ankle
Burn Center Transport Criteria
Partial/Full thickness burns (>20% Adult BSA, >10% Peds BSA, facial, inhalation, genitalia)
17 Level 1,2, or 3 Trauma transport criteria
- Intubated/respiratory distress
- SBP<90 (if age >65 SBP <110) or pediatric age appropriate hypotension
- Adult GCS <12, Peds GCS<13
- Penetrating injury to head, neck, chest, abdomen and/or pelvis
- Fracture with pulseless extremity
- Ejection from vehicle, rollover or major vehicle deformity
- Auto-ped or Auto-bicycle with impact >5mph
- Motorcycle crash >20mph or with separation from bike
- Femur fx or two long bone fxs (not tibia/fibula or radius/ulna)
- Falls >10 ft (peds 2x height)
- MVC w/ collision speed >40 mph
- Extrication time >20 minutes
- Burns (thermal or electrical) not meeting Level 1 or 2 transport criteria
- Head trauma w/ persistent GCS <14 or spinal trauma with neuro deficit
- Hanging
- Paralysis or other sign of spinal cord injury
- Death in the same vehicle
Unstable Pedi pt meeting trauma transport requirements shall be transported where? Why?
Nearest Emergency Department
For Stabilization
Stable Pedi pt >14 years old meeting trauma transport requirements shall be transported where?
Appropriate Trauma Center
Stable Pedi pt <14 years old meeting trauma transport requirements shall be transported where?
Cook Childrens Medical Center- Fort Worth
Childrens Medical Center- Dallas
Pedi Trauma pt not meeting trauma transport requirements shall be transported where?
Facility of choice (in compliance with policy) as determined by family member giving consent or to the nearest ED if a preference is not expressed.
6 unstable trauma pts requiring transport to the nearest ED for stabilization
- Tension Pneumothorax
- Obstructive airway
- Massive facial and neck injury compromising airway
- Traumatic arrest with ongoing CPR
- Burn pt with potential airway compromise
- Patients necessitating emergent blood transfusion
Pt not meeting trauma criteria should be transported to the hospital of choice with due consideration of what 3 things?
- ED’s status (open or closed)
- EMS system operational status
- Facility where the pt routinely obtains medical care for continuity of care
Pt with an unstable hemodynamic status should be transported where?
Nearest appropriate ED
7 presentations with which a pt is considered unstable
- Altered Mental Status (unless normal for pt)
- Symptomatic bradycardia or tachycardia
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Airway obstruction that cannot be relieved
- Symptomatic hypotension
- Suspected high-risk OB pt
- Pt w/ existing condition which may deteriorate or not tolerate extended transport time which may result in an unfavorable outcome.
Who should the primary paramedic consult with if the pt stability is in question?
Medical Control
Stable medical pt should be transported where?
Local destination of their choice and if no preference then to the nearest ED.
Stroke pt should be transported where?
Nearest stroke approved facility
If strong suspicion of non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage what should be considered when choosing a facility for transport?
Neurosurgery coverage
STEMI pt should be transported where?
Closest facility with 24/7 Interventional Cardiology available.
CPR w/ ROSC pt should be transported where?
Nearest hypothermia capable facility with 24/7 Interventional Cardiology available
Premature delivery of a fetus <37 weeks gestation with a mother who is stable should be transported where?
Facility with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Premature delivery of a fetus <37 weeks gestation with a mother who is unstable should be transported where?
Nearest ED for stabilization
Stable OB pt <20 weeks should be taken where?
Patient Preferred facility
Unstable OB pt <20 weeks gestation should be taken where?
Closest facility
OB pt >20 weeks gestation should be taken where?
Closest facility w/ a Labor and Delivery Unit
True or False
Depending on the case and complaint an OB pt may either go directly to L&D or be seen in the ED to rule out non-OB emergent issues.
True
Once Aero-medical is en route to the scene who may cancel the request?
The Pilot or medical personnel in attendance with the pt at the scene.
Who reviews aero-medical scene response requests?
Medical Director as a part of the EMS QA program
6 criteria for Aero-medical transport
- Pt located in remote or off-road area not readily accessible to ground ambulance
- Ground resources exhausted or exceeded
- Special environmental conditions which affect potential pt outcome or prohibit ground access to hospital
- Pt w/ >20 minute extrication time
- When ground transport times exceed 45 minutes to appropriate facility
- Scene commander feels the benefits outweigh the risks
Define Person
Any individual that EMS encounters who does NOT demonstrate any known/suspected illness/injury AFTER and evaluation may be released.
6 Circumstances which may make an individual a pt
- Any individual who activates EMS for themselves
- Any individual for whom 911 is activated on their behalf AND has a chief complaint or injury
- Any individual with an injury or illness
- Any individual with a medical or traumatic complaint
- Any individual with a NEW altered level of consciousness
- Any individual where EMT/Paramedic suspects injury due to mechanism
Define Incapacitated
Lacking the ability, determined by reasonable medical judgement, to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of a treatment decision, including the significant benefits and harms of, and reasonable alternatives to, any proposed treatment decision.
What kind of needs does the medical community believe EMS entities are required by the public for?
Anticipated or Actual medical needs