Mod 7 EMS Operations Flashcards

1
Q

The 4 types of ambulances

A
  • Type 1
  • Type 2
  • Type 3
  • Medium duty
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2
Q

Required equipment for basic life support ambulances

A
  • Ventilation and airway equipment
  • Monitoring and defibrillation
  • Immobilization devices
  • Bandages
  • Communication
  • Obstetrical kit
  • Misc. such as blankets, cold packs, ect.
  • Infection control
  • Injury prevention equipment
  • Optional equipment such as mobile phones, glucose meter, infant oxygen mask ect.
  • Optional basic life support medications such as Epi Pens, naloxone ect.
  • Interfacility transport
  • Disassembly tool
  • Spreading tools
  • Pulling tools
  • Protective devices
  • Misc. such as shovels lubrication oil ect.
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3
Q

Ambulance inspection when the engine is off

A
  • Inspect the body of the vehicle
  • Inspect the wheels and tires
  • Inspect the windows and the mirrors
  • Check the operation of every door and all latches and locks
  • Check the level of fluids: oil, coolant, windshield wiper, brake, and transmission fluids
  • Check the battery
  • Inspect the interior surfaces and upholstery for damage and cleanliness
  • Check window operations
  • Test horn, siren and emergency lights
  • Adjust drivers seat and ensure the seat belts are operational.
  • Check the fuel level
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4
Q

Ambulance inspection when the engine is on

A
  • Check the dash mount indicators and if they stay lit to indicate a possible issue with the vehicle
  • Check dash mounted gauges for proper operations
  • Depress the brake pedal
  • Test the parking brake
  • Turn the steering wheel from side to side
  • Check the operation of the windshield wipers and washers
  • Turn on the warning lights
  • Turn on other vehicle lights
  • Check the operation of the heating and air conditioning equipment in both the drivers compartment and the patient compartment
  • Operate the communications equipment
  • If equipped with back up camera make sure it is not damaged
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5
Q

Inspection of patient compartment supplies and equipment

A
  • Using your checklist conduct detailed inspection of interior and exterior equipment
  • Check treatment supplies interior and exterior equipment
  • When you are finished complete the inspection report
  • Finally clean the unit for infection control and appearance.
  • If a call comes in while inspecting take the call and finish the check when you return to service.
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6
Q

What is the emergency medical dispatcher trained to perform

A
  • Ask questions of the caller and assign a priority to the call
  • Provide prearrival medical medical instructions to callers and information to crews
  • Dispatch and coordinate EMS resources
  • Coordinate with other public safety agencies
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7
Q

Questions the EMD should ask

A
  • What is the exact location of the patient?
  • What is your call back number?
  • What’s the problem?
  • How old is the patient?
  • Whats the patients sex?
  • Is the patient conscious?
  • Is the patient breathing?
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8
Q

Being a safe ambulance operator

A
  • Be physically fit
  • Be mentally fit with emotions under control
  • Be able to perform under stress
  • Have a positive attitude about your ability as a driver but not an overly confident risk taker
  • Be tolerant of other divers
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9
Q

Factors that affect response

A
  • Day of the week
  • Time of day
  • Weather
  • Road maintenance, and construction
  • Railroads
  • Bridges and tunnels
  • Schools and school buses. Never pass a school bus with its red lights flashing. Wait for bus driver to signal you to proceed
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10
Q

How to make a safety response

A
  • Minimize lights and sirens. Driving with lights and siren involves high risk
  • Wear your seat belt
  • Know where you are going
  • Come to a complete stop at intersections
  • Don’t be a distracted driver
  • Don’t eat or drink while responding under emergency conditions
  • Don’t listen to music, text or talk on phone while responding
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11
Q

Tips for improving the safety of highway operations

A
  • Keep unnecessary units and people off the highway
  • Avoid crossovers unless a turn can be completed without obstructing traffic
  • If yours is the first unit on scene first unit on scene blocks the incident by parking the apparatus UPSTREAM from the incident.
  • Wear your PPE
  • Place cones/flares UPSTREAM and reduce emergency lighting
  • Be cautious of unit placement and especially not to tamper with evidence at the crime scene
  • Avoid backing up because there are large blind spots in the mirrors and can be dangerous to pedestrians or another vehicle.
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12
Q

Transferring patient to ambulance

A
  • Select proper patient carrying device
  • Package the patient for transfer
  • Move the patient to the ambulance
  • Load the patient into the ambulance
  • Remember to properly package the patient. Wrap firmly to sustain good body temperature.
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13
Q

Preparing patient for transport

A
  • Continue assessment
  • Secure the stretcher in place in the ambulance
  • Position and secure the patient
  • Adjust the security straps
  • Prepare for respiratory or cardiac complications
  • Loosen constricting clothing
  • Load a relative or friend who must accompany the patient.
  • Load personal effects (Shoe’s, purse, over night bag ect.)
  • Talk to your patient
  • Avoid letting patients sit on the bench or airway seat
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14
Q

Caring for patient en route

A
  • Notify the hospital
  • Continue to provide emergency care as required
  • Use safe practices during transport
  • Compile additional patient information
  • Continue assessment and monitor vital signs
  • Notify the receiving facility
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15
Q

Transferring the patient

A
  • Transfer the patient as soon as possible. Stay with the patient until transfer is complete
  • Assist emergency department staff as required
  • Transfer patient information as a verbal report and in a written prehospital care report
  • Transfer the patients personal effects
  • Obtain your release from the hospital
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16
Q

Terminating the call at the hospital

A
  • Quickly clean the patient compartment while taking appropriate standard precautions.
  • Prepare respiratory equipment for service
  • Replace expendable items
  • Exchange equipment according to your local policy
  • Make up the ambulance cot
17
Q

Enroute to the quarters

A
  • Radio the EMD
  • Air the ambulance if necessary
  • Refuel the ambulance
18
Q

At quarters

A
  • Place contaminated linens in a biohazard container and noncontaminated linens in a regular hamper.
  • Remove and clean patient-care equipment as required
  • Clean and sanitize the ambulance interior as required.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly, and change soiled clothing. Do this first if exposed to communicable disease
  • Replace expendable items as required
  • Replace oxygen cylinders as necessary
  • Replace patient care equipment as needed
  • Maintain the ambulance as required. Report problems that will take the vehicle out of service
  • Clean the ambulance exterior as needed
  • Report the unit ready for service
  • Complete any unfinished report forms as soon as possible
19
Q

Reasons why air rescue would be required

A
  • Operational reasons: To speed transport to a distant trauma center or other special facility, when extrication of a high priority patient is prolonged and air rescue can speed transport, or when a patient must be rescued from a remote location that can only be reached by helicopter
  • Clinical reasons: In shock, with a glasgow coma scale total of less than 10, with a head injury with altered mental status, with chest trauma and respiratory distress, with penetrating injuries to the body cavity, with an amputation proximal to the hand or foot, with extensive burns, with a serious mechanism of injury, who is post cardiac arrest with a pulse.
20
Q

How to call for air rescure

A

-Give name, call back number, agency name, nature of situation, exact location, and exact location of a safe landing location.

21
Q

Describing the landing zone to the air rescue service

A
  • Terrain
  • Major landmarks
  • Estimated distance to nearest town
  • Other pertinent information
22
Q

How to approach a helicopter

A
  • Do not approach unless escorted by flight personnel
  • Allow crew to direct loading of patient
  • Stay clear of tail rotor at all times
  • Keep all traffic and vehicles 100 feet or more distant from helicopter.
  • Do not smoke within 200 feet of aircraft.