AdvancedEMT.com

High Acuity Care – Mobile ICU

Jeff Bratcher — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 20:45:12 +0000

The role and scope of practice of the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician is becoming more advanced as we move into the new millennium. Mobile Intensive Care Units are becoming common place in the pre-hospital setting. Paramedics more often than not are the primary care provider for the sick and injured. However, the AEMT will begin to assume greater responsibility as we move away from the EMT-I/85 certification to the AEMT certification.

Those individuals who transition to the AEMT should be prepared to render high acuity care. Many EMS & Fire Departments are transporting patients from one hospital to hospitals who have the means to render definitive care. Education and training for these EMS providers is paramount to say the least.

Advanced Life Support rendered by EMTs.

Jeff Bratcher — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:41:52 +0000

The lack of certified Paramedics in the workforce has been an issue for the past decade. It is very promising to see that EMTs have been allowed to provide a higher level of care to the sick and injured. The Nationally Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians has been very supportive & proactive.

Promoting the profession of the Emergency Medical Service provider has finally come full circle. Society will reap the benefits of having higher trained personnel on each ambulance as we move into the new millennium. Early defibrillation coupled with excellent CPR efforts we can expect to see an increase in the outcome of the critically sick and injured.

Do you have the Skills to Save a Life?

Jeff Bratcher — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:34:58 +0000

There are many individuals who tell us each and everyday that they could not do our job. We are called Heroes and Guardian Angels, but there are times when an individual expires despite our efforts. Having the required skills to save a life is of the utmost importance to say the least.

So, how do you know if you posses these skills needed to save a life. Unfortunately, there is no quantitative data or system to monitor or gauge your success rate as a lifesaver because there are to many variables that come into play. Therefore, we measure the level of care that was implemented on a per call basis. Was it a Trauma or Medical call? Critical versus non-critical. What Protocol or Standing Order was utilized to render care or was online medical direction used as an option. Questions that have to be answered per QI and QA is subjective to say the least.

Here’s the basics. Did the EMT or medic select the correct Protocol or Standing Order? If yes, was care rendered according to the protocols as designed and intended per the Medical Director? How long was the crew on-scene before going en-route to the emergency room? The EMT or medic may have had to place an advanced airway device or implement intravenous therapy. If so, was the attempts successful or unsuccessful? How much time was spent in obtaining or completing these task.

As we can see, selecting the appropriate protocol and standing order and initiating the high tertiary level of care in a timely manner is extremely important to a patient having a positive outcome. If we as EMTs and Medics have accomplished all of these goals as set-forth by our Medical Director, then we have collectively as a team have exhibited the necessary skills to save a life. Despite the patients outcome.