Seattle/King County EMT-B Class Topics 2 Ambulance Operations: Chapter 5 Gaining Access: Chapter 6 Special Operations: Chapter 7 Ambulance Operations
Ambulance Operations Emphasis on rapid response places the EMT-B in great danger while driving to calls. EMT-Bs should know: How to equip and maintain an ambulance Techniques for the safe operation of an ambulance How to work safely with air ambulances Type I Type II
Type III Phases of an Ambulance Call Preparation Dispatch En route Arrival at scene Patient transfer En route to receiving facility At the receiving facility En route to station Post-run Preparation Phase Medical equipment and supplies check Personal safety equipment Equipment for work areas Preplanning and navigation Extrication equipment Daily inspections
Medical Equipment Airway and ventilation devices Suction unit Oxygen delivery CPR equipment Basic wound care Splinting supplies Childbirth supplies AED Patient transfer equipment Medications Jump kit Personal Safety Equipment Face shields Gowns, shoe covers, caps Turnout gear Helmets with face shields or safety goggles Safety shoes or boots Equipment for Work Areas Warning devices that flash intermittently or have reflectors Two high-intensity halogen flashlights Fire extinguisher Hard hats or helmets with face shields Portable floodlights
Other Preparations Preplanning and navigation Carry detailed maps and directions. Be familiar with local area. Extrication equipment Equipment needed for simple, light extrication Personnel Every ambulance must be staffed with at least one EMT-B in the patient compartment during patient transport. Two EMTs are strongly recommended. Some services may operate with a non- EMT driver. Inspections and Safety Precautions Being fully prepared means inspecting the ambulance and equipment daily. Check medical equipment and supplies at least daily. Review standard traffic safety rules and regulations. Make sure seat belts work and that oxygen tanks are secured.
Dispatch Phase The dispatcher should gather minimum information such as: Nature of the call Name, person, location, and call-back number Location of the patient(s) Number of patients and idea of the severity of their conditions Special problems or other pertinent information En Route to the Scene Fasten your seat belt. Confirm response and location. Prepare for arrival. Decide what equipment to take initially. Arrival at the Scene Scene safety Safe parking Traffic control
Scene Size-up Look for safety hazards. Evaluate need for additional units. Determine MOI/NOI. Evaluate spinal precautions. Follow BSI precautions. Safe Parking and Traffic Control Park away from hazards and out of flow of traffic. Do not block other responding EMS vehicles. Place appropriate warning devices on both sides of the accident. Transfer Phase Provide lifesaving treatment. Package patient for transport. Be sure to secure the patient with at least three straps across the body.
Transport Phase Inform dispatch when you are ready to leave the scene. Report the number of patients and the name of receiving hospital. Conduct ongoing assessments. Contact medical control. Report number of patients Nature of problems Delivery Phase Report arrival to dispatch. Give report to staff. Physically transfer the patient. Complete written report. Leave a copy with an appropriate staff member. En Route to the Station Inform dispatch whether or not you are in service and where you are going. Clean and disinfect the ambulance and any equipment used. Restock supplies.
Postrun Phase Complete and file any additional written reports. Inform dispatch of your status, location, and availability. Clean and restock the ambulance. Defensive Driving 6,000 ambulances involved in crashes every year 00 fatalities between 99 and 200 Properly operating the ambulance is as important as taking care of patients. Driver Characteristics Physical fitness Effects of medication Fatigue Emotional fitness Maturity and stability Proper attitude As a public servant, your actions will be scrutinized.
Safe Driving Practices Speed does not save lives; good care does. Seat belts must be worn. Learn how your vehicle accelerates, corners, sways, and stops. Driver Anticipation Anticipate the actions of other motorists and pedestrians. Assume actions of other drivers will cause a collision. Use of PA system may add to confusion. Cushion of Safety Keep safe following distance. Watch for tailgaters. Be aware of blind spots. Use a spotter when backing up.
Excessive Speed Speeding is unnecessary if patient is properly assessed and stabilized. Decreases reaction time Increases stopping time and distance Vehicle Size and Cornering Vehicle length and width are critical factors in maneuvering. Vehicle size and weight greatly influence braking and stopping distances. Always be aware of your position on the roadway. Take corners at the speed that will put you in the proper road position as you exit the curve. Weather and Road Conditions Be alert to changing conditions. Decrease speed and increase distance in poor conditions, such as: Hydroplaning Water on roadway Decreased visibility Ice and slippery surfaces
Laws and Regulations Vary from state to state EMS drivers have certain limited privileges. These privileges do not lessen drivers liability. Warning Lights and Sirens Must be responding to an emergency Use both audible and visual devices. Operate with due regard. Right-of-Way Privileges You must not endanger people or property under any circumstances. Know your local right-of-way privileges. Exercise them only when necessary for the patient s well-being.
Escorts and Intersection Hazards Use of escorts A dangerous practice Follow escorts at a safe distance. Intersection hazards Most common place for collisions Even on urgent calls, come to a momentary stop at the light. Air Ambulances Fixed wing Interhospital transfers Rotary-wing Used for shorter distances Medivac Operations Become familiar with local capabilities. Calling for a medivac: Ground transport would take too long. Spinal cord injuries, amputations, burns, diving emergencies, venomous bites Notify your dispatcher first.
Establishing a Landing Zone Area should be hard or grassy level surface that measures 00' x 00' (recommended) Clear area of loose debris and survey for overhead or tall hazards. Mark landing site with weighted cones or headlights. Safety Precautions Do nothing near the helicopter and only go to where the crew or pilot directs you. Keep a safe distance away from the aircraft. Stay away from the tail rotor. Never approach the helicopter from the rear. Special Considerations Nighttime landings Considerably more dangerous than daytime operations Landing on uneven ground Main rotor blade will be closer to the ground on uphill side. Hazardous materials incidents Land zone should be upwind and uphill.
Landing on Uneven Ground 2 Gaining Access 2 Safety Preparation Mental Physical
2 Vehicle Safety Systems Shock-absorbing bumpers Airbags 2 Fundamentals of Extrication Extrication Removal from entrapment or a dangerous situation or position Entrapment To be caught within a closed area with no way out 2 0 Phases of Extrication. Preparation 2. En route to the scene. Arrival and scene size-up 4. Hazard control 5. Support operations
2 0 Phases of Extrication, cont'd 6. Gaining access 7. Emergency care 8. Disentanglement 9. Removal and transfer 0. Termination 2 Preparation Training Equipment maintenance 2 En Route to the Scene Safe driving practices Good steering techniques Road positioning and cornering Controlled acceleration Controlled braking Laws and regulations
2 Arrival and Scene Size-up Traffic hazards Additional resources Coordination within ICS Rescue team responsibilities EMS responsibilities 2 Hazard Control Law enforcement Traffic control Investigation Scene control Fire fighters Extinguishment Spill control Rescue team Extrication 2 Hazards Downed power lines Sharp metal Broken glass Toxic substances Hazardous substance ignition Unstable vehicles
2 Support Operations Lighting Tool and equipment staging areas Helicopter landing zones 2 Gaining Access Is the patient in a vehicle or other structure? Is the vehicle or structure severely damaged? What hazards exist that pose risk to the patient and rescuers? What is the position of the vehicle? What type of surface is it on? Is it stable? 2 Gaining Access, continued Simple access Access without the use of tools or force Complex access Requires the use of tools and force
2 Emergency Care Provide manual immobilization to protect the cervical spine. Open the airway. Provide high-flow oxygen. Assist or provide for adequate ventilation. Control any significant external bleeding. Treat all critical injuries. 2 Disentanglement Removal of the motor vehicle from around the patient. Techniques include: Brake and gas pedal displacement Dash roll-up Door removal Roof opening and removal Seat displacement Steering column displacement Steering wheel cutting 2 Removal and Transfer Determine urgency of move. Plan moves and communicate with the team. Once patient is freed, rapidly reassess and recheck vital signs. Make certain spine is immobilized.
2 Removal and Transfer, cont'd Move the patient in slow, controlled steps. Choose a path that requires the least manipulation of the patient and equipment. Move the patient as a unit. If the patient s condition is critical, perform remaining steps en route. 2 Termination Check tools and equipment. Replace used supplies. Clean unit and conform to bloodborne pathogen standards. Complete all necessary reports. 2 Specialized Rescue Situations Cave rescue Confined space rescue Cross-field and trail rescue Dive rescue Lost person search and rescue Mine rescue Mountain, rock, and ice-climbing rescue
2 Specialized Rescue Situations Ski slope and cross-country or trail snow rescue (ski patrol) Structural collapse rescue Tactical emergency medical support (SWAT) Technical rope rescue (low- and high-angle rescue) Trench rescue Water and small craft rescue White-water rescue 2 Lost Person Search and Rescue Primary role will be to take care of patient when found. Prepare equipment and stand by in area designated by incident command. Only incident command should deliver information to the family unless someone else is designated to do so. 2 Trench Rescue Poor outcome for victims Risk of secondary collapse Proper safety reduces potential for injury. Stage response vehicles.
2 Tactical Emergency Medical Support EMT-Bs, paramedics, nurses, and physicians with specialized tactical and medical training Nonstandard medical procedures similar to battlefield medicine Examples of tactical situations Hostage situations Snipers Barricaded suspects 2 Tactical Emergency Medical Support Response procedures Shut off lights and siren when approaching the scene Report to the command post Planning Specific location of the incident Rally point with tactical EMS providers Helicopter landing zones Hospital locations and route of travel 2 Structure Fires Ask incident command where the ambulance should be positioned. Do not block arriving equipment or become blocked. Only leave the scene if transporting a patient or cleared by incident command.
Special Operations Incident Command System ICS is used to help control, direct, and coordinate resources. It ensures clear lines of responsibility and authority. Incident commander has overall responsibility for the scene. Safety officer is designated to circulate among responders. Incident Command System
Information Officer All information to the public and news media originates at the command post. Safety Officer Circulates through incident scene to ensure safety of responders and victims. Orders by the safety officer have full authority of the incident commander. Sector Commanders Coordinate activities of specialty groups EMS Rescue Fire
Sectors of Typical IC Structure Operations Planning Logistics Finance Incident Command Command structure must be established early and expanded as needed. Incident command may vary in different communities. An EMT-B must not deviate from the directions and orders given by command. Key Components of ICS at an MCI Command center Staging area Extrication area Decontamination area Triage area Treatment area Supply area Transportation area Rehabilitation area
NIMS National Incident Management System Nationwide model to enable federal, state, and local governments and privatesector and non-governmental organizations to work together in an emergency. NIMS, continued Applicable to all jurisdictions Utilized by a variety of disciplines Improves coordination and cooperation Built on existing incident management systems Mass-Casualty Incidents Incidents involving three or more patients Places high demand on available resources May require mutual aid response
Triage Triage is the sorting of two or more patients based on the severity of their conditions. Patients are ranked in the order of the severity of their conditions. Treatment priority is determined by rank. Triage, continued Triage is an essential component of operations at a mass-casualty incident. Triage Categories
Triage Priorities Patients should be color coded early. Patients tagged red should be assessed in the treatment area. Patients in dangerous areas should be removed to a non-hazardous environment prior to triage. Triage Procedures Rotate hospital destinations. Trauma center should receive the most critical patients. Utilize a transport officer to evenly distribute patients. Disaster Management The role of the EMT-B is to respond when requested and report to incident command. A casualty collection area may be set up and staffed by nursing and medical staff with equipment. You may have to bring patients to this area.
Introduction to HazMat Any substance that is toxic, poisonous, radioactive, flammable, or explosive and can cause injury or death with exposure Responders must have special training before becoming involved with hazardous materials. Hazardous Materials Situations A train or truck with a leaking substance A leak, fire, or other emergency at an industrial plant, refinery, or other storage facility A gas pipe leak or rupture Deterioration of underground fuel tanks Buildup of methane in sewers Car crash involving a ruptured gas tank Recognizing Hazardous Materials Warning signs Placards Labels
Recognizing Hazardous Materials Visible cloud or odd-looking smoke coming from an escaping substance A leak or spill from a tank, container, truck, or railroad car An unusually strong, noxious, acrid odor HazMat Placards The four-digit number on the warning placard identifies the hazardous material. First Arrival Stop at safe distance. Call for a HazMat team. Stay out of danger zone. Gather information. Do not reenter the scene. Do not leave until cleared by HazMat.
Identifying Hazardous Materials Safety perimeters Uphill and upwind Efforts to ensure safety and survival of the masses. HazMat Scene Safety Approach a hazardous incident cautiously from upwind. HazMat Scene Operations HazMat will determine the specific hazardous material involved. Only those trained in HazMat and wearing protective gear should enter the zone. As an EMT-B, your job is to remain in the designated treatment area. HazMat will bring patients to you.
Decontamination Area Designated area where contaminates are removed. Anyone who leaves the hazard zone must pass through this area. Wait for the patients to be brought to you. Treating Patients at a HazMat Incident Only essential treatment will take place in the hazard zone and decontamination area. Injuries should be treated as any other patient. Treatment for exposure will be mainly supportive. Initiate transport. Special Care Some patients may need to be treated without full decontamination. Protect yourself with proper gear. Ensure the receiving hospital is aware patient has not been fully decontaminated. Ambulance will need to be decontaminated after transport.
Resources Emergency Response Guidebook Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC) -800-424-900 PPE Levels Level A Fully encapsulated, chemicalresistant protective clothing Level B Non-encapsulated protective clothing with respiratory protection Level C Non-permeable clothing, eye protection, filtering face mask Level D Work uniform; minimal protection Four Levels of Protection Level A Level B Level C Level D
Questions What questions do you have? To review this presentation, go to: http://www.emsonline.net/emtb