A Comprehensive Guide to Emergency Medical Services

1. Basic Medical Equipment

We know that every piece of gear is vital in emergency medical services. Let's define some key equipment:

Tactical Medical Kit

A tactical medical kit contains medical equipment carried by EMTs. It's designed to meet the team's needs and reduce injuries in operational environments, ultimately promoting successful outcomes.

Medical Diagnostic Equipment

Medical diagnostic equipment aids in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating medical conditions. This includes imaging machines like ultrasound, MRI, PET, CT scanners, and X-ray machines. Some diagnostic equipment can also be used at home, for example, in diabetes management.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit contains supplies and equipment for providing initial medical assistance. Individuals or organizations can assemble these kits, and their contents vary based on the provider's knowledge, local requirements, and regulations.

Oxygen and Airway Management Gear

Paramedics use plastic tubes to maintain a clear airway for patients struggling to breathe or those unconscious and unable to do so independently. Oxygen is crucial for treating patients experiencing breathing difficulties or respiratory distress.

2. EMS Documents: Self Assessment

Read the paragraphs below and consider the definitions:

Medical Record

A systematic record of a patient's medical history and care over time, maintained by a specific healthcare provider.

Checklist

An informational job aid used to minimize errors by addressing potential limitations in human memory and attention. Checklists help ensure consistency and completeness in performing tasks.

Report/Account

Any informational work created to relay information or recount events in a presentable format. These documents provide focused and organized information.

3. Ambulance Types and Services: Self Assessment

Ambulance and medical transport services utilize specially equipped vehicles to transport ill or injured patients. These services may involve ground or air transport for both emergency and non-emergency situations.

1. Transport can be categorized as emergency or non-emergency.
2. An emergency response requires immediate action from the ambulance provider upon receiving the call.
3. An emergency response is necessary when a delay in medical attention could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the patient's health.
4. Non-emergency response services can be scheduled or unscheduled.

4. Advertising Material, Manuals, and Brochures: Self Assessment

Consider these statements from an ambulance service presentation:

1. BC Ambulance service provides critical care transport by air, land, and sea.
2. BC Ambulance service responds day and night.
3. BC Ambulance service specializes in pre-hospital and inter-hospital critical care transport.