Module 9: EMS Operations

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities during EMS operations.

• Comprehend safety protocols and legal considerations in EMS.

• Learn about mass casualty incidents (MCIs), triage procedures, and incident management systems.

Ambulance Operations

• Preparation

  • Equipment checks.

  • Maintaining readiness.

• Safe Driving Practices

  • Defensive driving.

  • Understanding laws regarding emergency vehicles.

• En Route to the Scene

  • Use of lights and sirens.

  • Navigation and communication.

Personal Safety

• Always your first priority.

• Use of PPE.

Hazard Recognition

• Traffic hazards.

• Environmental dangers.

• Violence or hostile scenes.

Consent

• Expressed Consent: Patient agrees verbally or non-verbally.

• Implied Consent: Unconscious patients, minors without guardians.

Refusal of Care

• Patient must be informed of risks.

• Documentation is crucial.

Confidentiality

• HIPAA regulations.

• Sharing information only with involved healthcare providers.

Incident Command System (ICS)

• Structured approach to manage incidents.

• Roles: Incident Commander, Operations, Logistics, Planning, Finance.

Triage Principles

• Sorting patients based on severity.

• Goal: Do the greatest good for the greatest number.

START Triage System

• Assess Respirations

  • If not breathing, open airway.

  • If still not breathing, tag as deceased (black).

  • If breathing >30 breaths per minute, tag as immediate (red).

• Assess Perfusion

  • Radial pulse absent or capillary refill >2 seconds, tag as immediate.

• Assess Mental Status

  • Unable to follow commands, tag as immediate.

Triage Categories

• Immediate (Red)

• Delayed (Yellow)

• Minor (Green)

• Deceased/Expectant (Black)