Emergency Health Careers

Chapter 32


Emergency Health Careers



Learning Objectives



image Define at least 10 terms related to emergency health care.


image Specify the role of the emergency medical technician and emergency department personnel, including personal qualities, levels of education, and credentialing requirements.


image Identify three levels of care that have been developed to provide first aid.


image Identify at least six types of external wounds and first-aid treatment for each.


image Identify at least three types of burns and first-aid treatment for each.


image Describe at least five ways in which poisoning may occur and first-aid treatment for each.


image Describe at least five causes of shock and the physical reaction to and first-aid treatment for each.


image Identify three types of fractures and first-aid treatment for each.


image Describe the effects of extreme cold and heat on the body and first-aid treatment for each.


image Describe the signs, symptoms, and treatment for a stroke and seizure activity.



Key Terms
















Emergency Health Careers Terminology*







































































Term Definition Prefix Root Suffix
Anaphylactic Condition of not being protected against disease an aphylact ic
Cardiopulmonary Referring to the lungs and heart cardio pulmon ary
Cyanoderm Blue skin cyan/o derm  
Hematemesis Vomiting of blood hemat eme sis
Hemorrhage Copious loss of blood   hemo rrhage
Hypothermia Condition of being below normal temperature hypo therm ia
Midline Median plane mid line  
Pneumothorax Pertaining to the lungs and chest pneumo thorax  
Semiconscious Partially aware of sensations semi consc ious
Ventral Abdomen; front side   ventr al


image


*A transition syllable or vowel may be added to or deleted from the word parts make the combining form.




Abbreviations for Emergency Health Careers






































Abbreviation Meaning
ACLS Advanced cardiac life support
AED Automated external defibrillator
AHA American Heart Association
AKA Above knee amputation
ARC American Red Cross
EMT-Basic Emergency medical technician-basic
EMT-I Emergency medical technician-intermediate
EMT-P Emergency medical technician-paramedic
ER Emergency room
Fx Fracture



Careers


Accidents are one of the five leading causes of death in the United States. They account for 50% of the fatalities of those 15 to 24 years of age. Injuries can result from automobile and home accidents, falls, fires, explosions, natural disasters, and industrial mishaps. Snow, water, and other athletic sports also account for injuries that require emergency care. Common injuries caused by accidents include bone fractures, cuts, poisoning, reactions to heat and cold, problems associated with medical conditions, and loss of vital functions.


The goal of modern emergency care is immediate aid, or first aid, at the scene of injury rather than just the transportation of the victim to a medical facility. Levels of care have developed to provide this immediate care (Table 32-1). These include the bystanders or first responders with knowledge of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and advanced emergency personnel (Box 32-1). Emergency medical services (EMS) are present in many communities. The EMS system is a coordinated response by all levels of practitioners to accidents and sudden illness. In most areas of the United States, EMS are initiated by the use of the 9-1-1 telephone call. Personnel answering 9-1-1 calls are trained to determine the type of rescue personnel needed, the location of the emergency, and other pertinent information. In some instances EMS personnel may even be able to direct the caller on methods for giving aid to the victim.



BOX 32-1   Emergency Health Careers






Emergency Medical Technician


EMTs work under the supervision of a physician to provide care to the acutely ill or injured person in the prehospital setting. They respond to medical emergencies, give immediate care, and transport the victim to the hospital. They also maintain the rescue vehicles and equipment. Some EMTs are employed by ambulance companies, emergency centers, and industry. Four classifications of EMTs are recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: the First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P).


All EMTs must be alert to details and able to manipulate small objects skillfully. The job is physically demanding and requires heavy lifting. The work is usually arranged in shifts and includes irregular hours.


The role of the EMT-First Responder is to provide care in cases of acute illness and injury until more qualified personnel are available. Skills such as CPR, first aid for fractures and bleeding, treatment of shock, and assistance with childbirth are included in the training (Fig. 32-1).


image
FIGURE 32-1 The Human Patient Simulator is used as a learning tool for emergency medical technicians. The lifelike manikin physically represents the patient. Clinical features such as palpable pulses and heart sounds, monitored parameters, electrocardiogram, and pulmonary artery catheter bring the patient to life. Sophisticated physiologic models of the body systems simulate normal and pathophysiologic responses to drugs, mechanical ventilation, and other therapies. (Courtesy Medical Education Technologies, Sarasota, Fla.)

EMT-Basic personnel perform all of the skills of the EMT-First Responder. In addition, the EMT-Basic may care for the person at an accident scene and provide transport in an ambulance.



image Brain Byte


About 80% of automobile accidents are linked to distracted driving, such as texting, which increases the risk of crashing by 20-fold.


In addition to the training of the EMT-Basic, the EMT-Intermediate (EMT-I) may establish intravenous lines, assess trauma victims, and apply inflatable antishock garments.


The EMT-P, or paramedic, provides advanced life support. The paramedic must be skilled in all the duties of the other EMT personnel, as well as in monitoring electrocardiograph readings and defibrillation. EMT-Ps may be employed by fire and police departments or act as community volunteers. Paramedics may administer medications and perform endotracheal intubation.


Some states vary in their requirements for emergency medical technician training, which may limit an EMT’s opportunities to move to other areas. In some states, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma. Standards for the educational requirements of EMTs are set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Thirty-eight states require registration with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for certification. Training also includes a supervised internship. Certification of EMTs is required by all states. Proof of continuing education is required for recertification.


EMT personnel may be categorized into four levels. When this type of naming system is used, the lowest level is the EMT-First Responder. These individuals have training in basic first aid and might be firefighters, policemen, or others who are the first to respond to an emergency. The first level of the emergency medical technician training system is the EMT-1, which is the same as the EMT-Basic. The EMT-Intermediate is divided into two levels (EMT-2 and EMT-3), depending on the training received. The EMT-4 level is the EMT-Paramedic.





Other Emergency Personnel


Flight rescue professions have evolved as a career opportunity with the use of helicopters to transport victims to emergency facilities (Fig. 32-2). The emergency rescue team usually includes a nurse and a paramedic. It may also include a respiratory therapist.


image
FIGURE 32-2 The helicopter is used in emergencies to transport victims.

The minimum requirement for flight nursing includes being a registered nurse with several years of critical care experience. Advanced certified life support (ACLS) and critical care certification (CCRN) are often required of the registered nurse. Most emergency rescue facilities provide clinical and classroom instruction covering the specific training relating to flight and air rescue. Flight paramedics are also required to hold ACLS certification and have prior field experience. National Registry Paramedic Certification and previous flight experience are preferred in most employment opportunities. Flight respiratory therapists must be certified and have critical care experience. It is preferred that candidates for flight rescue be registered respiratory therapists.


On arrival at the hospital, the victim is admitted by the emergency personnel. Treatment is continued by emergency nurses and physicians who specialize in emergency and trauma care. Emergency medicine was recognized as a board-certified specialty for physicians in 1979.



image Brain Byte


A 2005 patient survey found the average emergency department wait time to be 3.7 hours, with the lowest average in Iowa (2.3 hours) and the highest average in Arizona (5.0 hours).



Health Careers in Practice



image


EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN


MEDICAL CENTER HOSPITAL, ODESSA, TEXAS








Content Instruction


Emergency Procedures


First aid is the immediate care given to the victim of injury or sudden illness. The purpose of first aid is to sustain life and prevent death. It includes the prevention of permanent disability and the reduction of time needed for recovery. First aid provides basic life support and maintenance of vital functions.


Certification in first aid is awarded by several accredited agencies, including the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association (AHA). Content of the Red Cross course includes basic first aid for injuries, illness, and CPR procedures.



image Brain Byte


In Seattle, where CPR training is common and EMS response is short, the survival rate for witnessed cardiac arrest is about 30%.


Basic first-aid training includes prevention, assessment, and treatment of illness and injury. Triage is the term used for setting priorities for care of the victim or victims. First-aid training teaches treatment of wounds, poisoning, burns, shock, fractures, temperature alterations, illness caused by medical conditions, and other injuries.



Emergency Assessment and Treatment


The first-aid rescuer assesses the scene of injury or illness to determine the necessary action (Table 32-2). The first priority of the rescuer is to remove the victim from any immediate danger (Fig. 32-3). The level of consciousness of the victim is the second consideration. The EMS system is activated at the earliest moment, and then hands-on CPR is started. In most areas of the United States, the 9-1-1 emergency number may be used to summon help. When reporting an incident, the rescuer states the location, his or her name, the number of victims involved, and the nature of the incident. The rescuer waits for the EMS to disconnect the phone first. Because the rescuer may be visiting in the victim’s home, all homeowners should place their name and address on each phone.



image
FIGURE 32-3 If the victim of an emergency must be moved, triage determines the correct method. A, The two-man carry. B, The two-man assistance. C, The one-man transfer.

Related posts:

  1. Environmental Careers
  2. Biotechnology Research and Development Careers
  3. Medical Careers
  4. Wellness, Growth, and Development

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by in MEDICAL ASSISSTANT | Comments Off on Emergency Health Careers

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access