EMS Pub Ed program outline

EMS Public Education Program

Program length: 1 Hour

Program format:            Informal lecture, handouts, power point, question and answer

Target Group:               Teens-Adults

Preferred venue:           Public/private group meetings of 12 or more

Target Groups: Civic organizations, Houses of worship, Clubs

Program development timeline:

·        Review and approve course syllabus and curriculum.

·        Solicit interest among target groups & schedule presentations.

·        Collect feedback, analyze and refine program.

·        Develop interest list for additional/related programs.

Resources needed:

·        Room with chairs

·        Computer with projector and screen for ppt

·        Related program handouts

Course description:

            This is a one hour presentation provided by the  Fire department for the purpose of encouraging greater public understanding and support for the mission of their emergency medical services(EMS) system. The activities of the Fire Department in prevention, emergency and non-emergency responses, will affect nearly every citizen at some point in their lives. Most do not require direct services with any frequency however, all benefit from and observe our actions in their daily lives. This presentation seeks to inform the participant of the department’s goals, practices and activities, and solicit discussion and active participation in improving the quality of EMS within the city.

Course Outline:

·        Introduction

·        Audience experiences

·        Overview of current EMS response

o   Reaction to event

o   Call taking/Dispatch/Response

o   Treatment/Transport

·        The role of citizen participation

o   Preparation, recognition and reaction to EMS event

o   Pre-arrival treatment and preparation

o   Treatment/Transport

·        Potential gains with citizen involvement

o   Improved outcomes

o   Quicker/Appropriate response

o   Less friction between responders & family

o   Less time on-scene/More accurate information=Better treatment

·        Other available programs

o   Hands-only CPR

o   Basic first aid

o   SCAN

o   File of Life

o   CARE

o   Project Lifesaver

Presentation:    

Introduction

·        Introduce presenter (name, rank, position)

·        Introduce and thank host/host organization

·        Thank participants for their time and interest

Opening

·        Good morning/afternoon/evening,

·        My goal here today is to convey information to you about your EMS system.

·        I also hope provide you with some tools and ideas you can use in a medical emergency.

·        I hope to address any questions you have about the Fire Department's activities, as well as our practices and goals in our delivery of service.

·        I will inevitably use a term or expression you may not recognize. I apologize in advance, please stop me and I will gladly explain.

Exercise 1- show of hands……questions will be answered later

·        How many of you have been exposed to a emergency medical services call in the past 5 years?

·        How many of you had questions about the process?

·        How many are comfortable with their ability to react properly to a medical emergency.

·        How may are willing to participate in the preparation for and response to a medical emergency?

Here is the way our system currently operates

·        Keep in mind that this is a continually evolving process that is driven by the city budget, State and Federal regulation, ongoing research and the input of the public.

·        A medical emergency occurs

·        Someone calls 911

·        Dispatcher collects information, dispatches appropriate resources

o   Ambulance, ALS or BLS

o   Closest Engine company for ALS calls, accidents

o   EMS supervisor, as closest ALS or for complicated calls

o   ALS unit, co-responds with BLS ambulance for ALS calls

o   Squad truck, Battalion chief, helicopter, sky is the limit if needed

·        Personnel collect ringdown, find address on map

·        Apparatus rolls out the bay (goal is under 2 min. longer at night)

·        Apparatus arrives on scene (goal is 6min.)

·        Personnel and equipment arrive at patients side (8-10 min)

·        Patient is assessed,  treatment begins, patient is packaged for transport, personal health information, history and list of medications are obtained if possible (20 min. elapsed)

·        Patient is transported, treatment continues, hospital is contacted en route

·        Patient arrives at ER, turnover to RN (30 min.)

·        Ambulance is restocked, patient care report completed and left with hospital (1 hr.)

·        Ambulance returns to service

·        Did any part of that process surprise you?

Community preparation and reaction can have dramatic effect on the system’s performance

·        Preparation

o   Well marked address

o   Keeping list with Med Hx and medications in accessible location

o   Taking first aid and/or CPR class

o   Knowing what to expect (todays class)

·        Recognition of medical emergency

o   Check if unsure

o   Call sooner rather than later (stroke/chest pain)

o   Be sure of situation and location

o   Do not approach violent people

·        Reaction to a medical emergency

o   Call 911

o   Render aid and/or follow dispatcher instructions

o   Collect relevant medical information for EMS (Hx, Meds, ID etc)

o   Assist by clearing path to patient and removing obstacles

These critical actions will save lives and improve patient outcomes

·        Patient outcomes are directly linked to the time it takes to receive initial care and definitive care

·        Patient care can begin with the lay-rescuer, by following dispatcher instructions and/or attending CPR and first aid training.

·        Stroke/Heart attack/Cardiac arrest….all very time critical

·        Witnessed cardiac arrest……Brain death in 4 min. without bystander CPR most will die. Some communities have achieved survival rates of better than 40%

·        A quick and appropriate response by the public reduces miscommunication and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the EMS response.

·        Better understanding of the system leads to better communication during emergency

·        Better communication means more accurate information and better patient care

Resources available

·        Hands-only CPR classes

·        Basic first aid

·        SCAN program

·        File of Life program

·        CARE program

·        Project Lifesaver

Questions?