Chapter 2 Medical Responsibilities

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 2 Overview  Roles and Responsibilities  Professional Attributes  Training  Code of Ethics  Current Affairs in EMS  Continuous Quality Improvement  Medical Direction

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 3  Job Description –The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the governing body that has described career requirements Roles and Responsibilities

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 4  Procedural Duties –Clean, well-stocked ambulance –Appropriate training –Continuing education Roles and Responsibilities

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 5 Roles and Responsibilities  Patient Care Duties –Be prepared for a wide range of situations –Assessment and provision of appropriate medical care

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 6 Roles and Responsibilities  Personal Safety –Your safety is the most important element of patient care! –You must always be aware of the surroundings –When in doubt safety first

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 7 Roles and Responsibilities  Bystander Safety –It is your responsibility to assure that the bystanders are not harmed –For the most part, bystanders want to help –Use law enforcement if need be for bystander control

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 8 Roles and Responsibilities  Crew Safety –It is each crew member’s responsibility to take care of each other –Keep each other from harm’s way

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 9 Professional Attributes  Appearance –Neatly kept uniform –Name tag –Shined boots –A smile is a great form of care

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 10 Professional Attributes  Skill Maintenance –When you finish your initial training, you have only begun your education –You will need to sharpen your craft –A part of ongoing education will be an ongoing skills testing process

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 11 Professional Attributes  Physical Preparedness –You will often be lifting weight in excess of 200 pounds –There are many physical training programs that can be tailored to EMS

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 12 Professional Attributes  Personality Traits –Kindness –Compassion –Public servant –A willingness to help others

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 13 Training  Certification and Licensure –Standardized examinations –You can practice only when you receive your state approved certification

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 14 Training  Continuing Education – Professional Development –You will be required to keep your skills updated –Expand your knowledge base

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 15 Training  Refresher Training – Competency Assurance –A review of the basic elements –Usually every 2 to 3 years –A testing on basic knowledge and skills

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 16 Stop and Review  List some of the roles of the EMT.  List some of the responsibilities of the EMT.  What should be included in the EMT’s job description?

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 17 Code of Ethics  Respect and hold information in confidence  Understand and uphold the law  Maintain professional competence  Uphold standards of professional practice and education  Responsible for individual professional actions

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 18 Code of Ethics  Aware and participate in legislation  Keep the dignity of the profession  Protect the public  Work in harmony with the other allied health professionals  Refuse to participate in unethical procedures or conduct

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 19 Stop and Review  Define appropriate treatment of a patient.  How can inappropriate care be corrected?

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 20 Current Affairs in EMS  There are many journals and magazines that can help you keep current, as well as conferences

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 21 Continuous Quality Improvement  Quality Management Roles –Planning –Execution of the plan –Assessment of quality

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 22  Quality Improvement –Evaluating cost –Type of care –Research –Methods to improve patient care Continuous Quality Improvement

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 23 Medical Direction  Medical Director –Input on treatment –Safety and well-being of EMTs –Treatment protocols (procedure manual) –Training programs –Quality of care –Certification of EMTs

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 24 Medical Direction  Off-Line Medical Direction –Protocols –Standard of care –Quality review

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 25 Medical Direction  On-Line Medical Direction –Communication for care –Responsible for care being rendered –Gives you advice and orders

© 2005 by Thomson Delmar Learning,a part of The Thomson Corporation. All Rights Reserved 26 Stop and Review  Define quality care in EMS.  How can quality in EMS be improved?  Define medical direction.