1. 911 has been called…. NOW WHAT???

2. What happens when you call 911— The call goes to your local police or dispatch centerThe call goes to your local police or dispatch center At this point they will also being asking questions and giving instructions to you At this point they will also being asking questions and giving instructions to you They then dispatch the Emergency Medical Services that you will requireThey then dispatch the Emergency Medical Services that you will require

3. The Questions you may be asked.. Is the patient alert?Is the patient alert? Is the patient breathing normally?Is the patient breathing normally? What does the patient look like?What does the patient look like? What is the patient doing?What is the patient doing? Can the patient respond to you, follow commands or answer questions?Can the patient respond to you, follow commands or answer questions? How is the patient acting?How is the patient acting?

4. The Questions you may be asked… If the patient is acting unusually, what is different?If the patient is acting unusually, what is different? Is the patient speaking full sentences? Does their speech sound normal?Is the patient speaking full sentences? Does their speech sound normal? Is the patient complaining of pain? Where is the pain?Is the patient complaining of pain? Where is the pain? Does the patient have a headache?Does the patient have a headache? Has the patient had any recent injury or trauma?Has the patient had any recent injury or trauma? What medical history does the patient have?What medical history does the patient have? Has the patient had a stroke before?Has the patient had a stroke before?

5. The instructions you may receive… Keep the patient calmKeep the patient calm Don’t allow the patient to move aroundDon’t allow the patient to move around If unconscious or having difficulty breathing, keep neck straight and remove any pillowsIf unconscious or having difficulty breathing, keep neck straight and remove any pillows Nothing by mouth, no eating or drinkingNothing by mouth, no eating or drinking Gather patient’s medication, if anyGather patient’s medication, if any If the patient’s condition changes, please call 911 backIf the patient’s condition changes, please call 911 back

6. Who is coming to your call… Depending on your community you may have the police respond to your call or you may have your fire department respond or bothDepending on your community you may have the police respond to your call or you may have your fire department respond or both The ambulance from your town. On the ambulance there will be a minimum of two Emergency Medical TechniciansThe ambulance from your town. On the ambulance there will be a minimum of two Emergency Medical Technicians The Paramedics from the local hospital will also be respondingThe Paramedics from the local hospital will also be responding

7. Why so many people? The local ambulance provides the EMT’s that provide Basic Life Support (BLS) and mode of transportation to the hospital. The number of EMT’s vary by squad.The local ambulance provides the EMT’s that provide Basic Life Support (BLS) and mode of transportation to the hospital. The number of EMT’s vary by squad. The Paramedics provide Advanced Life Support (ALS). Essentially they bring the Emergency Room to you. There will always be two Paramedics responding.The Paramedics provide Advanced Life Support (ALS). Essentially they bring the Emergency Room to you. There will always be two Paramedics responding. The Police or Fire Department may respond due to the fact that many ambulances in our area are staffed by volunteers that respond from home or work. The Police or Fire Department respond to start treatment and provide oxygen if needed.The Police or Fire Department may respond due to the fact that many ambulances in our area are staffed by volunteers that respond from home or work. The Police or Fire Department respond to start treatment and provide oxygen if needed.

8. What is the difference between BLS and ALS? BLS—Basic Life Support—Are the people you see on the ambulance. They are trained to handle medical emergencies on a basic level. They are trained to handle everything from a broken finger to a heart attack. They will provide oxygen, check your vital signs, gather your information in regards to medical history, medications and allergies. They will also provide transportation to the hospital.BLS—Basic Life Support—Are the people you see on the ambulance. They are trained to handle medical emergencies on a basic level. They are trained to handle everything from a broken finger to a heart attack. They will provide oxygen, check your vital signs, gather your information in regards to medical history, medications and allergies. They will also provide transportation to the hospital.

9. What is the difference between BLS and ALS? ALS—Advanced Life Support—These are the people you see in the truck behind the ambulance. They come from your local hospital and provide services for several towns. They are trained in Advanced Life Support and can handle everything the BLS does and more. They have the capability to start IV’s, due EKG’s, and provide necessary medications. They will obtain the same information as BLS. They will also contact the emergency room physician to give inform them about your condition and receive orders for starting the necessary treatment.ALS—Advanced Life Support—These are the people you see in the truck behind the ambulance. They come from your local hospital and provide services for several towns. They are trained in Advanced Life Support and can handle everything the BLS does and more. They have the capability to start IV’s, due EKG’s, and provide necessary medications. They will obtain the same information as BLS. They will also contact the emergency room physician to give inform them about your condition and receive orders for starting the necessary treatment.

10. Now that everyone is here, what happens next? If oxygen has not be applied yet, it will be. It may be in the form of a mask or tubing that will be near your nose.If oxygen has not be applied yet, it will be. It may be in the form of a mask or tubing that will be near your nose. Your vital signs will be taken. Someone will check your pulse, your blood pressure and your respirations.Your vital signs will be taken. Someone will check your pulse, your blood pressure and your respirations. Either you or your family member or both will be asked about what happened.Either you or your family member or both will be asked about what happened.

11. Now that everyone is here, what happens next? You will questioned about if your are having any pain, numbness, shortness of breath, or any other symptoms you may be feeling.You will questioned about if your are having any pain, numbness, shortness of breath, or any other symptoms you may be feeling. You will be asked to perform some simple movements. We have a scale that we need to follow to help figure out what is wrong.You will be asked to perform some simple movements. We have a scale that we need to follow to help figure out what is wrong. It is called the Cincinnati Stroke Scale.It is called the Cincinnati Stroke Scale. You will be asked to smile, close your eyes and raise your arms, and repeat the statement “you can’t teach a old dog new tricks”You will be asked to smile, close your eyes and raise your arms, and repeat the statement “you can’t teach a old dog new tricks”

12. Now that everyone is here, what happens next? The paramedics will be putting their EKG monitor on to check your heart rate and rhythm.The paramedics will be putting their EKG monitor on to check your heart rate and rhythm. If it is determined that you are experiencing a stroke, you will encouraged to go to a State certified stroke center.If it is determined that you are experiencing a stroke, you will encouraged to go to a State certified stroke center. Overlook and Morristown are the two certified stroke centers in our area.Overlook and Morristown are the two certified stroke centers in our area. No one from the EMS can force you to go anywhere, they can only suggest. You have the right to chose which hospital you will go to.No one from the EMS can force you to go anywhere, they can only suggest. You have the right to chose which hospital you will go to.

13. It is a stroke, now what do we do? If it is determinded that you are having a stroke, we will encourage you to go to a Stroke center.If it is determinded that you are having a stroke, we will encourage you to go to a Stroke center. The Paramedics will continue to monitor your heart rate and rhythm and respirations and oxygen concentration.The Paramedics will continue to monitor your heart rate and rhythm and respirations and oxygen concentration. The Paramedics will also establish an IV line. This is started in case there are any medications needed to be given.The Paramedics will also establish an IV line. This is started in case there are any medications needed to be given. The Paramedics will also check your blood sugar, as low blood sugar can cause symptoms that mimic a stroke.The Paramedics will also check your blood sugar, as low blood sugar can cause symptoms that mimic a stroke.

14. It is a stroke, now what do we do? The treatment that the Paramedics will provide will be done while driving to the hospital.The treatment that the Paramedics will provide will be done while driving to the hospital. The Paramedics will also, if time allows, do a complete EKG to make sure nothing else is wrong.The Paramedics will also, if time allows, do a complete EKG to make sure nothing else is wrong. Upon arrival of the emergency room, one Paramedic will go in and start giving report to the Stroke team of what they found, what you or your family told them, and what treatment we gave.Upon arrival of the emergency room, one Paramedic will go in and start giving report to the Stroke team of what they found, what you or your family told them, and what treatment we gave.

15. EMS has delivered you safely to the hospital, what is next? Once report is given to the nurses and physicians of the Stroke team, EMS’s role is now completed.Once report is given to the nurses and physicians of the Stroke team, EMS’s role is now completed. At this time, BLS returns to their quarters to ready for the next call and the Paramedics complete their written report and then return to their quarters to ready for the next call.At this time, BLS returns to their quarters to ready for the next call and the Paramedics complete their written report and then return to their quarters to ready for the next call.