Paramedic Survival Guide - 1st Edition
Visit the link below to download the full version of this book:
https://medipdf.com/product/paramedic-survival-guide-1st-edition/
Click Download Now
NOTICE
Medicine is an ever-changing science. As new research and clinical
experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug
therapy are required. The author and the publisher of this work
have checked with sources believed to be reliable in their efforts to
provide information that is complete and generally in accord with
the standards accepted at the time of publication. However, in view
of the possibility of human error or changes in medical sciences,
neither the author nor the publisher nor any other party who has
been involved in the preparation or publication of this work
warrants that the information contained herein is in every respect
accurate or complete, and they disclaim all responsibility for any
errors or omissions or for the results obtained from use of the
information contained in this work. Readers are encouraged to
confirm the information contained herein with other sources. For
example and in particular, readers are advised to check the product
information sheet included in the package of each drug they plan to
administer to be certain that the information contained in this work
is accurate and that changes have not been made in the
recommended dose or in the contraindications for administration.
This recommendation is of particular importance in connection
with new or infrequently used drugs.
Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights
reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of
1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any
form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
ISBN: 978-0-07-177007-1
MHID: 0-07-177007-0
The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title:
ISBN: 978-0-07-176929-7, MHID 0-07-176929-3.
All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a
trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use
names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark
owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such
designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps.
McGraw-Hill eBooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as
premiums and sales promotions, or for use in corporate training programs.
To contact a representative please e-mail us at bulksales@mcgraw-
hill.com.
TERMS OF USE
This is a copyrighted work and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
(“McGraw-Hill”) and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work.
Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under the
Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the
work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce,
modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute,
disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without
McGraw-Hill’s prior consent. You may use the work for your own
noncommercial and personal use; any other use of the work is strictly
prohibited. Your right to use the work may be terminated if you fail to
comply with these terms.
THE WORK IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” McGRAW-HILL AND ITS
LICENSORS MAKE NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES AS TO
THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF OR
RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USING THE WORK,
INCLUDING ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE ACCESSED
THROUGH THE WORK VIA HYPERLINK OR OTHERWISE, AND
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
McGraw-Hill and its licensors do not warrant or guarantee that the
functions contained in the work will meet your requirements or that its
operation will be uninterrupted or error free. Neither McGraw-Hill nor its
licensors shall be liable to you or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error or
omission, regardless of cause, in the work or for any damages resulting
therefrom. McGraw-Hill has no responsibility for the content of any
information accessed through the work. Under no circumstances shall
McGraw-Hill and/or its licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental,
special, punitive, consequential or similar damages that result from the use
of or inability to use the work, even if any of them has been advised of the
possibility of such damages. This limitation of liability shall apply to any
claim or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract,
tort or otherwise.
To my family
(Sue, Gabby, Jack, Mom and Dad DiPrima, and Sparling).
Thank you for believing in me.
Please do not ever doubt my dedication and love for you.
CONTENTS
Contributors
Reviewers
Preface
Acknowledgments
EMT Oath
Code of Ethics
Introduction
Chapter 1 Evolution of the Emergency Medical Services and the
Making of “Paramedicine”
Chapter 2 Your Role in the Healthcare System as an EMS Provider
Chapter 3 Career Opportunities in EMS: Now You’re a Paramedic!
Chapter 4 Getting the Job You Want
Chapter 5 Taking the Classroom to the Streets!
Chapter 6 Patient Safety
Chapter 7 Scene Safety
Chapter 8 A Day in the Life of a Paramedic
Chapter 9 One-Year Anniversary
Chapter 10 What’s Next for Paramedics?
Appendix A. State EMS Agencies
Appendix B. Federally Sponsored EMS Programs and Federal Agencies
Appendix C. EMS Associations
Appendix D. Resources Related to EMS
Appendix E. Mental Health and Treatment Programs
References
Index
CONTRIBUTORS
Louis Brand, BS, NREMT-P
Port Jefferson EMS
Setauket Fire and Rescue
Setauket, New York
Thomas E. Hoar III, BA, EMT-P
Port Jefferson EMS
Brentwood EMS
Setauket Fire and Rescue
Setauket New York
Daniel E. Meisels, MPA, EMT-P, CHEP
Director, EMS Program
University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center
Worcester, Massachusetts
Faculty, Center for Excellence in Emergency Preparedness Education
(CEEPET)
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts
EMT-Paramedic
New York-Presbyterian Hospital EMS
New York, New York
Christopher VanHouten, EMT-P
New York-Presbyterian Hospital EMS
New York, New York
REVIEWERS
Angel Aviles
Paramedic Student
New Haven Sponsor Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut
Class of 2012
Joe Bart, DO, EMT-P/T
Department of Emergency Medicine
The State University of New York
Buffalo, New York
James F. Goss, MHA, MICP
Assistant Professor
Loma Linda University
School of Allied Health Professions
Emergency Medical Care Program
Loma Linda, California
Scott C. Jones, MBA, EMT-P
Associate Professor
Paramedic Academy
Victor Valley College
Victorville, California
Brian Kern, MD, EMT
Department of Emergency Medicine
Detroit Receiving Hospital
Detroit Medical Center
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
Richard A. Nydam, EMT-P
Training Coordinator
University of Massachusetts Memorial
Healthcare
Worcester EMS
Worcester, Massachusetts;
Adjunct Faculty, Clinical Coordinator
Quinsigamond Community College
Paramedic Training Program
Worcester, Massachusetts
David Pecoraro, BS, EMT-P
New Haven Sponsor Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut
Brittany Selvaggi
Paramedic Student
New Haven Sponsor Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut
Class of 2011
Jorge D. Yarzebski, BA, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Office of Continuing Education
University of Massachusetts Memorial
Healthcare
Worcester EMS
Worcester, Massachusetts
PREFACE
Despite rigorous medical education and training, are new paramedics
equipped to handle all situations they may face? Over the course of our
careers as emergency medical technicians and paramedics, we will
encounter a remarkable number of scenarios not covered by formal
education and training. Some are common and others are unusual. Some
are life threatening and others are not. However, all are important and
potentially challenging. Whenever the scenarios occur, people assume that
you can and will be able to handle them just because you are or will be a
paramedic!
Throughout the chapters of this book, I hope to fill some of the gaps in
education and training, as well as help you with the who, what, where, and
when of getting your career started. Paramedics typically have a driving
need to feel knowledgeable and in control, even if their insides are spinning
out of control. This book provides valuable tidbits of information that
others around you may not know or have gained only through years of
experience. Having such knowledge is empowering and fulfilling and will
help you become a confident, respected, and important source of
information and experience to others. Medicine, or more specifically
paramedicine, is an ever-growing and changing field of science. It is
sometimes difficult to represent text that is completely current upon
publication. There are many ways to perform different skills and
assessments that sometimes require the paramedic to think outside the box.
So dive in and take your knowledge to another level. I hope you enjoy the
book.
Experientia docet—Experience is the best teacher!
Peter A. DiPrima, Jr,
EMT-Paramedic/CIC
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my past and present
supervisors (Jack Delaney, Mike Timo, and Dr. Scott Coyne) and
instructors whom I have been gratefully blessed to work with; you have
made me believe that I have so much strength and courage to persevere.
You were tolerant and determined to see me through. You were great
motivators and I aspire to emulate you.
Finally, I would like to thank all of my colleagues who assisted,
encouraged, and contributed to this book.
—PAD
EMT OATH
Be it pledged as an Emergency Medical Technician, I will honor the
physical and judicial laws of God and man.
I will follow that regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I
consider for the benefit of patients and abstain from whatever is deleterious
and mischievous, nor shall I suggest any such counsel.
Into whatever homes I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of only the
sick and injured, never revealing what I see or hear in the lives of men
unless required by law.
I shall also share my medical knowledge with those who may benefit from
what I have learned.
I will serve unselfishly and continuously in order to help make a better
world for all mankind.
While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to
enjoy life, and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times.
Should I trespass or violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot.
So help me God.
Written by: Charles Gillespie, MD
Adopted by the National Association of EMTs
http://www.naemt.org
CODE OF ETHICS
Professional status as an Emergency Medical Technician and Emergency
Medical Technician-Paramedic is maintained and enriched by the
willingness of the individual practitioner to accept and fulfill obligations to
society, other medical professionals, and the profession of Emergency
Medical Technician. As an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic, I
solemnly pledge myself to the following code of professional ethics:
A fundamental responsibility of the Emergency Medical Technician is to
conserve life, to alleviate suffering, to promote health, to do no harm, and
to encourage the quality and equal availability of emergency medical care.
The Emergency Medical Technician provides services based on human
need, with respect for human dignity, unrestricted by consideration of
nationality, race creed, color, or status.
The Emergency Medical Technician does not use professional knowledge
and skills in any enterprise detrimental to the public well being.
The Emergency Medical Technician respects and holds in confidence all
information of a confidential nature obtained in the course of professional
work unless required by law to divulge such information.
The Emergency Medical Technician, as a citizen, understands and upholds
the law and performs the duties of citizenship; as a professional, the
Emergency Medical Technician has the never-ending responsibility to work
with concerned citizens and other health care professionals in promoting a
high standard of emergency medical care to all people.
The Emergency Medical Technician shall maintain professional
competence and demonstrate concern for the competence of other members
of the Emergency Medical Services health care team.
