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Section 603.03
Medical Response
I. Scope:
This standard applies to incidents requiring the response of the department to assist an ambulance service to medical emergencies as first responders.
II. General:
A. The general guiding principal of the department is to do no harm. Therefore, members shall always render whatever treatment is necessary, appropriate and consistent with their level of training.
B. All patients shall be treated with care and respect regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, medical condition or ability to pay for the services provided.
C. Information regarding patient care, personal information and treatment shall be held in confidence and not revealed to persons outside of the department.
D. Clothing and personal property shall not be removed from the patient unless it interferes with proper treatment.
III. Safety:
A. Members responding shall wear appropriate PPE to prevent skin-to-skin contact with the patient and bodily functions.
B. Full protective clothing (PPE) shall be worn unless otherwise directed by the apparatus officer.
C. If further body substance isolation gear is required (gowns, facemasks, etc.), these items will be donned accordingly.
D. Rubber gloves and other protective devices shall be disposed of after being used and they shall not be reused. For multiple-casualty incidents, use a new pair of gloves for each patient.
E. Always operate under your scope of practice or training. Medical Control Guidelines must be followed (see Medical Control Guidelines Manual).
IV. Medical Assist:
A. Periodically, the ambulance service operating out of Vegreville, requires the Vegreville Fire Department to respond to their medical incidents to assist them with patient care. Assistance may consist of:
1. Performing CPR.
2. Patient lift-assist.
3. Additional manpower
4. Other forms of assistance.
B. When responding to assist the ambulance service, members must:
1. Work under the direction of the apparatus officer who in turn gets direction or works in conjunction with EMS personnel.
2. Wear all applicable body substance isolation devices required.
C. During the assistance, members may be asked to get medical supplies from the ambulance. Knowledge of their locations in the ambulance is crucial for this to be successful.
V. First Response:
A. Periodically the ambulance service operating out of Vegreville requires the Vegreville Fire Department to respond to a medical incident as First Responders. This is mostly due to high call volume for the ambulance service. The department may be required to be first responders for:
1. Respiratory emergencies.
2. Cardiac emergencies.
3. General malaise.
4. Other types of medical emergencies.
B. Each patient shall receive a thorough evaluation to determine his condition. Of immediate concern are:
1. Airway and respiratory maintenance.
2. Circulation.
3. Control of bleeding.
4. Stabilization of fractures.
C. The primary evaluation and stabilization shall be performed where the patient is found unless circumstances present an immediate threat to the patient or caregiver.
D. The department shall continue evaluation and reassess until the arrival of an ambulance. The department will not transport the patient to a hospital regardless of patient condition.
E. Once an ambulance has arrived, the lead patient caregiver shall give a report to the leading ambulance attendant. This verbal report may include:
1. Patient name
2. Patient’s chief complaint
3. Any treatment given by the department
4. Any changes to patient condition with treatment.
5. Vital signs if taken.
6. Any other conditions found during assessment.
7. Any other information that the ambulance attendant asks for.
F. Once the report has been given, patient care is transferred to the ambulance attendant. If further assistance is requested by the ambulance personnel it will be given, as per the above procedure (see Medical Assist).
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