EMS 1119 - Fundamentals of Emergency Medical Care

College of Health Sciences

Credit(s): 6
Contact Hours: 96
Effective Term Spring 2019 (555)

Requisites

Prerequisite possession of “American Heart Association Basic Life Support” level CPR card and
Admission to Emergency Medical Technician (Applied Technology Diploma without Financial Aid Eligibility) (EMT-ATD) and
Pre- or Co-requisite EMS 1119L and
Pre- or Co-requisite EMS 1411

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required in emergency medical care situations, and is taught in accordance with the latest National EMS Education Standards for the Emergency Medical Technician. Included is information concerning basic structure and function of body systems and recent state of the art procedures required of the emergency medical technician.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate the knowledge required for the roles and responsibilities of the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) by:
    1. understanding the history and function of the EMS system.
    2. recalling the specific statues and regulations for EMS in Florida.
    3. discussing the importance of the safety and well-being of the EMT, including dealing with death, patients’ families, and job stress.
    4. discussing medical, legal and ethical issues.
    5. identifying the anatomy and physiology of major body systems.
    6. describing body substance isolation (BSI) techniques, and precautions and policies regarding bloodborne pathogens.
    7. describing the process of obtaining baseline vital signs and SAMPLE history (Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, Events leading to EMS activation).
    8. discussing proper techniques of lifting and moving patients and the proper use and operation of all associated equipment.
  2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of basic airway management by:
    1. naming and labeling the major structures of the respiratory system on a diagram.
    2. listing the signs of adequate and inadequate breathing.
    3. describing the steps in performing the head-tilt chin-lift.
    4. relating mechanism of injury to opening the airway.
    5. describing the steps in performing the jaw thrust.
    6. describing the indications and techniques of suctioning the airway.
    7. describing how to artificially ventilate a patient with a pocket mask.
    8. describing the steps in performing the skill of artificially ventilating a patient with a bag-valve-mask while using the jaw thrust.
    9. listing the parts of a bag-valve-mask system.
    10. describing the steps in performing the skill of artificially ventilating a patient with a bag-valve-mask for one and two rescuers.
    11. describing the signs of adequate and inadequate artificial ventilation using the bag-valve-mask.
    12. describing the steps in artificially ventilating a patient with a flow restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device.
    13. listing the steps in performing the actions taken when providing mouth-to-mask and mouth-to-stoma artificial ventilation.
    14. describing how to measure and insert an oropharyngeal (oral) and nasopharyngeal airways.
    15. defining the components of an oxygen delivery system.
    16. identifying a nonrebreather face mask and state the oxygen flow requirements needed for its use.
    17. describing the indications for using a nasal cannula versus a nonrebreather face mask.
    18. identifying a nasal cannula and state the flow requirements needed for its use.
    19. explaining the rationale for basic life support artificial ventilation and airway protective skills taking priority over most other basic life support skills.
    20. explaining the rationale for providing adequate oxygenation through high inspired oxygen concentrations to patients who, in the past, may have received low concentrations.
    21. describing the techniques involved in setting up and assisting in endotracheal intubation.
    22. Describing the proper use of an automatic transport ventilator (ATV).
    23. describing proper setup, insertion, and placement verification of a supraglottic and esophageal airway device.
  3. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understanding required for general patient assessment by:
    1. discussing the proper steps of scene size-up, scene safety, and need for additional resources.
    2. discussing the proper steps of initial patient assessment.
    3. discussing the proper steps in performing the focused history and physical examination for both the medical and trauma patient.
    4. discussing the proper steps in performing the detailed physical exam and ongoing assessment.
  4. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of EMS and therapeutic communication and documentation by:
    1. listing the proper methods of initiating and terminating a radio call.
    2. stating the proper sequence for delivery of patient information.
    3. explaining the importance of effective communication of patient information in the verbal report.
    4. identifying the essential components of the verbal report.
    5. describing the attributes for increasing effectiveness and efficiency of verbal communications.
    6. stating legal aspects to consider in verbal communication.
    7. discussing the therapeutic communication skills including cultural awareness and knowledge of life span development that should be used to interact with the patient.
    8. discussing the communication skills that should be used to interact with the family, bystanders, and individuals from other agencies while providing patient care.
    9. listing the correct radio procedures in the following phases of a typical call: to the scene; at the scene; to the facility; at the facility; to the station; at the station.
    10. explaining the rationale for providing efficient and effective radio communications and patient reports.
    11. explaining the components of the written report and listing the information that should be included in the written report.
    12. identifying the various sections of the written report.
    13. describing what information is required in each section of the prehospital care report and how it should be entered.
    14. defining the special considerations concerning patient refusal.
    15. describing the legal implications associated with the written report.
    16. discussing all state and/or local record and reporting requirements.
    17. explaining the rationale for patient care documentation.
    18. explaining the rationale for the EMS system gathering data.
    19. explaining the rationale for using medical terminology correctly.
    20. explaining the rationale for using an accurate and synchronous clock so that information can be used in trending.
  5. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understanding required for medical, behavioral emergencies, obstetrics and gynecology by:
    1. identifying the medications used by the EMT and common medications found in the patient’s home.
    2. discussing the assessment and treatment of patients with respiratory and cardiac emergencies.
    3. discussing the assessment and treatment of patients with neurological emergencies.
    4. describing the assessment and treatment of patients with abdominal and gastrointestinal emergencies.
    5. discussing the assessment and treatment of patients with endocrine and psychiatric disorders.
    6. describing the assessment and treatment of patients with allergies and allergic reactions.
    7. describing the assessment and treatment of patients with poisonings and overdoses.
    8. describing the assessment and treatment of patients with environmental emergencies.
    9. describing the assessment and treatment of patients with behavioral emergencies.
    10. discussing the assessment and treatment of patients with obstetrical and gynecological emergencies.
  6. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understanding required for trauma management by:
    1. describing the types, causes, and treatment of bleeding and shock.
    2. describing the types of and treatment for soft tissue injuries.
    3. describing the assessment and treatment for musculoskeletal injuries.
    4. describing the assessment and treatment of injuries to the head and spine.
  7. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understanding required for the management of infants and children by:
    1. identifying the developmental considerations for the following age groups: infants, toddlers, pre-school, school age, and adolescent.
    2. describing differences in anatomy and physiology of the infant, child and adult patient.
    3. differentiating the response of the ill or injured infant or child (age specific) from that of an adult.
    4. indicating various causes of respiratory emergencies.
    5. differentiating between respiratory distress and respiratory failure.
    6. listing the steps in the management of foreign body airway obstruction.
    7. summarizing emergency medical care strategies for respiratory distress and respiratory failure.
    8. identifying the signs and symptoms of shock (hypoperfusion) in the infant and child patient.
    9. describing the methods of determining end organ perfusion in the infant and child patient.
    10. stating the usual cause of cardiac arrest in infants and children versus adults.
    11. listing the common causes of seizures in the infant and child patient.
    12. describing the management of seizures in the infant and child patient.
    13. listing the possible causes of infants prone to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
    14. describing the relationship between family members and the EMT following a SIDS case.
    15. recognizing the need for EMT debriefing following a SIDS case.
    16. differentiating between the injury patterns in adults, infants, and children.
    17. discussing the field management of the infant and child trauma patient.
    18. summarizing the indicators of possible child abuse and neglect.
    19. describing the medical legal responsibilities in suspected child abuse.
    20. recognizing the need for EMT debriefing following a difficult infant or child transport.
    21. explaining the rationale for having knowledge and skills appropriate for dealing with the infant and child patient.
    22. attending to the feelings of the family when dealing with an ill or injured infant or child.
    23. understanding the provider's own response (emotional) to caring for infants or children.
  8. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understanding required for EMS operations by:
    1. discussing the medical and non-medical equipment needed to respond to a call.
    2. listing the phases of an ambulance call.
    3. describing the general provisions of state laws relating to the operation of the ambulance and privileges in any or all of the following categories: speed, warning lights, sirens, right-of-way, parking, turning, and contributing factors to unsafe driving conditions.
    4. describing the considerations that should be given to intersections.
    5. discussing the legal concept of Due Regard For Safety of All Others while operating an emergency vehicle.
    6. summarizing the importance of preparing the unit for the next response.
    7. identifying what is essential for completion of a call.
    8. describing how to clean or disinfect items following patient care.
    9. explaining the rationale for having the unit prepared to respond.
  9. The student will demonstrate knowledge of medical-legal aspects and professional ethics that pertain to EMS by:
    1. being able to differentiate between the types of patient consent including expressed, implied and involuntary.
    2. describing the legal aspects of patient abandonment, negligence, false imprisonment, battery and refusals of care.
    3. discussing State and Federal law concerning advance directives, special reporting situations, scope of practice, immunity, and specific state laws including the Baker, Marchman and Emergency Examination and Treatment of Incapacitated Persons Act.
    4. differentiating between licensure and certification for EMS.
    5. discussing professional ethics and morals as they apply to EMS.
    6. defining civil tort and criminal actions as it applies to elements of negligence and defense/protections from liability for the EMT.
    7. discussing the importance of crime scene preservation for EMS.
  10. The student will demonstrate knowledge of medical research and public health aspects of EMS by:
    1. conducting scientific literature searches, read, interpret and apply the information from the research to a project.
    2. discussing the importance and implications for accurate data collection by EMS clinicians for research that leads to evidence-based pre-hospital practice.
    3. identifying the role EMS has within the public health field.
    4. discussing the importance of EMS involvement in illness and injury prevention efforts in the community served.
  11. The student will demonstrate the knowledge and understand required for the assessment and care of patients with special challenges by:
    1. describing the pathophysiology, assessment, documentation, reporting and care for patients suffering from abuse and/or neglect.
    2. discussing the approach for patients suffering from impairments/disabilities (e.g., hearing, vision, speech), developmental disability, chronic illness or spinal cord injury.
    3. listing common complications seen in home care patients including medical devices (e.g., ventilators, vascular access devices, indwelling catheters and monitoring devices).
    4. developing a treatment and management plan for an elderly psychiatric patient, including depression and suicide.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 80% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures in accordance with the latest National EMS Education Standards for the Emergency Medical Technician.

History of Changes

Revised 8/84 Revised 7/85 Revised 11/89 DBT 5/23/91 Effective Session 19912 SCN Change 9/30/91 DBT 11/19/91 Effective Session 19912 DBT 3/17/92 Effective 3/18/92. DBT 4/18/95, Effective Session 19951. C&I 1/25/05, BOT 3/21/05, Effective 20051(0355). C&I 3/25/08, BOT 5/16/08, Effective 20081(0400): 2008 3-year review. C&I 3/22/2011, BOT 10/2011, Effective 20112(0450). C&I Approval: 03/22/2011, BOT Approval: 10/01/2011, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450).
C&I Approval: 07/26/2018, BOT Approval: 09/18/2018, Effective Term: Spring 2019 (555)

Related Programs

  1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS-AS) (640) (Active)
  2. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-ATD) (520) (Active)
  3. Emergency Medical Technician (to EMS-AS) (EMT2IC-AR) (650) (Active)
  4. Emergency Medical Technician (to PSA-BAS) (EMTIC-AR) (650) (Active)
  5. Emergency Medical Technician ATD (to EMS-AS) (EMTSW-AR) (610) (Active)
  6. Emergency Medical Technician ATD (to GEN-AA) (EMT2SW-AR) (610) (Active)
  7. Emergency Medical Technician ATD (to PSA-BAS) (EMT3SW-AR) (610) (Active)
  8. EMT ATD Statewide Articulation (EMTATDS-AR) (610) (Draft)
  9. Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician - Combined Career Certificate (to EMS-AS) (FFEMTSW-AR) (645) (Active)