They are the first to respond in all types of emergencies. For many of us, they are faces that are forever burned into our memory. You never forget the face of the first person who arrived to help when your husband was stricken with a heart attack, or when your child was injured in an accident, or when your grandmother fell and broke her hip. These extraordinary individuals are emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. When they arrive, they not only provide life saving care but also hope and a shoulder to lean on when we need it most.
To recognize these extraordinary people, the week of May 20-26 has been designated as National Emergency Medical Services Week (EMS) Week. Sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians, the week is intended to recognize EMS personnel for the vital public service they provide, lifesaving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The emergency medical services team consists of emergency medical technicians (EMT), paramedics, firefighters, emergency physicians, emergency nurses, educators, administrators, police and others.
Basil Selden, M.D., Medical Director of the Tyrone Hospital emergency room said, “A variety of people play a role in making sure people get medical care in an emergency. All of these individuals fit into the broad picture of emergency medical services.”
Dr. Selden said EMS personnel have a level of training and skill that allows them to serve as surrogates in the field for the hospital’s emergency room (ER) staff.
“They establish radio contact with us when they are out in the field. They provide the first care that a patient receives, on the scene and on the way to the hospital. The information we receive from EMS personnel allows us to make necessary preparation to continue treatment when the patient arrives in the emergency room.”
Preparation may mean having certain staff or equipment on standby or making arrangements to have a patient transported to a trauma center or a tertiary care facility with a certain specialization such as pediatric trauma or burns. Tyrone Hospital provides a helicopter pad for those who require air emergency transport from the scene or from the hospital.
Nursing staff in the Tyrone Hospital emergency room said EMS personnel also play an important role in helping a patient transition to the ER.
“They not only help physically as far as transferring patients but also emotionally ,” said Linda Morrison, RN. “They provide a lot of emotional support and reassurance to patients and families on the way to the ER and once they arrive.”
It is helpful to be ready, in case of a medical emergency. People are advised to keep handy their medical history, a list of any allergies, a list of any medications they take – including over the counter medications, and the name and phone number of their family doctor.
Such information is of help to EMS personnel when they are administering care and in communication with the hospital emergency room.
“Access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury,” said Dr. Selden. “The contribution members of the EMS team makes in the community is invaluable.”
