Emergency Medical Services Procedures

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to emergency medical procedures, patient handling, and safety protocols.

Disentanglement

The process of altering, removing, or resolving wreckage or debris from around a trapped patient so that medical care can be provided and the patient can be safely removed for transport.

Proper lifting techniques

Using power lift or squat lift technique that utilizes the legs, not the back, to lift patients safely.

Stages of extrication

Include scene size up, stabilization, gaining access, patient care, removal, and termination.

Code 3 response

A response to an emergency call with lights and sirens, typically used for life-threatening emergencies such as uncontrolled hemorrhage or respiratory ailments.

Patient positioning for comfort

Positioning a patient according to comfort, such as semi-Fowler's for chest pain or supine for spinal trauma without shock.

Triage

The main function involving the prioritization of care based on urgency, such as classifying full arrest as high priority and low priority for those with minor injuries.

Incident Command System (ICS)

An organized method used to handle several victims or incidents efficiently involving multiple agencies.

Basket stretchers

Used for rescue operations in difficult environments, such as mountains, mines, or collapsed buildings.

General safety procedures at an accident scene

Include assessing the scene and maintaining visibility, ensuring your safety first.

Radio procedures for major incidents

State necessary information en route to the scene, including your location and intended receiving facility.

Driving code 3

Involves checking for hazards, maintaining safe following distance, and looking left, right, and left again before entering intersections while driving with lights and sirens.

Backing the ambulance

Use a spotter outside the ambulance to assist when backing up.

Cleaning ambulance interior

Remove equipment, wash with bacteriostatic soap, and allow air drying before replacing equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses.

Rapid Extrication

A technique used when the patient must be moved out of the vehicle quickly due to immediate