Ambulance Operations & Driving Skills - Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing key terms, definitions, regulations, response codes, vehicle designs, and driver responsibilities covered in ESRV 104 Ambulance Operations.

Ambulance

A conveyance used or intended to be used for the transportation of persons who have suffered trauma or acute illness endangering life, limb, or function, or judged by a health care provider to be unstable and requiring a stretcher and medical care during transport.

Type I Ambulance

An ambulance design consisting of a conventional truck-cab chassis with a modular ambulance body that can be transferred as needed.

Type II Ambulance

An ambulance design consisting of a standard van modified for ambulance use, featuring an open concept between the driver compartment and patient compartment.

Type III Ambulance

A specialty van ambulance design featuring a modular patient compartment with access to the driver compartment.

Rapid Response Unit

An innovative unit operated by a single paramedic that is mobile roaming, self-dispatches, and carries most ambulance equipment, but does not transport patients to the hospital.

Multi-patient Unit

A converted bus operated by one dedicated driver that can carry multiple patients, mount stretchers, and transport ambulatory patients with paramedics traveling alongside.

Off-road Ambulance

A modified utility vehicle designed to access difficult-to-reach patients, primarily acting as an extrication vehicle with limited seating capacity.

Ultra-terrain Ambulance

A specialized tracked vehicle requiring region-specific training to operate, used primarily to extricate patients across extreme off-road terrain.

Helicopter Ambulance

An air ambulance used to transfer critically ill patients to definitive care facilities and provide response to remote locations.

Fixed Wing Ambulance

An air ambulance aircraft used for long-distance medevac patient transports, operating faster than helicopters.

Demerit Point Restriction (Ambulance Act)

Under Ambulance Act Reg. 257/00 Sec. 6(1)(c), an EMA or paramedic must not have received 6 or more demerit points under the Highway Traffic Act during the year immediately prior to employment.

Driver's License Requirement (Ambulance Act)

Paramedics must hold an F-class driver's license and maintain a valid driver's license during the 2 years immediately prior to employment and throughout employment.

Criminal Code Driving Prohibition Rule

An EMA or paramedic must not have been prohibited under the Criminal Code (Canada) from driving a motor vehicle at any time during the 3 years prior to employment or during employment.

CPR Certification Requirement

Paramedics must be certified in CPR to the Basic Rescuer level or ACLS level at employment start and every 12 months thereafter.

Code 4

An urgent emergency call requiring immediate response for a patient whose life, limb, or function is threatened and time is crucial.

Code 3

A prompt emergency call that may be responded to with moderate delay for a stable patient who is under professional care and not in immediate danger.

Code 2

A non-emergency scheduled call that must occur at a specific time due to limited availability of special treatment or diagnostic facilities.

Code 1

A non-emergency deferrable call that may be delayed without being physically detrimental to the patient.

Code 5

An emergency call response code for an obviously dead patient who meets BLS Standards for a futile resuscitation.

Code 6

A response code designating the transport of a deceased patient without active resuscitation efforts.

Code 8

A standby assignment to maintain equal distribution of available ambulances across a region in anticipation of calls.

Code 9

A status indicating that a vehicle or crew is out of service due to maintenance or unavailability.

Code 7

A general response code indicating that no patient was transported by the responding unit.

Code 71

A Code 7 subcode indicating that no patient was found at the scene.

Code 72

A Code 7 subcode indicating that the patient refused care or transportation.

Code 73

A Code 7 subcode indicating that the patient was deceased at the scene.

Code 74

A Code 7 subcode indicating that the patient was in police custody.

Code 75

A Code 7 subcode indicating that the patient was transported by another ambulance.

Due Regard

The legal standard of care and responsibility required of an ambulance driver while operating an emergency vehicle under special legal exemptions.

Highway Traffic Act Exemptions for Ambulances

Legal exemptions allowing ambulance drivers to exceed speed limits, drive against traffic on one-way streets, disregard traffic control devices after stopping completely, park where necessary, and use communication devices while driving.