Key Themes in Operational Safety for Emergency Services

Situation Awareness

Three-stage process crucial for safety in emergencies.

Gathering Information

Perception of elements using five senses in context.

Interpreting Information

Understanding significance of gathered situational data.

Anticipating Future States

Projecting future status based on current comprehension.

Factors Affecting Situation Awareness

Elements that negatively impact awareness, like distractions.

Level of Concentration

Degree of focus affecting situation awareness quality.

Fatigue and Stress

Physical and mental states impairing decision-making ability.

Preoccupation with Other Problems

Distraction from primary tasks affecting situational awareness.

Distractions and Interruptions

External factors disrupting focus during critical tasks.

Stimulus Overload

Excessive information hindering effective decision-making.

Training for Situation Awareness

Practices to enhance awareness and operational readiness.

Familiarization with Equipment

Understanding tools to improve operational effectiveness.

Communication with Peers

Exchanging information to enhance situational understanding.

Practicing Multi-tasking

Training to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Operational Briefings

Meetings to review protocols and enhance readiness.

Decision Making

Process of assessing situations and choosing responses.

Assess the Situation

Identifying the problem based on risk and time.

Make a Decision

Generating options and selecting the best response.

Response Options

Possible actions considered during the decision-making process.

Reviewing Outcomes

Evaluating results post-decision to inform future actions.

Real-world Example

Incident illustrating failures in situation awareness.

Recognition-Primed Decision-Making

Relies on past experiences for quick decisions.

Rule-Based Decision-Making

Uses protocols and guidelines for timely actions.

Choice Decisions

Involves comparing alternatives for optimal solutions.

Creative Decisions

Invents new solutions for unfamiliar problems.

7 Rights of Medication Administration

Critical checks: patient, drug, dose, route, time, allergies, documentation.

Good Decision Skills

Involves gathering information and considering risks.

Poor Decision Skills

Includes failing to diagnose and not seeking information.

Two-Stage Decision Process

Involves situation assessment and action selection.

Influencing Factors in Decision Making

Includes stress, fatigue, and lack of knowledge.

Strengthening Decision-Making

Achieved through training, review, and communication.

One-Way Communication

Rapid, sender-controlled, lacks feedback from receiver.

Two-Way Communication

Allows checking details and fosters mutual understanding.

Active Listening Do's

Includes patience, questions, support, and eye contact.

Active Listening Don'ts

Avoid debating, interrupting, and tuning out.

Chronemics

Impact of time in non-verbal communication.

Kinesics

Body movement as a form of non-verbal communication.

Haptics

Touching behavior in communication contexts.

Vocalics

Voice characteristics affecting communication effectiveness.

Proxemics

Distance and spatial relationships in communication.

Written Communication

Includes protocols and documentation for clarity.

Mandatory OLMC Orders

Must be repeated back for confirmation.

Feedback in Communication

Essential to avoid misunderstandings and improve accuracy.

Non-verbal communication

Communication without spoken words, conveying messages through body language.

Active listening

Fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is said.

One-way communication

Information flows in one direction, limiting feedback opportunities.

Teamwork

Collaborative effort towards a common goal, essential in high-risk fields.

Supporting others

Providing assistance and encouragement within a team setting.

Solving conflicts

Addressing and resolving disagreements among team members.

Exchanging information

Sharing relevant data and insights among team members.

Coordinating activities

Organizing tasks to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness.

Coordination

Improved teamwork through organized collaboration versus isolation.

Performance monitoring

Evaluating team performance through audits and assessments.

Feedback

Information provided to team members about their performance.

Closed-loop communication

Ensuring message clarity through confirmation and debriefing.

Backing up behaviors

Willingness to assist teammates and accept help.

Team self-awareness

Prioritizing team goals over individual objectives.

Fostering interdependence

Individual achievements contributing to team success.

Teamwork Training

EMS-specific training involving simulations and constructive feedback.

Legal statement

Formal account of events, avoiding personal opinions.

Key components of a statement

Date, person, topic, narrative, conclusion.

Narrative of Events

Chronological account of incidents and actions taken.

Conclusion of a statement

Writer's name and signature, ensuring accountability.

Safety concepts

Principles to enhance safety in high-risk professions.

Situation awareness

Understanding the environment to make informed decisions.