Emergency Medical Services and Procedures in Medical Offices

EMS AND THE MEDICAL OFFICE

Training and Certification

• Medical staff must be trained in emergency procedures and maintain CPR, AED, and first aid certification.
• Certifications should be obtained from reputable providers like the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.
• Typically, recertification occurs every 1-3 years.

Emergency Role of Medical Assistants

• Perform CPR, AED, and Heimlich maneuver.
• Apply bandages and control bleeding.
• Immobilize head, neck, and limbs.
• Call EMS for advanced care and hospital transport.

Good Samaritan Laws

• Protect individuals who assist victims in emergencies.
• Healthcare professionals must act within their training scope.
• Laws do not cover grossly negligent actions.

Emergency Equipment: Crash Carts

• Crash carts contain supplies for general and specific medical emergencies:
  • Oxygen tanks, airways, Ambu bags, resuscitation masks.
  • IV supplies: IV fluids (D5W, NS, D10W, Ringer's Lactate), butterflies, Angiocaths, tourniquets.
  • Additional: hemostats, iodine, alcohol preps, IV tubing, emergency drugs, blood pressure cuff, gauze, bandages, sterile gloves, needles, lubricant, pen light, batteries, hot/cold packs.

Emergency Drugs

• Commonly stored emergency drugs include:
  • Activated charcoal, Atropine, Diphenhydramine, Epinephrine, Furosemide, Instant glucose, Insulin, Lidocaine, Local anesthetics, Nitroglycerin, Normal saline, Phenobarbital, Diazepam, Sodium bicarbonate, Solu-Cortef™, Spirits of ammonia, Syrup of ipecac, Verapamil.