July 28, 2006 Lesson #1 EMS in Alberta

When I grow up, I want to be a Paramedic...a Critical Care Paramedic to be specific. But what do all these terms mean?
In Alberta it's of course different from the rest of Canada so we'll start there.
(courtesy of ALIS -Alberta Government)

EMR: Emergency Medical Responder
EMRs are the lowest tier of Alberta's three-tiered system of emergency medical services personnel

In general, EMRs may:

• assess the extent of injuries or illness to determine medical treatment
• comfort and reassure patients
• obtain the patient's medical history, if possible
• monitor vital signs
• administer pre-hospital emergency care including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen, bandaging, splinting, and assisting in childbirth and the treatment of trauma patients
• us a semi-automated or automatic external defibrillator or bag valve mask resuscitator
• use basic airway management techniques
• transport patients to hospital or other medical facilities for further care
• document and record the nature of injuries and treatment provided
• assist hospital personnell as required
• maintain ambulances, equipment and supplies

Emergency medical responders (and all other EMS classes) need the following characteristics:

• excellent oral and written communication skills
• strong leadership abilities
• sound decision-making skills
• a strong desire to help those in need
• the ability to remain firm, reassuring and efficient in moments of crisis
• the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

EMRs should enjoy compiling information to assess injuries and illness, having clear rules and organized methods for administering pre-hospital care and operating medical equipment.

EMT-A: Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance
EMT-As are the middle tier of Alberta's three-tiered system of emergency medical services personnel.

In general, EMT-As may:

• assess the extent of injuries or illness to determine medical treatment
  
• comfort and reassure patients
  
• obtain the patient's medical history if possible
  
• monitor vital signs
  
• administer pre-hospital emergency care such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen, bandaging, splinting and assisting in childbirth
  
• use spinal immobilization devices and traction splints
  
• maintain intravenous infusions without medications or blood products
  
• provide glucose testing and orally administer glucose when needed
  
• document and record the nature of injuries and treatment provided
  
• assist hospital personnel as required
  
• maintain ambulances, equipment and supplies.

Some EMT-As may also supervise and train staff members and students, and assist paramedics (where there are combined services).

EMT-As should have the same characteristics as EMRs.

EMT-P: Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
For simplicity, EMT-Ps are called paramedics throughout this profile. They are the top tier of Alberta's three-tiered system of emergency medical services personnel.

In general, paramedics:

• assess the extent of injuries or illness to determine medical treatment
  
• comfort and reassure patients
  
• obtain the patient's medical history if possible
  
• monitor vital signs
  
• administer standard pre-hospital emergency care such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), oxygen, bandaging, splinting, assisting in childbirth and immobilization of victims
  
• administer advanced pre-hospital emergency care including maintaining airways with intubation and surgical airways, administering drugs, providing manual cardiac defibrillation and external pacing, monitoring and maintaining blood and blood product transfusions, suturing minor soft tissue injuries, and urinary catheterization
  
• operate sophisticated equipment in advanced life-support ambulances, medevac aircraft or other advanced life-support environments
  
• document and record the nature of injuries and treatment provided
  
• assist hospital personnel as required
  
• maintain ambulances, equipment and supplies.

Paramedics need the following characteristics:

• manual dexterity
  
• excellent oral and written communication skills
  
• strong leadership abilities
  
• sound decision-making skills
  
• a strong desire to help those in need
  
• the ability to remain firm, reassuring and efficient in moments of crisis.

Paramedics should enjoy compiling information to assess injuries and illness, having clear rules and organized methods for administering pre-hospital care and operating medical equipment.