Safety at the Medical or Rescue Emergency

6-1

Chapter 6

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the hazards faced by responders at emergency medical or rescue incidents.

• Explain methods of minimizing and preventing injuries associated with hazards found at emergency medical incidents.

• List various requirements and uses of commonly used personal protective equipment.

Cont. 6-2

Learning Objectives

• Explain the requirements for infection control.• Discuss procedures that can be used to meet the

requirements of infection control.• Discuss the systems used for scene accountability

and incident management.

6-3

Introduction

• This chapter focuses on the type of incidents that most responders face most of the time

• Not uncommon to find rural, suburban, and urban departments involved in EMS

• EMS safety is a critical and integral part of any department’s safety and health program

• Information presented in the chapter relates to Life Safety Initiatives 11 and 12

6-4

Hazards Faced by Responders

• General hazards for all EMS incidents– Four phases

1. Gaining access

2. Approach and first

contact with the patient

3. Providing care

4. Packaging and

placement in unit

Cont. 6-5

Hazards Faced by Responders

• Vehicle accidents• Incidents on roadways• General safety

principles

6-6

Infection Control

• 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic• Must understand

– Dose– Virulence– Host resistance– Route of exposure– Means of transmission

6-7

Personal Protective Equipment

• EMS PPE vs. Firefighting PPE• Body substance isolation (BSI)• The right PPE for the task• Universal precautions

6-8

PPE Matrix

6-9

Incident Management Systems

• Senior EMS responder assumes many of the roles in the command staff

• One common factor is the Incident Safety Officer• Components• Elements at EMS incidents

– IMS structure– Accountability

6-10

PPE

6-11

Example Expanded EMS IMS

6-12

Summary

• EMS emergencies comprise the highest percentage of incidents

• Hazards are increased by uncertainties and need to interact closely with patients

• Anticipate hazards of vehicle incidents with training• Utilize law enforcement• Infection control is important• Engineering, education, and PPE are three

requirements essential to the safety program 6-13