If you are considering EMT training, there are several important tasks and responsibilities that you need to know when treating a patient.
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In EMT training, an EMT needs to learn to assess whether the patient is sick or injured and to what degree.
An EMT quickly and efficiently assesses the medical needs of a sick or injured person, especially when the injury or sickness is life threatening and minutes can make a difference when saving a person’s life. The EMT must remain composed and draw upon his or her training and experience to make a determination. At the scene of a car crash where there may be multiple injuries, an EMT must decide who is in dire need and administer aid to save that person before helping others.
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An EMT needs to efficiently take a patient’s vital signs.
An EMT determines if a patient is conscious and can communicate and respond to physical stimulation. The EMT must also check for a patient’s ability to breathe and act swiftly to save them if breathing is weak or labored. The next step is to take a patient’s pulse to determine if the heart is still pumping blood properly through the veins. If there is no pulse, immediate action is needed to restart the heart beating. The EMT looks at the patient’s skin color (pale, flushed, jaundiced or bluish) and temperature (hot, cold or clammy) to make a medical assessment. The EMT checks a patient’s pupils to see if they are dilated or restricted and how well they respond to light. The EMT takes the blood pressure to determine if it is high or low and what measures need to be taken.
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Where possible, an EMT must take and assess the patient’s medical history by the following SAMPLE steps learned in EMT training.
S-Signs and Symptoms
A-Allergies
M-Medications
P-Pertinent past medical history
L-Last oral intake
E-Events leading to the injury or illness
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An EMT must determine how to properly move a patient.
One of the most important responsibilities of an EMT is to lift and carry a patient in a way that is safe. They must be careful to avoid injury for themselves. At least two people are required to lift and move a patient and to properly strap them to a stretcher. EMTs must work together to coordinate their movements and use proper lifting techniques.
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EMTs must remain composed in stressful situations.
An EMT must handle emotionally charged situations such as mass casualties, the death of a family member, and incidents where violence took place. It is important to realize the effects these stressful situations may have on an EMT’s mental state, and to take appropriate actions to get help if needed.
Medtrust Medical Transport provides emergent and non-emergent ambulance serviches. We support patients and their families in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Georgetown, South Carolina with expertly trained EMT personnel and a fleet of fully-equipped ambulances. Our goal is to provide compassionate and timely patient care.