For paramedic courses. This student-friendly, easy-to-understand five-volume series completely covers the 1998 DOT National Standard Curriculum.
Table of Contents
3. Geriatric Emergencies.
4. Abuse and Assault.
5. The Challenged Patient.
6. Acute Interventions for the Chronic-Care Patient.
7. Assessment-Based Management.
8. Ambulance Operations.
9. Medical Incident Command.
10. Rescue Awareness and Operations.
11. Hazardous Materials Incidents.
12. Crime Scene Awareness.
13. Rural EMS.
Preface EMS in the third millennium involves a great deal more than simply transporting a patient to the hospital. The modern paramedic has tremendous responsibilities, both on the scene and in the community. In Volume 5,Special Considerations/ Operations of Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice,we have detailed important specialized information required of paramedics in the modern EMS system. In addition to a detailed discussion of special patients, we have provided crucial information on scene safety and operations as well as assessment-based patient management. This text has been designed to serve as both an initial course textbook as well as a reference source for the practicing paramedic. In this final volume ofParamedic Care: Principles & Practice,we have addressed the last three divisions of the1998 U.S. DOT EMT-Paramedic National Standard Curriculum.These include: Special Considerations--This section presents the essential information on special patient populations encountered in prehospital care including neonates, children, the elderly, the challenged, as well as chronically-ill patients. Assessment-Based Management--The 1998 EMT Paramedic curriculum was developed based upon the concept of assessment-based management. This division serves to tie together the various divisions of the curriculum previously presented (i.e., medical, trauma, and special patients) so that the paramedic can provide the necessary care based upon assessment findings. Operations--Modern EMS is very comprehensive. The paramedic must have detailed knowledge of hazardous material scenes, rescue scenes, multiple casualty incidents, disasters, and other emergencies. This division provides essential information about these important aspects of prehospital care. EMS is unique among the allied health professions. The modern paramedic, although functioning under the license and direction of the system medical director, is forced to make most patient care decisions in the field independently. Because of this, the modern paramedic must have a thorough knowledge of essential anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the common emergencies encountered. Based on this knowledge, the paramedic must complete a detailed, yet focused patient assessment and determine the appropriate treatment plan. Although help is never more than a phone call or radio call away, the paramedic functions fairly autonomously in a dangerous environment that is constantly changing. Chapters in this volume correspond to theU.S. DOT 1998 EMT-Paramedic: National Standard Curriculum.The following are short descriptions of each chapter: Chapter 1 "Neonatology"introduces the paramedic student to the specialized world of neonatology. The neonate is a child less than one month of age. These patients have very different problems and their treatment must be modified to accommodate their size and anatomy. This chapter presents a detailed discussion of neonatology with a special emphasis on neonatal resuscitation in the field setting. Chapter 2 "Pediatrics"presents a detailed discussion of pediatric emergencies. Children are not "small adults." They have special needs and must be approached and treated in a fashion different from adults. This chapter provides an overview of the common, and uncommon, pediatric emergencies encountered in prehospital care with a special emphasis on recognition and treatment. Specialized pediatric assessment techniques and emergency procedures are presented in detail. Chapter 3 "Geriatric Emergencies"is a detailed presentation of emergencies involving the elderly. The elderly are the fastest growing aspect of our society. A significant number of EMS calls involve elderly patients. This chapter reviews the anatomy and physiology of aging. The chapter then presents a detailed discussion of the a