In most urban areas, citizens pay little attention to the background din of sirens until they need help personally. Emergencies occur at any hour, and people feel more secure knowing that trained medical technicians will arrive quickly, administer aid, and provide safe transport to the hospital. The technicians providing this service not only save lives, but also illustrate the need for advanced practice paramedic training and services.
In the not-very-distant past there were no actual teams dealing with field emergencies. Less than fifty years ago, only a handful of states actually had written descriptions of the standards and practices for this kind of care, and prior to cell phones many ambulances did not even enjoy basic communications. Response personnel usually had certification from the Red Cross, but little formal medical training.
During that period auto accidents killed more people than wars, and the need for advanced field treatment specialists with advanced emergency training became obvious. By the 1970s funding was established, and the current network of services had begun to coalesce. The goal was was to respond quickly to a crisis, providing care both at that location and in an ambulance en route to an emergency room.
Modern services usually include two categories of emergency workers. The most common are EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), who perform all basic duties, but are considered entry level positions. Even so, their formal training is extensive and comprehensive, specifically designed for those first to arrive on scene. These technicians are allowed to treat patients for basic problems, but cannot administer shots.
Administering medication via needle is one of those restrictions, and must be performed by a paramedic. Paramedics are not considered doctors, but do receive additional instruction in anatomy, physiology, and cardiology, as well as keeping current on the latest methods of resuscitating and sustaining heart attack victims. They know how to clear air pathways, inject drugs, and connect intravenous solutions.
The current emergency system is light years ahead of the old, but is still retains the same structure. There is a genuine need for another level of expertise in the field, and extending the training and capabilities of paramedics is considered a logical next step. The concept was actually conceived many years ago, but was dropped for various reasons, including political and hierarchical concerns.
Additional training can actually prevent emergencies from happening. Paramedics that have undergone advanced instruction are now making house calls intended to inform and instruct patients, as well as monitor and control conditions like diabetes, asthma, or chronic heart failure, all of which can result in a crisis. This not only cuts down on immediate critical care needs, but frees personnel for other duties.
Additional training would help fill the gaps that currently exist in emergency services, and opens the door for job advancement. Many valuable paramedics have abandoned field care in favor of in-hospital positions because they want to further their medical careers. Making these improvements will not only help patients, but will also help keep the most talented workers where they are crucially needed.
In the not-very-distant past there were no actual teams dealing with field emergencies. Less than fifty years ago, only a handful of states actually had written descriptions of the standards and practices for this kind of care, and prior to cell phones many ambulances did not even enjoy basic communications. Response personnel usually had certification from the Red Cross, but little formal medical training.
During that period auto accidents killed more people than wars, and the need for advanced field treatment specialists with advanced emergency training became obvious. By the 1970s funding was established, and the current network of services had begun to coalesce. The goal was was to respond quickly to a crisis, providing care both at that location and in an ambulance en route to an emergency room.
Modern services usually include two categories of emergency workers. The most common are EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians), who perform all basic duties, but are considered entry level positions. Even so, their formal training is extensive and comprehensive, specifically designed for those first to arrive on scene. These technicians are allowed to treat patients for basic problems, but cannot administer shots.
Administering medication via needle is one of those restrictions, and must be performed by a paramedic. Paramedics are not considered doctors, but do receive additional instruction in anatomy, physiology, and cardiology, as well as keeping current on the latest methods of resuscitating and sustaining heart attack victims. They know how to clear air pathways, inject drugs, and connect intravenous solutions.
The current emergency system is light years ahead of the old, but is still retains the same structure. There is a genuine need for another level of expertise in the field, and extending the training and capabilities of paramedics is considered a logical next step. The concept was actually conceived many years ago, but was dropped for various reasons, including political and hierarchical concerns.
Additional training can actually prevent emergencies from happening. Paramedics that have undergone advanced instruction are now making house calls intended to inform and instruct patients, as well as monitor and control conditions like diabetes, asthma, or chronic heart failure, all of which can result in a crisis. This not only cuts down on immediate critical care needs, but frees personnel for other duties.
Additional training would help fill the gaps that currently exist in emergency services, and opens the door for job advancement. Many valuable paramedics have abandoned field care in favor of in-hospital positions because they want to further their medical careers. Making these improvements will not only help patients, but will also help keep the most talented workers where they are crucially needed.
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