WHAT TO EXPECT:
WHEN EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) RESPONDS
For most medical calls, Zeeland Charter Township Fire Department responds with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) from various locations in the township, as well as Rescue 671 from the Drenthe station and/or Rescue 672 from Beaverdam. It is most helpful if a person can wait outside for EMTs, in order to direct them to the correct location.
To a Motor Vehicle Accident
Of course, the most important thing is safety ... if you've been involved in or are at the scene of an accident, stay calm and stay out of traffic. Those who are or might be injured should generally stay put, and stay as still as possible, unless there is an immediate life-threatening situation such as a vehicle fire. One of the greatest concerns with patients in an accident is the possibility of a neck or spine injury, and keeping the injured still is the greatest defense against further possible injury. As a matter of fact, it's likely that when EMTs arrive on scene, the first steps they'll take will be to physically stabilize the injured. Patient treatment will generally begin before patient movement, and the EMTs are highly trained in the proper protocols for treatment and movement of patients.
To an Injury
Again, safety first. When EMS responds to an injury situation, medical protocols are carefully followed as relates to movement and treatment of the patient. General first-aid practices, as taught by the American Red Cross, can be very helpful in calming and treating an injured patient. Above all, bystanders should look to the safety of the scene for themselves, and for the patient.
To a Medical Emergency
When performing initial assessment and treatment of patients with medical problems, it's very helpful if patients or family members are able to assist with providing information to the EMTs. Some typical questions may include:
- Symptoms of the current medical problem
- Allergies, general or medical
- Medications that the patient regularly takes or has recently taken
- Past medical history for the patient, including recent hospital stays, diseases or conditions
- Last oral intake of food or beverage ... what, and how long ago
- Events leading up to the current situation
It's very helpful to keep a list of current medications, allergies, doctor information, and medical history easily accessible. This can greatly speed the correct treatment for the patient.
Other questions might include:
- Onset - what were you doing when the symptoms started ... was the onset sudden or gradual?
- Provocation - does anything you do make the symptoms better or worse in any way?
- Quality - how can you describe the pain or discomfort, is it sharp or dull, steady or variable, local or widespread?
- Radiation - does the pain / discomfort radiate to any other parts of your body?
- Severity - on a scale of 10, with 10 the worst ever, how severe is the pain now? When it began?
- Time - how long have the symptoms been present? Have you ever had them before?
The answers to these and other questions will assist the EMTs as they assess and treat the patient. Throughout this time, other assessments are generally being made, including taking vital signs and conducting medical examinations. Also during this time, certain treatments are likely to begin, including possibly the administration of oxygen, movement to a different position, and when ALS Paramedics arrive, the establishment of IV access and other treatments.
Above all, it's important to remember that early treatment is the best treatment ... don't ever feel 'embarassed to call' or 'what will the neighbors think', or 'I don't want to be any trouble' ... successful treatment of many serious conditions depends on the earliest possible intervention.