Vol assistance

maglite

While walking through a scenario a question popped up that I was't 100% sure on.


If a Vol ambulance crew are out on duty and come across something they are unsure of, but they can/should be able to handle. Is there a method by which they can ring Ambulance control to seek advice without the dispatch of an AS1 ambulance. The scenario got slightly more complicated when someone pointed out that there are dispatchers with no medical background. They same question would extend to a Pt, with say an eye injury do they go to the specialist hosp, or general A&E.


I know there are other options like out of hours Doc or ringing the hosp, but realistically they are not going to say "sure till be grand" they will CYA and say bring them in.

I've had a mix of experience but I'm just going to throw out the question to get an answer.

Leo Demidov

Speaking of one vol org i know, there are paramedics and nurses instructing volunteers. I'm aware of a couple of incidents where they were contacted by a crew to resolve differing opinions, advise on specific injuries etc.

The volunteers did and should know the answer but were often seeking confirmation. I think its a confidence thing that could be overcome by gaining practical ambulance experience as an observer once you reach the level of EFR. Logistically its not a realistic goal i suppose.

The other problem as i see it is that if a crew are having problems with a particular injury or scenario, theres a good chance that hospitalisation may be required. Assuming they are EFR not EMT then you are looking at calling in the cavalry.

sgt.bilko

If the voluntary ambulance crew are unsure of the situation and they have the contact number of Ambulance Control, then they should contact ambulance control to seek clarification on the matter.

Any time that I have contacted Ambulance Control, they are more than happy to let us transport the patient if the patients condition is stable and not life threatening.

Obviously with the roll out of voluntary ambulance EMT's, this will change.

maglite

sgt.bilko wrote: »

Obviously with the roll out of voluntary ambulance EMT's, this will change.

Why? EMT is not the be all and end all. It is a fairly basic course in the scheme of things.

Leo Demidov

Is EMT not the mininum standard required for patient transport? Maybe I'm wrong.

Regarding Ambulance control, theres no guarantee that they have medical training, no longer recruited from within ambulance service. Presumably they might have access to relevant info. Again I could be wrong here.

sgt.bilko

maglite wrote: »

Why? EMT is not the be all and end all. It is a fairly basic course in the scheme of things.

As it stands, which would you prefer to have treating a patient that requires ambulance transportation, EMT (or higher) or an EFR ?

That is the point that i'm trying to make. Ambulance control may be satisfied to allow a voluntary ambulance transport with an EFR on board but would prefer if an EMT (or higher) was on board.

that said, there are cases where HSE / DFB ambulances have been called to situations where their presence is not required (non AS1 calls) when a voluntary ambulance is on site.

maglite

This is not where i'm looking to go with this, even paramedics and Ap's can call out help. Just because you have a new funky accronim does not makle you any better when you are stumped or unsure.

sgt.bilko

maglite wrote: »

This is not where i'm looking to go with this, even paramedics and Ap's can call out help. Just because you have a new funky accronim does not makle you any better when you are stumped or unsure.

That's true. There has been occasions when on duty (not on ambo) with a newbie & I have had a gut feeling that something was wrong but couldn't fully diagnose and rang Ambulance Control. They usually sent out a Motorcycle Paramedic first.

better to err on the side of caution , nothing wrong with c.y.a !

emer tech

If a Vol ambulance crew are out on duty and come across something they are unsure of, but they can/should be able to handle. Is there a method by which they can ring Ambulance control to seek advice without the dispatch of an AS1 ambulance. .[/quote]


As an EMT in the voluntary ambulance, I would check CPG S if there was something i was nt sure of for a non serious patient...