A Long Way To Go, And A Short Time To Get There
In rural EMS, the “platinum ten” and “golden hour” are concepts that can seem like fantasies. As a rural EMS provider, you always know you’ve got a long way to go, and a short time to get there. Most times there’s plenty to do! But what exactly are you doing during that time? What principles guide your care on those long transports? Do you care differently for a critical patient vs. a stable patient? What do you do when “there’s nothing left to do”? This session talks about the fulfilling nature of EMS systems where long transports are the norm, and their unique challenges in providing care. We’ll also talk about how current EMT curriculum ignores this issue, and how to train to be most effective in this environment. Intended for First Responders, EMT’s, and Paramedics.
Objectives:
- Identify the challenges/rewards in rural EMS when it comes to long distance transports.
- Discuss how to maximize the time spent en route.
- Identify some training techniques for this unique set of EMT skills.