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.
Not long ago there were few mobile teams available to deal with remote emergencies. As late as the 1960s, only a few states had even established written standards detailing this type of care, and before digital technology many ambulances did not even have mobile radio links. Personnel received standard Red Cross certification, but most had very little actual formal medical instruction.
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.
Today, the same front lines are manned by two different levels of personnel. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are considered to be entry level workers, and comprise the largest group of responders. Training for this position is extensive and comprehensive, and they are often the first to arrive at the scene. Both basic and intermediate level EMT technicians, however, are prevented from taking certain actions.
An actual paramedic performs similar functions, but without as many restrictions. They are not considered doctors, but have been formally trained in anatomy, physiology, and cardiology, and are knowledgeable in the latest techniques for resuscitating and saving the lives of people having heart attacks. They routinely administer intravenous solutions, know how to clear air pathways, and can inject medications.
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.
This next-level training provides a critical missing link in medical services, and it also creates a much-needed career path for paramedics. Many leave emergency services for non-field hospital work because there is no way progress further in that particular arena. Advanced training not only improves the state of current emergency field medicine, but it also helps to retain the best and brightest workers.
Not long ago there were few mobile teams available to deal with remote emergencies. As late as the 1960s, only a few states had even established written standards detailing this type of care, and before digital technology many ambulances did not even have mobile radio links. Personnel received standard Red Cross certification, but most had very little actual formal medical instruction.
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.
Today, the same front lines are manned by two different levels of personnel. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are considered to be entry level workers, and comprise the largest group of responders. Training for this position is extensive and comprehensive, and they are often the first to arrive at the scene. Both basic and intermediate level EMT technicians, however, are prevented from taking certain actions.
An actual paramedic performs similar functions, but without as many restrictions. They are not considered doctors, but have been formally trained in anatomy, physiology, and cardiology, and are knowledgeable in the latest techniques for resuscitating and saving the lives of people having heart attacks. They routinely administer intravenous solutions, know how to clear air pathways, and can inject medications.
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.
This next-level training provides a critical missing link in medical services, and it also creates a much-needed career path for paramedics. Many leave emergency services for non-field hospital work because there is no way progress further in that particular arena. Advanced training not only improves the state of current emergency field medicine, but it also helps to retain the best and brightest workers.
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