EMS Ethical and Legal Considerations
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Questions and Answers

Considering principles of public health and EMS involvement, which action demonstrates the MOST proactive approach to community health?

  • Collaborating with local hospitals to improve trauma care protocols and reduce mortality rates.
  • Implementing a community-based car seat safety program and providing education on proper installation. (correct)
  • Administering vaccinations during a disease outbreak to control the spread of infection.
  • Responding to emergency calls related to motor vehicle accidents and providing on-scene care.

An EMS team is called to assist a patient with a terminal illness whose morphine pump has malfunctioned. Beyond addressing the immediate equipment issue, what broader, integrated care approach would be MOST beneficial?

  • Collaborating with a local hospice organization to provide comprehensive palliative care and support. (correct)
  • Contacting law enforcement to secure the medication and prevent potential misuse.
  • Consulting with the patient's primary care physician to adjust the medication dosage.
  • Arranging for immediate transport to the nearest emergency department for pump replacement.

An EMT is treating a patient suspected of having tuberculosis (TB) and wears a surgical mask, is this adequate protection? Why or why not?

  • Yes, as long as the patient also wears a surgical mask, the risk of transmission is minimal.
  • No, TB is an airborne disease, requiring an N95 respirator for adequate protection (correct)
  • Yes, a surgical mask is sufficient protection against TB transmission.
  • No, TB is transmitted through direct contact, requiring gloves and gown.

An EMS provider is asked to develop a wellness initiative for the service. Which of the following represents the MOST comprehensive approach to promoting long-term provider well-being?

<p>Creating a peer support network and incorporating regular mental health check-ins. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After a particularly stressful call, an EMT feels overwhelmed and anxious. Which of the following stress management techniques involves reframing the situation to promote resilience?

<p>Acknowledging the difficulty of the situation but focusing on the positive impact made on the patient. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a research paper or abstract, where would you most likely find conclusive or dependable findings?

<p>Results or Conclusion (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor presents a significant challenge for EMS in conducting prehospital research?

<p>Stringent requirements and oversight by Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under which circumstance might an EMS provider ethically deviate from standard care protocols when treating a patient?

<p>When the patient is a Christian Scientist refusing medical treatment based on religious beliefs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action by an EMS provider is more likely to be categorized as a legal responsibility rather than an ethical one?

<p>Maintaining patient confidentiality and protecting sensitive information (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

EMS is dispatched to a bar for a man down. Witnesses say an intoxicated patron had a seizure and is now uncooperative, yelling, and kicking, refusing treatment despite attempts to calm him. Which action best protects the provider from a lawsuit for negligence if they decide to treat and transport?

<p>Preparing to transport the patient to the hospital under the assumption of implied consent due to his altered mental status. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept is best described as the rules or standards that govern the conduct of members of a particular profession?

<p>Ethics (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most crucial reason for EMS providers to actively engage in research?

<p>To prove that changes in procedures will lead to significant positive changes in patient outcomes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research is characterized by focusing on describing the current state of affairs in a particular area, rather than attempting to implement changes or discover new interventions?

<p>Descriptive studies (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Car Seat Program

A public health initiative where EMS personnel educate and assist in the proper installation and use of car seats.

Measles Transmission

Infection spread through the air.

BSI Importance

Practices to minimize exposure to hazards.

Manage Stress: Reframe

Reframing, a stress management technique can help change your perspective on stressful situations, making them seem less overwhelming and more manageable.

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Safe Sharps Handling

Proper disposal into designated containers reduces accidental sticks and spread of infection.

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Where to find conclusive findings?

Findings are most likely to be conclusive in the conference interval portion or research abstract.

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Challenge facing EMS research?

Institutional Review Boards (IRB) pose a challenge to prehospital EMS research due to ethical and logistical hurdles.

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Altering care standards?

A patient's religious beliefs, such as those of a Christian Scientist, may require you to alter your standard of care.

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Legal vs. ethical duty?

Keeping patient information confidential is primarily a legal responsibility for EMS providers.

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Protecting against negligence?

Preparing to transport the refusing patient with implied consent protects the provider from negligence lawsuits.

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What are ethics?

Ethics are the rules or standards governing the conduct of members of a profession.

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Why participate in research?

The most important reason for EMS providers to participate in research is to prove that changes in procedures will make a positive change.

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Reason to change treatment?

Multiple studies in various populations consistently showing a positive impact is the best reason to change treatment.

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Study Notes

  • Findings are conclusive or dependable in the confidence interval portion of research or abstract.

EMS Prehospital Research Challenges

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) presents a challenge to EMS in obtaining prehospital research.

Altering Standard of Care

  • A trauma patient who is a Christian Scientist may require altering the standard of care.
  • Keeping patient information confidential is more of a legal responsibility.

Scenario: Uncooperative Patient

  • Preparing to transport an uncooperative, intoxicated patient (post-seizure) to the hospital under implied consent protects the provider from negligence lawsuits.

Ethics Defined

  • Ethics are the rules or standards governing the conduct of members of a particular profession.

Treating Uncooperative Patients

  • Treat the patient as you would a loved one.

Importance of EMS Participation in Research

  • Proves that changes in procedures will make a positive change.

System Treatment Changes

  • Multiple studies in various populations consistently showing a positive impact.

Type of Research

  • Descriptive studies focus on the current state of affairs rather than trying to change anything or discover new interventions.

Public Health Practice Tactics

  • Proper hand washing, proper disposal of diapers, and proper cleaning of absorbents.

Scenario: Refusal of Treatment

  • An alert and oriented patient has the right to refuse treatment.

Importance of Data Collection

  • Collecting data on illnesses and injuries helps secure funding for prevention programs.

Scenario: Complex Patient Treatment

  • When medical control orders a treatment you disagree with due to patient complexities, the standard of "do no harm" supersedes all others.

Public Health Program

  • A car seat program.

Scenario: Assisting a Terminally Ill Patient

  • Contact hospice.

Personal Safety and Community Benefits

  • If exposed to a communicable disease, the provider becomes a carrier.

Exposure Qualification

  • Treating a TB patient with a surgical mask.

Measles Transmission

  • Airborne.

Wellness Programs

  • Participating.

Preventing Kidney Stones

  • Giving a class on hydration.

Smoking Cessation

  • Replacement therapy.

Driving Safety

  • Driving program.

Lifting Safety

  • Communication with partner during lifting.

Importance of Lifting Mechanics

  • Prevents injuries.

Biohazard Waste

  • Bloodied bandages.

Sharps Disposal

  • Sharps container.

Stress Management

  • Reframe.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk

  • Smoking.

Importance of BSI

  • Prevent exposure.

Main Goal of BSI

  • Reduce risk of exposure.

ET Tube PPE

  • Face shield.

Patient Coughing Blood PPE

  • Eye protection, mask, gloves.

Safe Handling of Sharps

  • Put away immediately.

Communicable Disease Prevention

  • Diapers hand wash.

Wellness Program

  • Participate.

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Description

Explore ethical and legal challenges in EMS, including IRB hurdles, altering care for Christian Scientists, and handling uncooperative patients. Understand legal vs. ethical responsibilities and the importance of research in proving positive changes in procedures. Ethics covers conduct standards for professionals.

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