Terminal Illness Care Overview

Terminal illness defined as diseases expected to cause death within 6 months, verified by healthcare provider.
Common terminal conditions include cancer, heart failure, pulmonary disease, liver failure, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS.
Patients may decline invasive medical treatments, prioritizing comfort over aggressive interventions.
Transition from aggressive medical care to comfort or palliative care focuses on improving quality of life.
Analgesic medications, oxygen, IV fluids, fever treatments, and antibiotics are typical in treatment.
EMS mainly provides supportive care, emphasizing pain assessment and management as primary tasks.
Pain assessment techniques should be tailored to patient's age, communication ability, and cognitive function.
Advanced directives clarify medical decisions for incapacitated patients, allowing revocation by those with decision-making capacity.
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders specify withholding resuscitation efforts, potentially indicated by bracelets or wristbands.

Bariatrics addresses obesity, which contributes to various health issues including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.
Challenges in airway management due to larger anatomical structures and decreased respiratory reserve.
Proper positioning, such as ramped positioning, improves bag-mask ventilation effectiveness.
Peripheral IV access can be problematic due to obscured landmarks and altered absorption properties of medications.
EMS transport of bariatric patients may require additional assistance due to weight and size, impacting equipment usage.
Specialized equipment, including stretchers with winches and larger cuffs, can enhance care and safety in transporting these patients.

Communicable diseases are infectious and can be transferred between individuals through various modes.
Severity of these diseases can vary widely, necessitating strict adherence to safety precautions and protective equipment.
Patients may face significant psychosocial challenges, including stigma and discrimination based on lifestyle choices.
Respecting patient privacy is crucial in mitigating discrimination and enhancing care efforts.

Terminal illness is indicated when a patient is expected to die within 6 months, a determination made by a healthcare provider.
Common terminal conditions include cancer, heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, liver failure, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Patients often prefer comfort care over aggressive medical treatments, leading to a shift towards palliative care which focuses on improving overall quality of life.
Typical treatments in terminal care may include analgesics, oxygen therapy, intravenous fluids, fever management, and, when appropriate, antibiotics.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) focus on supportive care, prioritizing pain assessment and management as their primary responsibilities.
Pain assessment must be customized based on the patient's age, ability to communicate, and cognitive function to ensure effective management.
Advanced directives are important legal documents that communicate medical decisions for patients who cannot do so themselves and can be revoked by decision-makers with capacity.
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders are specific instructions to forgo resuscitation efforts, which may be indicated through bracelets or wristbands worn by patients.

Bariatric care focuses on obesity, which is linked to several health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
Airway management can be particularly difficult due to larger body structures and a reduced respiratory reserve in bariatric patients.
Utilizing effective positioning, such as ramped positioning, enhances the success of bag-mask ventilation during emergency situations.
Establishing peripheral IV access can be challenging due to obscured landmarks and altered pharmacokinetics in larger patients.
EMS transport of bariatric patients may necessitate additional resources or personnel to manage the weight and size, which can affect the equipment used during transport.
Specialized equipment, including stretchers equipped with winches and larger cuffs, are essential to enhance the safety and quality of care for bariatric patients during transfer.

Communicable diseases are infectious diseases that can spread between individuals through various transmission modes, including contact, droplets, and vectors.
The severity of communicable diseases can differ significantly, necessitating strict adherence to safety protocols and protective gear by healthcare providers.
Patients with communicable diseases often confront severe psychosocial issues, such as stigma and discrimination related to their conditions or lifestyle choices.
Ensuring patient privacy is vital to combat discrimination and improve the overall quality of care provided to individuals with communicable diseases.