Emergency Medical Services
Institution: Regions Hospital
Duration in Months: 1 month
Year of Training: EM1
Educational objectives:
The goal of this rotation is to develop in the resident the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the operation of a fully integrated functional EMS system. There are two different educational experiences for the residents in EMS: 1) a one month rotation performed with the goal of developing the skills necessary for the resident to be a base hospital physician and, 2) ongoing supervised experience in the ED during which time the resident will have the opportunity to demonstrate his/her knowledge and skills in EMS.
Description of clinical experiences:
1. All residents will rotate for one month on EMS during their PGY-1year.
2. All residents participate in the mandatory EMS orientation course presented at the start of the residency by the local EMS Program.
3. First hand observation of the EMS system is provided by 40 hours (five 8 hour shifts) of "Ride-along" with the paramedic units.
4. Residents will do 1 - 2 system ride-alongs (of variable lengths) with the Medical Director or their designee during the month rotation.
5. EMS guidelines and direction is discussed during tutorials with the Medical Director or his designee(s) during the EMS month.
6. During the EMS rotation, the resident will participate in the regulatory, advisory, and administrative committees that provide input to the Medical Director and EMS Program.
7. Residents are exposed to the CQI program by participating in a review of incident reports and run report sessions.
8. Residents on rotation will participate in Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) exercises as scheduled.
9. Residents review pre-arrival instructions and call prioritization by visiting the EMS Communication Center and Medical Resource Control Center (MRCC) (1 four hour session in each).
10. Residents review the role of the local air ambulance service with meetings with the air ambulance medical director.
11. Residents will be provided with a reading list that they must complete during the month.
12. Each resident is required to design an EMS system on paper prior to the end of the rotation.
13. Residents may participate in EMS research conducted by the program.
14. Residents will be involved in scene responses as directed by Medical Directors.
Description of didactic experiences:
Residents participate in the formal and informal teaching of the paramedics by skill testing, skill workshops, tape review, airway labs and other methods coordinated by EMS. Residents attend weekly emergency medicine conferences.
Evaluation process:
Residents receive a written summary evaluation that is completed by the EMS Director after the resident has completed the rotation. This evaluation is available for the resident to review and is part of the formal review that residents receive every six months.
Feedback mechanisms:
Immediate feedback will be provided as needed by staff on duty on the EMS Service. Any specific issues will be addressed in the written rotation evaluation.
