Jersey Shore Hospital. 1020 Thompson Street • Jersey Shore, PA 17740-1794. (570) 398-0100


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		February Health Column I’ll bet you didn’t know that your care begins long before you ever see the inside of an Emergency Room… From life-threatening medical emergencies such as heart attacks and strokes, to a child who accidentally drank a poisonous liquid, to a serious fall, the necessary steps to control an emergency begin with the initial call to 911. After the call to 911, emergency personnel are dispatched and arrive on the scene in a MICU (Medical Intensive Care Unit) ambulance. These personnel work at an area Emergency Medical Services unit, commonly abbreviated as EMS. The EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) and Paramedics who staff the EMS units are trained to provide immediate assessment and initiate the care necessary to ensure that the patient is not experiencing a life threatening condition and/or to stabilize the patient for transport to the hospital. These personnel follow approved patient care protocols as necessary and contact the Medical Command Physician at the hospital emergency department via phone to report the patient condition and treatment. The medical command physician then provides the EMTs and Paramedic with additional instructions and patient care interventions, which may be initiated during transport to the emergency department. This communication between the ER physician and the pre-hospital staff ensures that the patient can be transported to their hospital of choice (in a non emergency situation) or to the closest facility (in an emergency situation) as safely and quickly as possible. It will be reassuring for you to know that the EMS response personnel are extensively trained to care for patients. The EMTs are trained in performing general patient assessment, providing emergency care in the form of bleeding control, spinal immobilization, oxygen administration, the use of the automated external defibrillator (AED), complex immobilization procedures, airway management, assisting patients in administering certain medications, and of course cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The Paramedic response personnel is trained in the same areas as an EMT, plus advanced patient assessment, airway management, intravenous fluid therapy, trauma management, pharmacology, cardiology and other pertinent medical skills. These highly trained individuals work hard to not only advance their education and training with new technology and skills but also are required to complete continuing education credits to maintain their certification in their field. EMTs and Paramedics are the “eyes and ears” of the Medical Command Physician. It is through their expertise and close communication with the ER Physicians that you are able to receive the comprehensive interventions you may need prior to arrival at the hospital, and your plan of care can be carried out seamlessly from the time you call 911 until your treatment is complete. It is also important to note that these same individuals also play a large role in coordinating your care when Air Ambulance (helicopter) transfer is needed. In some cases, a helicopter transfer is needed to provide a level of care that may be necessary but not available in our immediate area. Emergency providers take great pride in their ability to work together and maintain open communication so that the patient receives the best care possible. We are very fortunate to have highly trained and dedicated individuals who work hard 24/7 to provide and coordinate your emergency care with your local emergency department and other advanced emergency care providers. View the Hospital's articles archives here.