Emergency care

EMTs provide a systematic assessment of patients and have the capacity to stabilize and resuscitate when needed and appropriate, according to the capabilities of the EMT.

Each EMT systemically assesses and treats their patients. If a patient needs a higher level of care, the teams stabilize and refer the patient to a facility that can provide adequate care. While teams might be experiencing scenarios in which resuscitations might become necessary, the decision to provide this procedure needs to be adapted to the context. Clear protocols need to be in place to ensure that in case of patient resuscitation safe transport and adequate onward treatment is guaranteed.

EMTs can ensure basic resuscitation and stabilization

• Basic life support for adults, neonates and children, without endotracheal intubation.
• Provide initial treatment including naso- or oro-pharyngeal airway, Bag-Valve-Mask Ventilation, provide oxygen, IV access/fluid, basic haemostatic measures, basic prevention of hypothermia.

Type 2 and 3

• Provide advanced airway management (endotracheal intubation and surgical airway) with capnography.
• Provide oxygen (up to 10 L/min) to multiple patients simultaneously with advanced resuscitation measures as emergency surgery.
• Blood transfusion (see chapter fluid resuscitation)

Type 3

• Provide mechanical ventilation in an intensive care setting as considered appropriate to the context within which the team is working.
• Accept referrals from other facilities for specialized (further) treatment.

Type 1 Fixed

• Laryngeal mask or endotracheal intubation, in which case basic capnography is needed.