CONSENT & REFUSAL
A type of consent in which the patient gives you verbal authorization for provision of care or transport.
What is expressed consent
A definitive sign of death that may include: dismemberment at the waist or neck/decapitation
What is: Obvious Mortal Damage
A definitive sign of death when blood settles to the lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin.
What is dependent lividity
Requirements for a DNR to be valid (Hint: there are 4 of them)
What is:
Clear statement of patient’s medical problem
Signature of patient or legal guardian
Signature of physician or other licensed healthcare provider
Expiration date valid within 12 months
Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.
What is Therapeutic communication
A type of consent in which the patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment if they are unconscious or incapable of requesting assistance themselves
What is implied consent
A definitive sign of death that occurs sometime between 2 and 12 hours after death and is seen in the stiffening of the body muscles
What is rigor mortis
Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient's consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another health care professional with skills at the same level or higher.
What is abandonment
A competent adult appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision-making capacity.
What is durable power of attorney for health care
What should you do when someone wants to refuse treatment or transport, but you think they are having a medical emergency:
What is:
Identify if they are a competent adult capable of making an informed decision regarding their care (not confused, delusional, or suicidal)
Encourage them again to allow treatment.
Inform pt of the risks of refusing treatment up to and including potential death or disability
Contact Medical Control to make them aware of the situation
Ask pt to sign a refusal of care form (AMA)
A definitive sign of death that depending on the temperature conditions, this occurs sometime between 40 and 96 hours after death includes decomposition of the body tissues
What is: Putrefacation
To be protected by the Good Samaritan Laws you must meet these conditions: (Hint: there are 4)
What is:
Act in good faith
Render care w/o expectation of compensation
Acted w/in your scope of practice
You did not act in a grossly negligent manner
Written protocols that allow EMS providers to perform patient care before or without establishing radio contact with a base hospital that have been signed by EMS system's medical director.
What is Standing orders
What are the 4 components of Negligence (state & define)
What is: Duty (EMT obligation to provide care consistent with the standard of care), Breach of Duty (EMT does not act/ doesn’t act within the standard of care), Damages (patient is physically or psychologically harmed), Causation (cause and effect relationship b/w breach of duty and damages done)
Written documentation giving permission to medical personnel not to attempt in the event of cardiac arrest.
What is DNR