Well Being of the nursing community .ppt

1. Temple College EMS
Professions
1
The Well-Being of the
EMT-B

2. Temple College EMS Professions 2
• List possible emotional reactions that an
EMT-B may experience.
• Discuss reactions that family members may
experience when confronted with death and
dying.
• State the steps in approaching a family that
is confronting death and dying.
Objectives 1 of 3

3. Temple College EMS Professions 3
• State the possible reactions the family of an
EMT-B may exhibit.
• Recognize signs and symptoms of critical
incident stress.
• State steps to help alleviate stress.
• Explain the need to determine scene safety.
Objectives 2 of 3

4. Temple College EMS Professions 4
• Discuss the importance of BSI.
• Describe the steps of personal protection
from airborne and bloodborne pathogens.
• List personal protective equipment
necessary for various situations.
Objectives 3 of 3

5. Temple College EMS Professions 5
The Well-Being of the EMT
• Personal health, safety, and well-being are
vital to an EMS operation.
• You must learn to recognize and protect
yourself from hazards.
• You must cope with mental and physical
stress.

6. Temple College EMS Professions 6
Self-control is achieved by:
• Proper training
• Ongoing experience
• Dedication to serving others

7. Temple College EMS Professions 7
Death and Dying 1 of 2
• Changes in society have changed people’s
attitudes toward death.
– Life expectancy has increased.
– Family mobility may mean less support for
grieving people.
– Death no longer commonly occurs at home, but
occurs in a hospital or at an accident site such as
the highway instead.
– Dead loved ones are now kept at a funeral home
instead of at home, so people are less used to dead
bodies.

8. Temple College EMS Professions 8
Death and Dying 2 of 2
• Death is something you will have to face.
• Coming to grips with death is part of
delivering care.

9. Temple College EMS Professions 9
Physical Signs of Death
• Absence of circulatory and respiratory
function
• If the body is still warm, initiate care.
• If hypothermia is present, initiate care.

10. Temple College EMS Professions 10
Presumptive Signs of Death 1 of 2
• Unresponsive to painful stimuli
• Lack of pulse
• Absence of breath sounds
• Absence of eye movement
• No blood pressure

11. Temple College EMS Professions 11
Presumptive Signs of Death 2 of 2
• Dependant lividity
• Profound cyanosis
• Decreased body temperature

12. Temple College EMS Professions 12
Definitive Signs of Death
• Obvious mortal injury
• Rigor mortis
• Putrefaction (decomposition of body)

13. Temple College EMS Professions 13
Medical Examiner Cases
• DOA
• Unknown cause of
death
• Suicide
• Violent death
• Poisoning
• Accidents
• Criminal act
Keep notes of any care provided.

14. Temple College EMS Professions 14
Grieving Process
1. Denial: Refusal to accept
2. Anger: Blaming others
3. Bargaining: Promise to change
4. Depression: Open expression of grief
5. Acceptance: The simple “yes”

15. Temple College EMS Professions 15
What can an EMT-B do?
• Do helpful things.
• Make simple suggestions.
• Be yourself and sincere.

16. Temple College EMS Professions 16
Dealing with Family Members
• Act in a calm manner.
• Show concern about privacy.
• Respect family’s wishes.
• Be honest.
• Don’t create false hope.

17. Temple College EMS Professions 17
Concerns of the Critically Injured
or Dying Patient
• Anxiety
• Pain and fear
• Anger and hostility
• Depression
• Dependency
• Guilt
• Mental health
problems
• Receiving unrelated
bad news

18. Temple College EMS Professions 18
Caring for the Critically Ill and
Injured Patients 1of 2
• Avoid sad and grim comments.
• Orient the patient.
• Be honest.

19. Temple College EMS Professions 19
Caring for the Critically Ill and
Injured Patients 2 of 2
• Acknowledge the seriousness of the
condition.
• Allow for hope.
• Locate and notify family members.

20. Temple College EMS Professions 20
Factors Affecting Patient
Reactions
• Socioeconomic
background
• Fear of medical personnel
• Alcohol/substance abuse
• Chronic diseases
• Mental disorders
• Medication
reactions
• Age
• Nutritional status
• Guilt feelings

21. Temple College EMS
Professions
21
Stress Warning Signs and
the Work Environment

22. Temple College EMS Professions 22
Physiological Manifestations of
Stress 1 of 2
• Rise in respirations and pulse
• Increase in blood pressure
• Cool, clammy skin
• Dilated pupils

23. Temple College EMS Professions 23
Physiological Manifestations of
Stress 2 of 2
• Tensed muscles
• Increase blood sugar levels
• Perspiration
• Decreased circulation to GI tract

24. Temple College EMS Professions 24
Critical Incidents
• Mass Casualty Incidents
• Traumatic injury or death of child
• MVA caused by EMS personnel
• Serious injury or death of coworker

25. Temple College EMS Professions 25
Critical Incident Stress
Management
• Developed in the 1980s
• Process designed to help EMS personnel
deal with responses to critical incidents
• Composed of trained peers and mental
health professionals

26. Temple College EMS Professions 26
Components of CISM System 1 of 2
• Pre-incident stress education
• On-scene peer support
• One-on-one support
• Disaster support services
• Defusings

27. Temple College EMS Professions 27
• CISD
• Follow-up services
• Spouse and family support
• Community outreach programs
• Other wellness programs
Components of CISM System 2 of 2

28. Temple College EMS Professions 28
Stress and Nutrition 1 of 3
• Prolonged stress drains the body’s reserves.
• Under stress, body’s fuel sources are
consumed in large quantities.
• Physical stress will deplete energy sources
quicker.

29. Temple College EMS Professions 29
Stress and Nutrition 2 of 3
• Glucose
– Quickest source of energy
– Taken from glycogen stored in liver
• Proteins
– Drawn from muscles
– Long-term source of glucose

30. Temple College EMS Professions 30
Stress and Nutrition 3 of 3
• Fats
– Used by tissues for energy
• Water
– Conserved by exchanging sodium & potassium
from kidneys
• Vitamins and minerals
– Vitamins B, C, and most minerals are depleted.

31. Temple College EMS Professions 31
Benefits of Exercise and Proper
Nutrition
• Muscles will grow and retain protein.
• Bones store calcium and become stronger.
• Well-balanced meals provide necessary
nutrients to body.