Emergency medical services
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Administering the right medication in the right dose via the right route to the right patient is essential to quality patient care. Providers must be educated on all related policies and periodically reviewed. ⋯ EMS administrators, employers, providers and medical directors must work together to identify system problems and establish policies and procedures for efficient and effective prevention of medication errors. Until next time, be safe!.
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EMS providers should be familiar with and well practiced in a variety of available intubation techniques, so that when an airway problem occurs, it can be managed. However, with the rapid advancements in airway management technology, many EMS providers have not had an opportunity to use the equipment in real-patient situations. ⋯ Participating in specialized airway courses and workshops is an excellent means of introducing the manual skills required to implement airway devices, but practice on manikins does not accurately simulate "real" patient situations and therefore is often not directly applicable. EMS organizations and educational facilities must provide learning opportunities to implement new airway technologies and skills.
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These six questions may make it easier to guide your steps as critical minutes pass while treating your tachycardic patient. Ultimately, local protocols and the contents of your drug box may limit some of your choices, but good decisions can start the process. Adequate oxygenation, establishing IV lines and diagnosing specific rhythms are the first steps toward successful treatment of your next patient.