Emergency medical services (EMS) providers are an invaluable part of the healthcare workforce as they can be relied on for quick response during accidents or cases of medical emergencies such as cardiac arrests, anaphylactic shock, seizures, and the like. Various services can fall under this umbrella, from standalone EMS service providers to hospital-based ambulance services. Still, what unites them is the goal of ensuring that the patient they are responding to is given the quick medical treatment that they need.

Another responsibility of EMS providers is creating patient care reports (PCR) about the patients involved in the emergencies they respond to. These are important records that note medical histories, vital signs, and interventions that were given during the response. With how many emergencies they attend to every day, providers need a full-featured EMS PCR software to efficiently keep track of all their records. This then makes it easy to pass on the report to hospital staff later on for the continued care of the patient.

EMS providers respond to various types of emergency care every day. Here are some of the most common ones they encounter on the field.

1. Respiratory Distress

Experiencing shortness of breath or any difficulty in breathing is not only distressing but can lead to other serious complications if not attended to. Hence, EMS workers are called first to assess the situation of the patient and offer relief from their respiratory distress, then the next step is to refer them to a medical facility that can provide them with the proper treatment.

Respiratory distress can either be primary or secondary. Primary means that the issue lies with the lung itself, whereas secondary means that there is something wrong with a different part of the body and the lung is merely compensating for it.

2. Loss of Consciousness

There can be various reasons for someone to suddenly collapse, ranging from simpler ones like a sudden drop in blood pressure, dehydration, standing up too quickly (orthostatic hypotension), extreme emotional distress, pain, or sudden fright. However, loss of consciousness can also be caused by more serious issues like seizures, stroke, cardiac conditions, hypoxia, and drug overdose. Either way, a quick response is needed to ensure the cause is found out right away. Loss of consciousness is especially critical for senior citizens, as their bodies are already sensitive to sudden changes in breathing or blood pressure.

3. Epileptic Seizures and Other Types of Seizures

A seizure can be characterized by uncontrollable jerking or twitching of the body. While those diagnosed with epilepsy are most likely to experience seizures, there are times when it can happen to someone without such a disease as well. Fainting and loss of bladder control may also occur during the seizure. EMS workers will usually assess the patient’s condition upon their arrival at the scene, checking if anything nearby might be triggering the seizure so it can be removed. With a thorough examination, they can then determine if the patient’s seizure can be treated right then or if they should be transported to a medical facility instead.

4. Stroke

A stroke is caused by the sudden cut of blood supply to the brain. Given how critical the condition is, time is truly of the essence to ensure the patient is brought to a medical facility for immediate treatment. EMS workers usually check for three signs to determine if the patient is suffering from a stroke: facial drooping, lack of arm control, and inability or slurred speech. If not treated properly, it can result in irreparable damage or even death so the help of EMS providers is truly vital in this emergency.

5. Major Injuries with Excessive Bleeding

Sudden accidents such as car crashes or physical threats such as gunshots or stab wounds can cause traumatic injuries. Patients can also go into shock due to excessive blood loss. EMS workers are expected to assess a patient’s condition right away and administer first aid, especially if there’s an open wound. Resuscitation might also be needed if the patient is experiencing shock trauma.

6. Cardiac Arrest

A cardiac arrest happens when the heart stops pumping effectively, resulting in lack of blood flow—and thus lack of oxygenation—in the body. While coronary artery disease is the most common cause of cardiac arrest, it can also be triggered by extreme blood loss, lack of oxygen, heart failure, and even intense physical activities. It is often accompanied by abnormal breathing, chest pain, and loss of consciousness. Defibrillation is a common intervention done by EMS workers when responding to cardiac arrest emergencies.

7. Severe Allergic Reactions

While most allergic reactions can be treated at home, there may be cases when a patient might go into anaphylactic shock. Among its symptoms include inflamed skin, constricted airways, vomiting, and fainting. A common treatment for this emergency is administering epinephrine to stabilize the symptoms, giving ample time to bring the patient to the hospital for more treatment.

In times of emergencies, you can rely on EMS providers to ensure that you or your loved ones can get the immediate treatment required. Their quick response and medical expertise have no doubt saved countless lives. So let us continue to celebrate our EMS workers and always be thankful for the services they offer to us.