IU-EMS - General Protocols

Note: All EMTs should be familiar with the ICE protocol (PDF). IU-EMS members cannot contact family

patients' emergency contacts, but can give the information to ambulance crews.

Shift Start

The following guidelines should be followed for the start of each of your shifts:

Arrive on time!

Sign in on the sign-in sheet in the shift binder.

Put on a clean maroon uniform shirt. Positions (EMT or First Aider) are indicated on the right chest.

Put at least one pair of appropriately sized gloves in one of your pockets.

EMTs must make sure they have a charged radio if they are supposed to have one for      that event.

An experienced EMT must go over equipment and procedures with any members who are working their first shift or event.



                     Uniform Shirts in Bike Shop                                    EMT Teaching First Aiders a Procedure

During Shift

The following guidelines should be followed during each of your shifts:

There must always be somebody with the IU-EMS equipment. If all IU-EMS members must be used for patient care elsewhere, ensure that an event staff member (i.e. Dance Marathon worker or IUSF member) or an IUPD officer stays with the equipment.

Never run to a patient unless they are in physical danger which does not present a danger to you as well (for example, if someone is attempting to move them).

Always obtain verbal or implied consent form the patient prior to initiating patient assessment and treatment.

EMTs always have responsibility for all patients. This means EMTs must supervise all patient care rendered by First Aiders, and First Aiders must always follow EMTs' orders.

Complete a new entry on the first aid report in the patient report clipboard for all first aid assessment and treatment.

EMTs must perform full EMT assessment and treatment on any patient that warrants it, meaning any patient that cannot be fully assessed or treated by a First Aider within their scope of practice.

First Aiders currently taking an EMT course (or having completed it) can take vital signs and perform the verbal portion of an EMT patient assessment (i.e. SAMPLE history, OPQRST) under the direct supervision of a certified EMT.

Only on-duty, fully uniformed IU-EMS members can assess and treat patients.

All personnel involved in a patient care situation should cooperate together to work as a team, with an emphasis on clear and consistent communication.

Each EMT patient will be treated by one primary EMT who possesses full medical authority over the patient. All assisting EMTs, First Aiders, and bystanders must follow the direction of the primary EMT. The primary EMT is responsible for directing all aspects of the patient care situation for that patient.

It is best to treat patients in small teams of EMTs and/or First Aiders. The ideal number of medical personnel is one to four for each patient. The inclusion of additional personnel in the patient care situation decreases the efficiency of the patient care by causing physical crowding, creating confusion and anxiety for the patient and other personnel, and increasing the risk of miscommunication or the duplication of activities.

Remove your sunglasses while assessing and treating a patient and lower yourself as close to his or her level as you can or lower.

Maintain as much patient privacy and confidentiality as possible. Do not let any other person observe patient care unless the patient gives permission.

Maintain BSI (universal precautions) at all times. Always wear gloves when working with patients, and ensure that all blood, vomit, and other bodily fluids are thoroughly cleaned from equipment, supplies, tables, and chairs after treating a patient.

For events at which IU-EMS will be stationed at a table or in a tent (i.e. IU Dance Marathon, IUSF Little 50, and IUSF Little 500 practices and pre-race events), you may bring homework, books, food, and drinks, but must put these aside whenever a patient is near you (even if you are not directly working with them).

Remove your hat and stand in a professional manner facing the flag whenever the national anthem is played.

First Aider Staying with Equipment EMT and First Aider Walking to Patient

EMT Supervising First Aid Treatment First Aider Using Proper BSI First Aider Cleaning Equipment

Officer Reading Book

Shift End

The following guidelines should be followed for the end of each of your shifts:

Sign out on the sign-in sheet.

Fully restock all supplies that you have used.

Return your uniform shirt and any other apparel you may have used. For most events, worn uniforms are placed in a bag, box, or crate, but for the IU Dance Marathon, uniform shirts may be worn during the next shift if necessary.

Return any unused gloves that you have in your pockets to the appropriate glove box.

Return your radio if you have one, properly placing it into the charger so it can charge for the next day (or, for events with multiple shifts, give it to your replacement EMT if they do not have one). Ensure that the charging indicator in front of the slot to which you returned your radio turns red before leaving. If it does not, remove and reinsert the radio until it does.

For events with multiple shifts, brief replacement workers on what has happened so far, including patients that may return and supplies used.

For events with multiple shifts, you cannot leave until your replacement has arrived! IU-EMS is legally responsible to provide a minimum number of certified medical professionals at all events for which it is hired.

Officer and EMT Restocking Supplies Worn Uniforms in Bike Shop Closet

Radios Charging with Red Charging Indicators

Radio Use

The radios may only be used for professional purposes, such as directing fellow workers to locations,

asking for equipment, supplies, or assistance. They can not be used for personal communication. The

following are strictly forbidden by FCC (Federal Communications Commission) laws:

Giving confidential patient information over the radio.

Using profanity over the radio.

Allowing an unauthorized person to use the radio. Only IU-EMS members are permitted to use the radios.

Visit the equipment page for additional information on radio use.

Ambulances

If an ambulance is needed (or the police or fire department) at an event on the university's campus, an

IU-EMS member must directly call the IUPD (Indiana University Police Department) dispatch center at

812-855-4111. Store this number in your cell phone! Only call 911 if off of the university's campus! Only an

EMT can make the decision to make this call. Then, an EMT must make the call or direct a First Aider to

make the call for them. Give the dispatcher your name, role (IU-EMS EMT or IU-EMS First Aider), location

(i.e. Bill Armstrong Stadium) number of patients, and patient conditions. Notify an IU-EMS officer as soon as

possible after calling an ambulance.

EMT Calling IUPD for an Ambulance Ambulance Loading Patient at Bill Armstrong Stadium

Vehicles

IU-EMS often uses private vehicles, identified with the IU-EMS logo, to transport equipment and personnel

to and from events, and sometimes to provide coverage during the event itself. Prior to an event, the Events

Director plans the use of one or more vehicles with the hiring organization when necessary. The purpose of

this practice is to facilitate access and coverage at the event site. The vehicles are still private vehicles, not

certified emergency response vehicles, and must therefore follow all normal traffic laws.

The following guidelines should be followed when using an approved vehicle for IU-EMS:

Always follow all traffic laws.
Always wear safety belts.
Never park in a fire lane. However, IU-EMS can park in any other area, including those which cannot be parked in under normal circumstances, as agreed upon with the hiring organization.
Ensure that the vehicle is in a secure location and lock the vehicle when unattended.
Ensure that the vehicle has unhindered access into and out of the event area. Also, ensure that the parking space is reserved when the vehicle is not parked there.
Never transport anyone who is not a member of IU-EMS. Members can allow a patient to sit in the vehicle if necessary for safety, privacy, or medical reasons, but the vehicle cannot be moved during this time. Ensure that all bodily fluids, water, dirt, trash, etc. are cleaned from the vehicle after the patient leaves, maintaining appropriate BSI (universal precautions) as described above.
Maintain a professional and courteous manner in dealing with event staff. If a conflict arises regarding vehicle use (i.e. denial of access or parking), contact a supervisor or officer immediately to assist in resolving the conflict.

In an Instant 2008

Specific Protocols

The following events have their own sets of additional protocols:

Also visit the member orientation page for a list of information that all members must be familiar with

before working at any event for which IU-EMS provides medical coverage.

IUSF Women's Little 500 2007