Each year, the TSTC EMS program conducts an extrication exercise in which they give first year basic students a platform upon which they can display their proficiency in various skills including triage, MC incident management, placement of traction splints, c-collars, backboards, and oxygen masks and cannulas. In addition, students learn how to take vital signs under stress. This year, I played the part of the bus driver who was suffering a heart attack after a multi-vehicle accident. The exercise is supported by the AFD, Metrocare, AirEvac Lifeteam, and several other 911 response teams from surrounding communities.
Well, the Fall 2010 semester is not officially over, but it's close enough. All in all, it was interesting and challenging in so many ways. The most difficult part was developing a method to use when writing the PCR, which is a patient contact record that must be completed after each patient contact while attending a clinical or practical. I had 43 this semester. My first PCRs were sketchy to say the least, but I spent some time with one of the advanced students in early November to discuss the 'charting method.' Karen was most helpful. After our visit, I used the information she gave me to develop a 4x6 note card 'charting' aid that I complete during the actual contact. After the contact, the information on the note card can be supplemented when completing the actual PCR. Karen is a very well respected advanced student who is never too busy to help those of us needing a little extra information and encouragement.
The semester's end is most certainly signaled by handing in my clinical notebook. A very long definition cut short, a clinical notebook is a summary (of sorts) in which the student outlines his contact with patients in a clinical or practical setting; a hospital or ambulance. I can safely say that not only did I learn how to function as a part of a team addressing an emergency situation, but I also observed that we (the trauma team) often create what the conscious patient and/or family members translates as "chaos" which quickly turns into fear. I have learned that a very big part of our job is to bring order to that chaos. I have learned that the patient needs to can hear, feel and sense our "order." I have learned that the patient will likely have a positive response to our quite but rushed order.
Here's a photo taken last semester on the Abilene TSTC parking lot (by fellow student Kay Reid) the evening AirEvac Lifeteam paid us a visit. After crawling in and out of this pretty little bird several times, I now realize why the crew members are so slim and fit.
