Maricopa Community Colleges  EMT232   19956-19985 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 02/24/98
EMT232 19956-19985 L+L 0.50 Credit(s) 0.50 Period(s)
Emergency Defibrillation for EMTs
Review of anatomy of cardiovascular system. Patient assessment, use of semi-automatic defibrillator, rescue sequences, post-resuscitation care and documentation, infection control techniques, medical direction, equipment maintenance, and quality control issues. Content concurrent with U. S. Department of Transportation Guidelines, Arizona Department of Health Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services, and American Heart Association Standards and Guidelines. Prerequisites: EMT-Basic or Intermediate Certification.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
EMT232   19956-19985 Emergency Defibrillation for EMTs
1. Describe the structure and function of the cardiovascular system. (I)
2. List the causes, signs, and symptoms of sudden cardiac death. (II)
3. Describe and explain the fundamentals of and rationale for early defibrillation. (III)
4. List the types of external defibrillators, indications, and contraindications for semi-automatic external defibrillation. (SAED) (IV)
5. List and perform the steps in the operation of the semi- automatic external defibrillator. (V)
6. Differentiate between the single-rescuer and multi-rescuer care with a semi-automatic external defibrillator. (VI)
7. List and describe the components of post-resuscitation care. (VII)
8. List and describe the components of defibrillator maintenance. (VIII)
9. Explain the role medical direction plays in the use of semi- automatic external defibrillation. (IX)
10. Describe the goal of quality improvement in semi-automatic external defibrillation. (X)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
EMT232   19956-19985 Emergency Defibrillation for EMTs
    I. Review of Circulatory System Anatomy and Physiology
      II. Sudden Cardiac Death
          A. Causes
          B. Signs
          C. Symptoms
        III. Fundamentals/Rationale for Early Defibrillation
          IV. External Defibrillator
              A. Types
                1. Semi-automatic
                2. Fully-automatic
              B. Indications for semi-automatic defibrillation
                1. Pulseless and apneic medical patient over 12 years old
                2. Ventricular tachycardia over 180/minute
                3. Ventricular fibrillation
              C. Contraindications for semi-automatic defibrillation
                1. Pulseless and apneic medical patient under 12 years of age
                2. Pulseless and apneic medical patient under 90 pounds
            V. Procedure for Semi-Automatic External Defibrillation
                A. Body substance isolation
                B. Speed of operation
                C. Interviewing bystanders/family
                D. One-rescuer CPR
                E. Two-rescuer CPR
                F. Request for advanced life support (ALS) backup
                G. Airway management
                  1. Adjuncts
                  2. Flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilatory devices
                  3. Suction
                H. Indications for interruption of CPR
                I. Use of semi-automatic external defibrillator during resuscitation attempts
                  1. Operational steps
                  2. Inappropriate delivery of shocks
                J. Scene Safety
                  1. Water/rain
                  2. Metal
              VI. Rescue Sequence
                  A. Single-rescuer care with semi-automatic external defibrillator
                  B. Two-rescuer care with semi-automatic external defibrillator
                  C. Coordination of ALS protocol
                    1. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) protocols
                    2. Base hospital protocols
                VII. Post-Resuscitation Care
                    A. When pulse returns
                    B. When there is no pulse
                    C. Transporting the patient
                  VIII. Defibrillator Maintenance
                      A. Regular maintenance routine
                      B. Operators shift checklist
                      C. Battery replacement schedule
                      D. Training and sources of information
                    IX. Medical Direction
                        A. Arizona Revised Statutes Rules and Regulations
                        B. Base hospital protocols
                      X. Quality Improvement Program
                          A. Case review
                            1. Written report
                            2. Review of voice-ECG (electrocardiogram) tape recorders attached to SAEDs
                            3. Solid-state memory modules and magnetic tape recordings stored in device
                          B. Maintenance of skills
                            1. Practice skills
                            2. Continuing competency skill review every three months
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