Case Study: Fall Victim 12 Feet or Higher

EMS and fire agencies dispatched to a local residence for a fall which was reported to be greater than ten feet. When EMS units arrived on scene they discovered the patient in the care of a local fire department. When EMS units approach the patient they met resistance from the fire department. The firefighters were noticeably excited, becoming unprofessional, and would not relinquish control of the patients to the EMS units on scene. Fire fighters loaded the patient onto the ambulance stretcher and placed her into the ambulance. Fire fighters attempted to board the ambulance against EMS personnel's orders. Fire fighters were resistant to relinquishing patient care but were kept off the ambulance by EMS. Paramedics arrived on scene to further asses the patient. Paramedics advised a helicopter was not needed and the helicopter was canceled. Paramedics began to question EMS about the condition of the patients spine and the back of her head. EMS units told paramedics that they were unable to advise on the condition of the patients spine and head due to the actions of the fire department. The local fire department placed the patient on the backboard without palpating the patients head and spine, checking for deformities or abnormalities. Patient was transported in a basic truck with a paramedic and ALS equipment on board to a local trauma center.

Analysis:

1.) The operation of medical scenes with regard to fire and EMS varies from district to district, but ideally fire fighters should relinquish patient care immediately when EMS units arrive on scene with an ambulance. The fire fighters on scene became too excited by the overall scenario and began to act in a way that was unsafe for the patient. EMS units are there to transport the patient in a manner they deem necessary. Fire personnel must relinquish care and allow EMS to asses the patient. Unless the fire department has an ambulance that is going to transport EMS needs to examine the patient and determine the severity of the patients injuries so they can best determine the means of transport for the patient.