EMS Medical Student Elective

 
EMER-544
Elective in Emergency Medical Services
University of Maryland School of Medicine
 
Official School of Medicine Course Description
 
 

The University of Maryland School of Medicine's EMS elective is a broad based and in-depth immersion into the practice of out of hospital medicine. Paired with a core emergency medicine faculty member, medical students will rotate through various components of prehospital medicine. Though a working arrangement with paramedic instructors, students are also introduced to paramedic-level skills including dysrhythmia recognition, endotracheal intubation, and intravenous access. The elective is divided into four "modules," and can be structured according to the individual student's experience and background. The modules are asynchronous and represent generalized areas of EMS practice. Previous EMS training or pre-requisites are not required. The EMS experience can be tailored (and expanded) to meet individual student interest. 

 


Module 1: Introduction to EMS and Hospital Emergency Planning / Disaster Preparedness
Contacts:
EMS Faculty (Drs. Guyther, Nusbaum, Robinson, Lawner)


Students will work with residents, staff, and faculty to examine emergency preparedness strategies. Collaborate with emergency medicine residents and emergency planners on disaster planning and the mitigation of an anticipated, "patient surge." Readings relevant to emergency management can be found in the section on "disaster medicine." 

Readings/resources:


Module 2: Emergency Medical Services Training (BCFD and EMS education)
Contact:
EMS Faculty 

Students collaborate with emergency services instructors on EMS specific educational projects. Observe and practice emergency patient care skills such as intravenous access and airway management. Participate in lectures / in-service trainings to EMS personnel. Students will also create a 30 minute powerpoint presentation (narrated) on a topic relevant to EMS practice 

Readings:

  • Selected chapters from Mosby's Paramedic Textbook / prehospital care 
  • AHA ACLS and PALS manuals
  • Observation at various EMS courses/training classes

Presentation pointers:

  • Goal of the lecture is to create a brief (20-30 min) presentation geared towards a specific EMS population (fire department clinicians, critical care transport providers, flight medical providers, tactical providers, etc) 
  • The topic can be one of your choice, but the message should have direct relevance to the practice of prehospital emergency medicine. The topic can also be a case study focused upon a patient you may have encountered during ride a longs
  • Be mindful of the intended audience. It is acceptable for the lecture to appeal to all levels of EMS providers
    -EMTs have approximately 140 hours of education
    -Paramedics have completed approximately 2000 hours of prehospital training 
    -Critical care clinicians complete additional classes/certifications
  • Keep listeners engaged with relevant case studies, video links, or interactive question/answer slides 

Module 3: Quality Assurance (BCFD), Emergency Medical Services Administration, and EMS Research 
Contacts:
Captain Anita Hagley, and EMS Facilty

-Discuss key aspects of EMS quality assurance and reporting
-Obtain follow up data on cardiac arrest survivors
-Attend regularly scheduled meetings of the protocol review committee
-Attend regularly scheduled meetings of Maryland EMS Systems Research Interest Group 
-Attend regulary scheduled meetings of the University of Maryland Medical Center's STEMI Committee

 


Module 4: Operational (patient care) Emergency Medical Services

The EMS elective is currently affiliated with several clinical sites. Depending upon interest and availability, students can choose to complete shifts with different EMS jurisdictions

Baltimore City Fire Department 
Contact:
Kelli Robinson, MD, EMS Faculty 

-Ride along with Baltimore City Fire Department ALS apparatus
-Ride along with BCFD EMS Officers
-Participate in any regularly scheduled mass gathering EMS events
 

Baltimore City Fire Department Unified Communications Center (911 and Fire Dispatch) 
Contact:
Chief Cassandra Chase, BCFD Communications (Fire Dispatch) 
Manager Wayne Harris, BCFD Communications (911) 
Location: 601 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD

The student on rotation will observe the initial intake/triageof 911 calls and subsequent dispatching of fire/EMS units. The shift takes place at the Unified Communications Center. Objectives of this rotation include learning about aspects of 911 triage and emergency response profiles. The communication center handles an average of 80,000 calls per month. Fire Communications is tasked with assigning fire apparatus and EMS units to various requests for emergency medical and fire suppresion calls. 

Baltimore County Fire Department
Contact:
Danielle Knatz, EMS Bureau Chief

Students can participate in ride alongs with EMS supervisors and conduct responses to patients with acute illness and injury. The County experience affords students to experience a different operational EMS structure.
-Location of Baltimore County Fire Department stations
-Baltimore County Fire Department rotation information 
 

PHI/University of Maryland ExpressCare-1 (AIR MEDICAL) 
Contact: 
Mike McCabe, NRP, FP-C, Base Manager

Maryland ExpressCare 1 provides critical care aeromedical transportation for critically ill and injured patients requiring care at the University of Maryland Medical Center. You'll travel to the base of operations and meet with the transport crew. You'll talk with critical care transport providers about the unique environment in which they work. Depending upon availability, you will have the opportunity to tour ExpressCare's EC-135 twin engine aircraft.  

 

University of Maryland ExpressCare Ground Critical Care Transport (GROUND TRANSPORT)
Contact:
Ellen Souchak, RN, Senior Critical Care RN Transport Specialist 
Leigha McGuin RN, BSN Nurse Manager

ExpressCare also contracts with American Medical Response to provide ground interfacility and critical care transport from area hospitals to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Ride along with crews to retrive critically ill patients from outlying facilities and experience the critical care transport environment. 

 



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