EMS Educator Exeter Hospital, Exeter, NH Lee, New Hampshire
This program takes a new and innovative approach to the assessment and care of patients with special needs. It is inherently challenging to produce a training program that satisfactorily addresses this topic, given the breadth of this area and the vast number of "special needs" that exist. The program is divided into three parts:
Part One: General Approach to Special Needs This portion of the program discusses the general approach to any patient with special needs, and covers topics including Communication, Right to Dignity, Assessment, Parents of Special Needs Kids as Experts, Altered Baseline, Behavioral Issues, Advanced Directives, Service Animals, etc.
Part Two: Individual Conditions This portion of the program reviews the most common individual conditions, including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, and CHD
Part Three; Technology Issues This part of the program addresses the most common technology issues, such as trachs, G/J Tubes, pumps, and vents.
The presentations are visually engaging, making use of videos and pictures where possible to tell the story. They would be appropriate for all levels of EMS providers.