Teamwork

This is a word that is seldom used in EMS, yet it is also an expectation. The AHA, in it's recent changes to CPR, made mention of utilization of teamwork in it's curriculum. This is mentioned as if this never existed in CPR, let alone pre-hospital care and this is not particularly surprising. In EMT school we are taught to work individually, whether it be in class or testing. Each of us must pass without the assistance of a "partner" on exams and in class. Unfortunately, this is not conducive to real-world EMS.

Here are some reasons why I disagree with the individualistic mentality placed on EMS providers:

1. Individualism breeds competition and while competition in theory is not a bad thing, it does not help EMT's function better. Remember, our common goals are to make sure our patients get the proper care they need either during a routine transport or during an emergency.

2. Communications lacks! A large part of our job is communication, whether it be through radios, to our patients, or to our partners, this is an area of our job that is fundamental.

3.  Patient Care is another area affected. Four hands are better than two, just as two heads are better than one. The more information you can get, the more life saving procedures can be performed, and the least amount of time sitting around without a clue...the BETTER!

There are other areas that are affected by our individualized education; however, these three categories are extremely important to our job. So how can we fix this?

1. More education. By changing the way we approach educating new and old EMT's, we can begin creating an environment of community and teamwork within the industry. This means learning as a team, practicing as a team, and testing as a team. This does not eliminate individual testing, but puts less emphasis on that individual mind set.

2. Emphasis on communicating on all levels. I recently had a partner who was near silent in the ambulance and while this is not necessarily a bad thing, it is when he/she could talk without issue with patients in a compassionate tone while responding to me in a harsh and dismissive tone. I do not take kindly to this. You or your partner may be having a tough day, but leave it at the door. You are a team. Without one of you, the team would cease to function.

3. Patient care can be looked at from a variety of angles; however, I like to look at how EMT's handle the patients once they are placed in the back of an ambulance. In my company, what generally happens is the Tech goes in back with the patient while the Driver goes to the front seat immediately to start the truck and get going. I want to propose another strategy. I would like to propose to EMT's, not only in my company, but elsewhere, to hop in the back with your partner and grab a set of vitals or help with some of the treatment before you run to put the pedal to the metal.

All of these basic tactics, while relatively small in the grand scheme of things, contribute to improving the way we function in an ambulance.