Response Procedures

No two calls are identical. The following serves as an outline of typical call procedure.

All emergency calls are received at switchboard on extension 5555. After establishing that emergency medical care is needed, EMTs are dispatched by radio or pager. EMT-A and EMT-B respond to the scene within two to three minutes. Any communication with Public Safety or Dispatch regarding further information occurs en route using two-way radios.

Public Safety is dispatched to secure scene safety and crowd control during each call. They carry several essential pieces of HCEMS equipment in their vehicle, and are also trained as First Responders. During calls concerning drug and alcohol use, or at times when the patient is uncomfortable with an officers presence, a Public Safety officer may be asked to wait out of the patient's sight.

After care is provided or transferred, EMTs return to the Public Safety office, replenish any used medical supplies, and complete a run sheet.

Radio Protocol

EMTs are paged via two-way radio or pager. When a call is received the pager mechanism, or "tone," will sound, opening up the frequency on the radio or pager. After the tone, a call will come through as:

            "EMTs please respond to [location] for [nature of call]"

             EMTs respond:

          "EMT A, (or B) received and responding."

EMT-A should acknowledge a call immediately. EMT-B waits to acknowledge a call until they are away from bystanders. If the nature of a call is sensitive, a description will not come over the radio immediately. Once EMT-B has responded via radio and EMT-A is clear of bystanders, EMT-A may request the nature of the call. If the call is of a serious nature dispatch may notify the Amherst Fire Department ambulance service immediately. Any such information will come over the radio.

Once on scene, EMTs should report:

            "EMT A (or B) on scene."

When care has been transferred or terminated, and EMTs are leaving the scene, EMTs should alert dispatch:

          "EMTs clear of scene."

Radio protocol includes no use of names or inappropriate language. A document of standard dispatch protocol is on file at the switchboard. In the case of improper dispatch a "Dispatch Form" describing the problem must be filled out and given to the Director of Public Safety with the HCEMS run sheet.

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Transportation/Transfer of Care

Shortly after arrival on the scene, EMTs should begin to decide what level of care their patient's condition demands. Unless a "refusal of care" release form is signed, or there has been a transfer to a higher standard of care, an EMT must remain with the patient. The EMTs should always choose the most conservative transportation options.
 

Amherst Fire Department

The Amherst Fire Department ambulance will transport to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Care is transferred to AFD in the case of any respiratory or cardiac impairment, suspected cervical-spine injury, low level of consciousness, bone injury, alcohol or drug overdose, and any call in which oxygen therapy is used. AFD may be called when EMTs feel a situation is beyond their knowledge or training or after consultation with Hampshire Health Services or the University of Massachusetts Infirmary. When an ambulance is required, Dispatch notifies AFD.

Upon arrival AFD is supplied with information regarding a patient's name, gender, age, chief complaint, vitals, and relevant medical history, both verbally and in writing.

Life Flight, an emergency helicopter service, is used in immediate, life-threatening emergencies. The decision to call Life Flight will ultimately be made by AFD. If EMTs suspects Life Flight will be needed, dispatch will advise AFD. The helicopter will land at the "Four Corners."

 

University of Massachusetts Infirmary

A patient may be transported to the University of Massachusetts Infirmary by the Department of Public Safety or a friend. EMTs may offer a patient one of these options depending on the patient's condition. UMI is only to be utilized by Hampshire students and staff when Hampshire Health Services is closed. During limited hours, UMI can provide suturing and x-rays (9:00 to 16:00). EMTs may consult UMI over the phone for advise during a call.

 

Hampshire Health Services

This service is used during business hours (8:30-17:00 weekdays), in the case of minor ambulatory injuries and illness. Only Hampshire College students and staff can be seen at Hampshire Health Services. Visitors or students on leave must go to CDH.

 

Personal Transportation

A patient has the option to seek transportation from a friend to Hampshire Health Services, UMI or CDH. If a patient chooses this option, EMTs call UMI or CDH to alert them that a patient will be arriving shortly and provide a brief description of the patient's condition. Before EMTs terminate care, a "Refusal of Care" form must be signed by the patient, witness, and EMT.

 

Refusal of Care

Only if a patient is capable of reasoning can s/he make the decision to refuse care. A form must be signed acknowledging the termination of care and legal responsibility. EMTs must be cautious in allowing refusal of care forms to be signed. (UMI can provide an objective opinion which is often helpful.) In the event that a patient becomes a danger to themselves or to others, Public Safety or the Amherst Police Department may take them into protective custody.

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Other Resources

There are many resources available on campus to assist with calls involving combative patients, attempted suicide, psychological instability, miscarriage, sexual and domestic abuse and rape. These resources may be utilized whenever appropriate.
 

Public Safety

Public Safety assists EMTs on all calls by providing scene safety and crowd control. If necessary, Public Safety can put a patient into protective custody. A Public Safety officer can assist the EMTs by transporting equipment from the vehicle to the scene and communicating the EMTs' needs to dispatch. A Public Safety officer arriving on scene before the EMTs may initiate care, to be transferred to the EMTs upon their arrival. Public Safety may also make the decision to call AFD. Problems that arise between EMTs and Public Safety officers are discussed with EMT Directors and the director of Public Safety.

 

Counselor Advocates

Counselor Advocates are staff and students from the Hampshire College community trained to provide advice and counseling on issues of rape and domestic abuse. When a call of this nature is received, the EMTs responsibility is to identify and treat potential medical problems. Only with the patient's consent may the CAs be notified. The CAs are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be paged when needed.

 

House Staff and Interns

House staff and Interns can provide help with psychological emergencies and drug and alcohol abuse within mods or dorms. Between Friday 4:30pm, and Monday 9:00am, a house staff member and intern in each residence area carries a pager and is available for counseling and assistance. Public Safety and switchboard assist the EMTs in locating an Intern or House Office Staff member during all other hours.

 

Staff Psychologists

The staff psychologists can provide assistance and counseling in psychological emergencies. A staff psychologist can be reached at HHS between 8:30am and 4:30pm and is on call at UMI during the night hours.

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Run sheets are completed in triplicate. The white copy of the run sheet, along with any refusal of care form and/or dispatch form, is put under the Director of Public Safety's office door in a large manila envelope. The yellow copy is sent in a business envelope addressed to the director of Health Services. The pink copy is kept at the EMT workstation. At the end of each semester, the run sheets are put on permanent file in the EMT office. Only the white and yellow copies of a run sheet have the name and address of the patient. The patient's name and address are blocked out of the pink copy.

 Information contained in HCEMS run sheets and Public Safety reports can be disclosed to House Staff or to the Dean's Office. HCEMTs are required by the State of Massachusetts to maintain strict confidentiality regarding calls, but, as a private institution, Hampshire College reserves the right to share information with appropriate parties concerned in the health of individual students.