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Paramedics Research Paper

Decent Essays

History of Paramedics

Prior to the 1970’s, ambulances were staffed as basic life support (BLS) type units. They would transfer people on a basic level of transport performing “non invasive” interventions. The people who staffed this units were not called EMT’s at this time however were called Ambulance Attendants. They were severed with little medical training and only performed routine interventions. In 1966 there was an article called “The Accidental Death and Disability Report” also called “White Paper”. In this report The National Academy of Sciences Did studies on trauma and shock. This project was a federally funded report of their research which came to the conclusion that both the public and government were "insensitive to the magnitude …show more content…

In 1969 he was the President of the Los Angeles County Heart Association. Dr. Graf instituted a program called MCCU which called for a higher level of care and demanded that something be done to mitigate these high death and disability rates. This program was based out of Inglewood California and focused on primarily mobile coronary care. Dr. Graf had purchased a 1969 white Chevy Van and named it “Stepvan” and there was their mobile care unit. It was described as being a hospital on wheels and seemed to have everything one may need in case of extreme emergency that before could only be handled in a hospital setting. This by turn was also the start of McCormick Ambulance Service, which to this day provides emergency 911 services for LA and Ventura Counties. And is credited for being the first private ambulance company to have …show more content…

An associate degree program is 2 years, often administered through a community college. Degree programs are an option, with two year associate degree programs being most common, although four year bachelor's degree programs exist. Many paramedic programs are through Adult Career and Technical schools that provide a certificate of completion upon completion of the program. All programs must meet the current National Standard curriculum. The institutions offering such training vary greatly across the country in terms of programs and requirements, and the prospective student in terms of both content and requirements where the prospective paramedic hopes to practice must examine each. Regardless of education, all students must meet the same state requirements to take the certification exams, including the National Registry exams which consist of a psychomotor skills practical examination and the a Computer Based Testing. In addition, most locales require that paramedics attend ongoing refresher courses and continuing medical education to maintain their license or certification. In addition to state and national registry certifications, most paramedics are required to be certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Pediatric Prehospital care or Pediatric Emergencies for the Prehospital Provider; Prehospital Trauma Life Support; International Trauma Life Support; and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

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