Reevaluating Medical Emergency Preparedness in Organizations
Many organizations now focus solely on what is mandatory rather than what is practical, particularly in medical emergencies.
All too often, organizations have only the minimum required staff trained in First Aid, and even then, the training usually falls short of comprehensive standards. This approach may have been sufficient in the past due to less strained ambulance systems and fewer complex issues within workplaces.
This article will discuss the importance and hidden benefits of having a qualified medical response team within your organization.
The first step towards preparedness is to examine your worksite through the eyes of someone who may be injured.
For instance, consider a shopping mall experience: Picture a winter day when someone parks their car and, as they step out onto an icy walkway, slips and falls backwards, hitting their head on another vehicle's bumper.
In this scenario, three separate emergencies arise:
1. **Temperature Loss:** Prolonged exposure to cold conditions can lead to severe consequences.
2. **Visibility Issues:** The individual is on the ground, making it challenging for others to notice the incident, especially later in the day when lighting may be poor.
3. **Physical Injury:** A significant blow to the head could result in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or bleeding.
Would your staff know how to identify, communicate, and respond effectively in such a situation? Does your site possess the necessary equipment and resources to address emergencies swiftly?
When evaluating your location, consider various scenarios from multiple perspectives. This approach will help identify previously overlooked risks and foster collaborative discussions within your organization.
Regarding training, Alberta offers three levels of First Aid training, along with additional skill courses beyond Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations:
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
1. Basic First Aid: This one-day course focuses on primary life-threatening emergencies. Typically delivered from a general public perspective, it covers topics like choking, CPR, AED, and breathing and bleeding emergencies. Different providers may offer additional issues, but most emphasize the core emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABC).
2. Intermediate First Aid: This two-day course builds on basic skills and delves deeper into injuries and illnesses, including environmental emergencies, poisoning, chemical exposure, bone and joint injuries, and more.
3. Advanced First Aid: Comparable to entry-level paramedic training, this 80-hour course teaches advanced skills in patient stabilization, transportation, enhanced assessments, and communication, in addition to everything covered in the Basic and Intermediate courses.
In addition, several valuable courses exist outside the provincial minimums, often accredited by colleges or associations:
Basic Life Saving (BLS): A six-hour course is required for many frontline medical professionals. It provides in-depth training in CPR and AED, emphasizing coordinated team responses and introducing the Bag Valve Mask, greatly enhancing the quality of care compared to the hands-on CPR often taught in introductory First Aid courses.
Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC): This program outlines best practices for civilian response in high-threat scenarios, concentrating on triage, casualty management, and thorough assessments.
SECMED (Security Medical Responder): This scope-based training combines Intermediate First Aid, BLS, and TECC. It aims to equip frontline security personnel with the confidence and competence to respond effectively to real-world emergencies, whether alone or as part of a team. Upon completion, participants receive Intermediate First Aid, BLS, and TECC certification and a SECMED certificate.
Understanding the importance of comprehensive medical training and preparedness can help organizations better protect their employees and visitors in emergencies.
Is your organization prepared for emergencies? Contact SCOPE Safety & Security today! We offer comprehensive training solutions, from Basic First Aid to advanced SECMED courses, ensuring your team is equipped to handle any situation. Don’t wait—enhance your readiness now!
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