So much emphasis in paramedic practice is placed on saving lives, and so how can you provide the best care for patients who are approaching the end of theirs? Knowing when it is appropriate to transfer palliative and end of life patients to hospital can be challenging as there are often many complex factors at stake which can have an impact on both patients and their families. Digging deep into the ethical and clinical aspects of working with palliative patients as a paramedic, this book is the go-to resource to enable you to act within the patient's best interests and provide the most appropriate and effective care. Key features include: Twenty-four case studies covering a range of relevant topics to help apply principles to your own practice Clinical information on symptom control and pain management Written specifically for paramedics, by a range of specialist authors Designated chapters on the role of the paramedic in palliative care, palliative care emergencies and personal resilience Full-colour diagrams throughout. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all more aware of the importance of patient-centred palliative care; this book is full of tips and techniques to help you feel more confident in ensuring patients not only die 'well' but also live with dignity and comfort.

When caring for a patient nearing the end of his or her life, paramedics often need to make the difficult decision as to whether hospital admission is appropriate; meaning that an understanding palliative and end-of-life care is often integral to their role. This book provides a comprehensive overview of palliative and end-of-life care and how it fits in with the role of the paramedic. Chapters incorporate case scenarios to help the reader apply theory to practice and cover a range of issues such as ethics, end-of-life communication, handling bereaved relatives, as well as looking at those illnesses where a palliative approach might be beneficial. It also offers information on reversible palliative care emergencies that do require acute admission.

Enhanced Palliative Care A Handbook for Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors. Specifically designed to enhance your knowledge and skills within generalist palliative care, this informative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principle areas you may encounter whilst working with adult palliative and end-of-life patients, and their families. The development of the text has been backed by Macmillan Cancer Support and each chapter has been written by a range of specialist and generalist authors. The topics covered include approaches to palliative care and symptom management in a wide range of conditions and populations, with chapters linked to case studies to encourage interactive learning and understanding. Communication skills are also highlighted to help aid confidence when engaging in open and difficult conversations. The text is in line with the Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines and the NES Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care. The book may either be used as course reading for relevant training programmes, such as the Enhanced Palliative Care course, as well as by healthcare professionals hoping to develop their skills and practice. It is aimed at anyone involved in management and prescribing within non-specialist palliative care, both in hospitals and in the community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other key health professionals.

Paramedics are often the first port of call for those requiring emergency medical attention and therefore frequently encounter patients who are receiving palliative or end of life care. As professionals whose training focuses on saving lives, how can paramedics help patients who are approaching the end of theirs? Palliative and End of Life Care for Paramedics provides a comprehensive overview of palliative and end of life care and how it fits in with the role of the paramedic. Bringing together a range of authors, including paramedics and palliative care specialists, the book covers relevant aspects of caring for patients at the end of life. Topics include philosophy, ethics and psychosocial factors as well as how to deal with palliative care emergencies, symptom control and caring for the dying patient. It also covers enhanced communication skills and how to support relatives and loved ones along with a chapter on professional resilience as a paramedic and coping with death. Putting end of life care within the context of the paramedic role, the book also contains case study scenarios which allow the reader to apply theory to their practice. It is essential reading for all those hoping to better understand the complexities of caring for patients approaching the end of life.

This comprehensive volume provides a practical framework for evaluation, management and disposition of this growing vulnerable patient population.

Specifically designed to enhance your knowledge and skills within generalist palliative care, this informative textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the principle areas you may encounter whilst working with adult palliative and end-of-life patients, and their families. The development of the text has been backed by Macmillan Cancer Support and each chapter has been written by a range of specialist and generalist authors. The topics covered include approaches to palliative care and symptom management in a wide range of conditions and populations, with chapters linked to case studies to encourage interactive learning and understanding. Communication skills are also highlighted to help aid confidence when engaging in open and difficult conversations. The text is in line with Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines and the NES Framework for Palliative and End of Life Care. The book may either be used as course reading for relevant training programmes, such as the Enhanced Palliative Care course, as well as by healthcare professionals hoping to develop their skills and practice. It is aimed at anyone involved in management and prescribing within non-specialist palliative care, both in hospitals and in the community, including paramedics, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and other key health professionals.

Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice An indispensable guide for aspiring paramedics and emergency medical professionals Paramedic practice is swiftly evolving, driven by changes in the paramedic curriculum. To meet the growing demands of the community, student paramedics and clinicians working in out-of-hospital care must stay abreast of this rapid evolution. Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice, Third Edition contributes to driving the profession forward and provides a comprehensive, accessible text authored by experienced paramedics and academics. This third edition has undergone comprehensive updates, introducing new chapters that provide students and recently registered practitioners with a vital overview of the theory and practice of contemporary paramedicine. This is an essential resource for the next generation of paramedics and out-of-hospital practitioners. Readers of the third edition of Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice will find: A multidisciplinary approach incorporating varied and dynamic research New chapters on subjects including end of life care, domestic violence, and paramedic wellbeing Learning activities to aid understanding and retention Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice, Third Edition is ideal for undergraduate paramedic and emergency care students, as well as registered paramedics, clinicians, and educators.

The two-volume Emergency Medical Services: Clinical Practice and Systems Oversight delivers a thorough foundation upon which to succeed as an EMS medical director and prepare for the NAEMSP National EMS Medical Directors Course and Practicum. Focusing on EMS in the 'real world', the book offers specific management tools that will be useful in the reader's own local EMS system and provides contextual understanding of how EMS functions within the broader emergency care system at a state, local, and national level. The two volumes offer the core knowledge trainees will need to successfully complete their training and begin their career as EMS physicians, regardless of the EMS systems in use in their areas. A companion website rounds out the book's offerings with audio and video clips of EMS best practice in action. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to the history of EMS An exploration of EMS airway management, including procedures and challenges, as well as how to manage ventilation, oxygenation, and breathing in patients, including cases of respiratory distress Practical discussions of medical problems, including the challenges posed by the undifferentiated patient, altered mental status, cardiac arrest and dysrhythmias, seizures, stroke, and allergic reactions An examination of EMS systems, structure, and leadership

When the end of life makes its inevitable appearance, people should be able to expect reliable, humane, and effective caregiving. Yet too many dying people suffer unnecessarily. While an "overtreated" dying is feared, untreated pain or emotional abandonment are equally frightening. Approaching Death reflects a wide-ranging effort to understand what we know about care at the end of life, what we have yet to learn, and what we know but do not adequately apply. It seeks to build understanding of what constitutes good care for the dying and offers recommendations to decisionmakers that address specific barriers to achieving good care. This volume offers a profile of when, where, and how Americans die. It examines the dimensions of caring at the end of life: Determining diagnosis and prognosis and communicating these to patient and family. Establishing clinical and personal goals. Matching physical, psychological, spiritual, and practical care strategies to the patient's values and circumstances. Approaching Death considers the dying experience in hospitals, nursing homes, and other settings and the role of interdisciplinary teams and managed care. It offers perspectives on quality measurement and improvement, the role of practice guidelines, cost concerns, and legal issues such as assisted suicide. The book proposes how health professionals can become better prepared to care well for those who are dying and to understand that these are not patients for whom "nothing can be done."

Emergency Birth in the Community is the essential resource for all healthcare professionals who come into contact with emergency deliveries in the community setting, including midwives and GPs. The book has been specifically adapted from the official JRCALC Guidelines, which covers the established standard for prehospital care.