Course Catalog

The ALS / BLS Interface program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers of the roles and responsibilities of each level of provider while providing patient care on-scene. The program is in accordance with OEMS Administrative Requirement 2-260.

Course Objectives:

• Recognize their specific role in providing patient care

• Recognize the importance of teamwork in providing patient care

• Perform skills as appropriate to the providers level of care

• Discuss the legal / ethical concerns while providing patient care

• Recognize situations that would require Medical Direction

The ALS Interfacility program is divided into four modules. The first module covers ALS Interfacility regulations / rules as outlined in statewide protocol. The second module is a comprehensive review of the medications that have been approved in the ALS Interfacility protocol and how to properly monitor and deliver the medications. The third module reviews laboratory data, blood products, respiration and ventilator functioning and chest tube monitoring. The fourth module is a review of agency specific equipment and protocol, provided by the agency.

Course Objectives:

• Describe regulation and protocols surrounding ALS IF transport

• Describe the appropriate procedure for administering medications

in the ALS Interfacility environment

• Monitor and administer medications approved for ALS transports

• Recognize and evaluate common laboratory data

• Safely monitor blood products during transport

• Describe normal respiratory functioning

• Monitor and troubleshoot ventilation devices

• Monitor and troubleshoot three chambered chest tube systems

The ALS Interfacility refresher program is a singular module for participants who have complete the full Interfacility program in the past. The program reviews information from the full course including regulation and protocol, medications approved for administration, patient treatment and the skills approved for the paramedic.

Course Objectives:

• Describe regulation and protocols surrounding ALS Interfacility

transport

• Monitor and administer medications approved for ALS Interfacility

transports

• Safely monitor blood products during transport

• Monitor IFT equipment

• Discuss clinical scenarios that may arise during IFT

The Behavioral Emergencies program is designed to familiarize the provider with the challenges faced when treating the behavioral emergency patient. Topics discussed include the definition of behavior, pathophysiology (medical / psychiatric), assessment, treatment, legal concerns and Massachusetts applicable laws associated with the behavioral emergency patient.

Course Objectives:

• Define behavior and behavioral emergency

• Discuss the pathophysiology of behavioral emergencies

• Appropriately assess a patient with a behavioral emergency

• Recognize key features of psychiatric disorders

• Manage behavioral patients with a medical etiology

• Manager behavioral patients with a psychiatric etiology

• Describe and demonstrate the patient restraint process

• Discuss Massachusetts laws / regulation as it pertains to the

behavioral patient

The Big Emergencies program is designed to familiarize the provider with the challenges faced when treating the bariatric patient. Topics discussed include normal digestive metabolism, pathophysiology, secondary causes and the body system effects of obesity. Providers will learn how to properly assess and treat the bariatric patient as well as complications that can arise from bariatric surgery.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the normal processing of calories

• Define morbid obesity

• Discuss the pathophysiology of the bariatric / morbidly obese

• Describe and discuss specific treatment modifications

• Describe gastric bypass and changes in physiology postsurgical

• Describe post-surgical complications that can necessitate an

emergency response

The Blood Borne Pathogens program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on OSHA regulations regarding blood borne pathogens, specific diseases, the use of appropriate PPE and post – exposure procedures.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the general provisions of the OSHA Bloodborne

Pathogens Standard

• Discuss the characteristics of specific bloodborne diseases

• Describe the exposure control plan for their organization

• Recognize and don appropriate personal protective equipment

• Discuss the post-exposure procedures

The BLS Skills program is designed to educate pre-hospital providers on the use of a glucometer. Included in the program is a review of altered mental status, glucose metabolism, diabetic disease process, characteristics of oral glucose, and use of a glucometer.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss AMS and its causes

• Discuss glucose metabolism normally as well as in disease states

• Describe the disease process, recognition, and treatment of Type I

and II diabetes

• Recognize and treat DKA, hypoglycemia

• Recite the drug profile for Oral Glucose

• Describe / demonstrate the use of a glucometer

The bronchodilators via HHN and CPAP program is designed to educate providers on the disease processes of asthma, COPD and Heart failure. Discussion and demonstration on the use of a hand –held nebulizer and continuous positive airway pressure device.

Course Objectives:

• Describe air passage and mechanics of ventilation

• Describe the disease process, recognition, and treatment of

Asthma

• Recite the drug profile for Albuterol

• Describe / demonstrate the use of a hand-held nebulizer device

• Utilize the MA OEMS Protocol for albuterol administration

• Describe the disease process, recognition and treatment of COPD

• Describe the disease process, recognition and treatment of CHF

• Recite the indications and exclusions for the use of CPAP

• Describe the process in which CPAP benefits COPD / CHF

The capnography program is designed to educate paramedics on the indications for capnography, interpretation of readings, normal results, abnormal results associated with disease processes and use with non- breathing patients.

Course Objectives:

• Define the terms that relate to capnography

• Compare and contrast the physiology of ventilation and

oxygenation and the tools to measure each

• Identify significant portions of the capnograph waveform

Explain the clinical applications of capnography

• Apply patriot policy and procedure for the use of capnography

The CPAP program is designed to educate ALS providers about the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, the recognition of CHF and COPD, the indications and contraindications of CPAP, therapeutic advantages of CPAP and the use of specific devices.

Course Objectives:

• Identify and describe anatomical structures associated with

breathing

• Describe the normal physiology / mechanics of respiration

• Identify and compose a treatment plan for patients with CHF

• Identify and compose a treatment plan for patients with COPD

• List the indications and contraindications for use of a CPAP device

• Describe the therapeutic advantage and actions of CPAP

• Describe a post CPAP application assessment and troubleshooting

pressures provided

• Explain the application of the Pulmodyne O2-RESQ device to

patients

The Crime Scene Awareness program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on crime scene operations including scene safety, safety tactics, crime scene operations, evidence preservation, legal aspects and EMS documentation of the crime scene.

Course Objectives:

• Define and describe a crime scene

• Discuss the concept of scene safety in multiple circumstances as it

relates to crime scenes

• Discuss safety tactics to deploy at a potential crime scene

• Describe the initial approach to a crime scene

• Define evidence

• Describe types of evidence and its relationship to patient care

• Describe chain of custody

• Discuss documentation of patient care as it relates to a crime

scene

The Difficult Airway / Airway Introducer program is designed to familiarize the paramedic with grading of airway structures using common scores, common disease processes that can make intubation more difficult, and the proper use of an airway introducer device.

Course Objectives:

• Explain conditions that may interfere with advanced airway

placement

• Explain the Mallampatti airway classification system

• Explain the Cormack and Lehane airway grading system

• Define the indications, precautions, and technique for the Bougie

• Demonstrate proper usage for the Bougie

The Documentation program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on various aspects of the Patient Care Report. Included in the content are introductory materials (including PCR audiences, challenges and fallacies), EMS Finance (including the EMS billing process, Medicare / Medicaid, medical necessity, medical necessity statements and ethics), Legal responsibilities (including overview of legal principals, and documentation musts), Fundamentals of documentation (including clearness, completeness, correctness, consistency and being concise), Documentation Elements (including data elements, EMS event data, demographics, assessment, examination, treatment, affirmation, narrative construction and time management), Refusals (including legal aspects, interview process, and documentation), Incident Report Documentation, Verbal Reports (including pre-hospital radio reports and face to face reports) and Crime Scene Documentation.

This program also contains a narrative writing exercise which will allow instructors to evaluate narrative writing ability by reviewing user submitted narratives.

Course Objectives:

• Recognize the importance and functions of the patient care report

• Recognize documentation challenges

• Identify the various audiences for the patient care report

• Obtain a rudimentary understanding of the EMS billing process

• Describe medical necessity and how it relates to patients receiving

benefits

• Describe the ethical considerations for the Physicians Certification

Statement

• Describe the legal considerations associated with patient care

documentation

• Demonstrate the use of documentation fundamentals while

composing patient care reports

• Recognize the key elements of patient care documentation

• Describe the principles of time management and how it relates to

documentation

• Describe the legal aspects, interview techniques and

documentation fundamentals for documenting a patient care

refusal

• Describe the purpose and procedure for documenting incident

reports

• Describe the format and procedures for pre-hospital and RN

hand-off verbal reports

• Describe the documentation challenges at crime scenes

This course is developed to meet the initial and recertification requirement of the EMR as outlined by the NREMT curriculum.

The Epinephrine for EMTs program is designed to familiarize EMS providers on the process for administering epinephrine with a check and inject program. The course will review the need for and the process of epinephrine IM administration in the absence of an epi-pen.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the rationale for the check and inject program

• Recite the algorithm for epinephrine administration to patients

• Recognize anaphylaxis presentation

• Describe the steps for administering epinephrine using the check

and inject program

The EZ IO Intraosseous Infusion System program is designed to familiarize ALS providers on the indications, contraindications, use of the EZ IO device, patient monitoring, and medication administration. The program is completed exclusively online by viewing manufacturer produced video and instructional materials.

Course Objectives:

• Define the indications and contraindications on using the EZIO

Drill

• Demonstrate proper use of the EZIO Drill

• Monitoring and medication administration through the IO access.

The Fire Safety, Prevention and Response program is designed to familiarize all members of an organization on the characteristics of fire, fire safety techniques, fire prevention, and response to a fire emergency. The program is completed exclusively online by completing a written quiz after viewing an on-line presentation.

The Glucagon for EMT program is designed to familiarize the EMT-B with the administration of intramuscular glucagon for the hypoglycemic patient. Topics covered include glucose homeostasis, type I diabetes, hypoglycemia, glucagon medication profile, and the relationship to statewide treatment protocol.

Course Objectives:

• Explain blood glucose homeostasis

• Explain the type I diabetic disease process

• Explain the patient presentation for hypoglycemia

• Discuss the role glucagon plays in treating the hypoglycemic

patient

• Explain glucagon administration

• Recite SWTP 2.3A and 6.10

The Hazardous Communications program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on identifying and handling hazardous materials that they may come into contact within the workplace.

Course Objectives:

• Recognize common chemicals used in the workplace and reduce

the risk of harm by understanding where to find information

about these chemicals.

• Apply the knowledge of workplace chemicals on EMS scenes

• Properly label chemicals used in the workplace

• Recognize physical and health hazards posed by chemicals in the

workplace and EMS scenes

• Recognize the chemical forms / properties of chemicals found in

the workplace and EMS scenes

• Incorporate safe chemical handling into everyday workplace

activities

The Hazardous Materials Awareness program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on the recognition, identification and management of hazardous materials that may be found on patient care scenes.

Course Objectives:

• Recognize a Hazardous Materials Incident, the certification levels

and operational modes during a Hazardous Materials incident.

• Recognize a hazard by looking for scene clues

Use of the North American Emergency Response Guidebook at

Hazardous Materials incidents.

• Recognize safety procedures that should be implemented by EMS

personnel at the scene of a Hazardous Materials Incident.

The HIPAA training program is designed to review the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Company specific policy and procedure can be placed in the classroom for reference.

Course Objectives:

• Describe the HIPAA history and components of the HIPAA

regulation

• Incorporate the concepts of HIPAA privacy policy into the EMS

workplace

• Describe the administrative components for the HIPAA regulation

The HIV / AIDS training program is designed to review the current information available from the Centers for Disease Control. Statistics, terms, disease transmission, disease progression, treatment and healthcare worker considerations are covered.

Course Objectives:

• Define commonly used terms that relate to HIV/AIDS

• Identify keystone historical events related to HIV/AIDS

• Relate HIV infection statistics based on gender, age, ethnicity and

geographical location

• Incorporate HIV/AIDS infection process, transmission, prevention,

treatment, and testing information into their EMS practice

• Relate the concepts of standard precautions to HIV prevention

The Introduction to Active Shooter Incidents program is designed to familiarize the provider with EMS roles and responsibilities as they relate to active shooter incidents. The program reviews the planning process, operational principles, safety practices and patient care as they relate to incidents.

Course Objectives:

• Define an Active Shooter / MCI incident

• Discuss the responsibilities of responders during an incident

• Recite the citizen response to an active shooter incident

• Describe the operational principles of active shooter incidents

• Describe the patient care guidelines as outlined by the Hartford

Consensus

• Describe the patient care objectives for Hot / Warm / Cold zone

operations

• Describe / demonstrate patient care / safety concepts

• Describe the concepts of cover and conceal

The Kinematics of Trauma program is designed to familiarize the provider with the forces that are encountered by the patient during blunt and penetrating trauma, and how to more accurately predict injury patterns. Topics discussed include the concepts of inertia, energy conservation, force, kinetic energy biomechanics of blunt and penetrating trauma.

Course Objectives:

• Apply Newton’s laws of motion when developing injury index of

suspicion for blunt and penetrating trauma

• Identify the purpose of biomechanics of trauma

• Identify the events of impact, restraint systems, types of impacts /

collisions, and injury patterns associated with blunt force trauma

• Define and apply the phases and types of blast injuries

• Define and apply the concepts associated with ballistics

• Identify the differences between the velocity of a projectile and

the injury caused

• Utilize entry and exit wound sites to predict injury

The Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke program is designed to familiarize the provider with stroke presentation and utilization of the FAST-ED scale to dictate treatment and transport of the patient. Topics discussed include a review of stroke definitive care, the pathophysiology of large vessel occlusion stroke, the FAST-ED assessment tool, stroke mimics, appropriate treatment and transport, the role of EMS, and stroke centers.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the evolution of stroke definitive care and LVO stroke

• Explain the pathophysiology of stroke

• Recite the assessment of stroke patients incorporating the FAST-

ED stroke scale

• Recognize stroke mimics

• Discuss the appropriate treatment of the stroke patient

• Discuss the importance of a stroke alert

• Identify patients needing rapid transport to the most appropriate

definitive care

The Lifting and Moving program is designed to review the anatomy and physiology of the spine, explain body mechanics techniques / principles, provide guidelines for lifting and moving patients, utilization of patient moving equipment and provide and provide principles of back safety.

Course Objectives:

• Explain the anatomy and physiology of the spine and how it

relates to back injuries

• Utilize the principles of body mechanics in their everyday practice

• Communicate effectively with their partners during lifting and

moving of patients

• Explain proper guidelines for lifting and moving patients

• Discuss various patient moving / extrication equipment and

techniques for their use

• Discuss the basic principles of back safety

The Massachusetts Statewide Treatment Update program is designed to familiarize EMS providers with the latest changes to protocol. As part of your One Stop Hubs lease, your learners will have access to this content as it is available. The content is customized for each level of provider and is available to site users one month after release or sooner.

The Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on the newly introduced MOLST form. The EMS provider is given tools to recognize a valid MOLST form and to make treatment decisions based on this medical order.

Course Objectives:

• Define MOLST

• Recognize the key components of the MOLST form

• Differentiate between MOLST and Comfort Care

• Recognize the components of a valid MOLST form

• Implement the MOLST program in their practice

In compliance with the National Registry curriculum, the NCCP course meets and exceeds the requirement. The course includes a practical session as per the National Registry requirements.

In compliance with the National Registry curriculum, the NCCP course meets and exceeds the requirement. The course includes a practical session as per the National Registry requirements.

In compliance with the National Registry curriculum, the NCCP course meets and exceeds the requirement. The course includes a practical session as per the National Registry requirements.

The Obstetrics / Gynecology program is designed to familiarize EMS providers on with the reproductive anatomy and physiology, the process of normal childbirth, pre-delivery emergencies, abnormal birthing presentation, neonatal resuscitation, and common gynecological emergencies.

Course Objectives:

• Identify the structure and function of the female reproductive

anatomy

• Identify changes to anatomy / physiology during pregnancy

• Recognize the stages of labor

• Identify and appropriately manage pre-delivery emergencies

• Identify and appropriately manage normal childbirth

• Appropriately assess and manage the neonate

• Identify and appropriately manage abnormal presentations

• Identify and appropriately manage gynecological emergencies

The Intranasal Naloxone program is designed to familiarize BLS providers with the clinical presentation of an opiate overdose, the physiology of opiate agonists and antagonists, the complete drug profile for Naloxone, benefits and disadvantages of the intranasal route and the assessment / treatment of the patient with suspected opiate overdose.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the history of opiate overdose and its effects on society

• Differentiate opiates vs. opoids

• Explain the mechanism for opiates and opiate antagonists

• Identify specific opiates / opioids

• Identify the patient who is experiencing opiate overdose

• List the scene clues and assessment findings associated with

opiate overdose

• Appropriately identify the treatment steps for the opiate overdose

patient

• Describe the drug profile for Naloxone

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Intranasal

medication administration

The Prehospital Use of Ketamine program is designed to familiarize ALS providers on the appropriate use of ketamine in the prehospital environment. Topics in the program include a review of ketamine’s history of use, pharmacology, drug profile, advantages, disadvantages, and relationship to statewide treatment protocol.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the history of ketamine use

• Explain the pharmacology / mechanism of action for ketamine

• Recite the drug profile for ketamine

• Discuss the recognition and treatment of the emergence phenomena

• Discuss the advantages / disadvantages for ketamine use for the behavioral, pain management and airway management

• Discuss how ketamine plays a role in ACEP Pain Control Considerations

• Explain the appropriate ketamine administration for patients in Massachusetts

The Respiratory Emergencies program is designed to familiarize EMS providers on the mechanics of respiration, treatment modalities, pathophysiology, assessment and treatment for patients experiencing a respiratory emergency.

Course Objectives:

• Identify the components of normal respiration

• Identify the patient who has abnormal respiration comparing with normal functioning

• Identify the anatomy of the respiratory system

• Utilize common pre-hospital treatment modalities for treating hypoxia

• Perform a respiratory examination

• Identify patients suffering from various respiratory illness

The Chemical Weapons program is designed to familiarize EMS providers on the history of chemical warfare, different classifications of chemical agents, the pathophysiology, recognition and treatment of specific agents.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the history and progression of chemical weapons

• Classify specific agents of concern

• Describe the mechanism of toxicity, recognition and treatment of nerve agents, blistering agents, choking agents, blood / asphyxiant agents, incapacitating agents, and vomiting agents

The Explosive / Nuclear weapons program is designed to familiarize EMS providers on the history of terrorist warfare, the properties of explosive / nuclear devices, the pathophysiology, recognition and treatment of specific devices.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the history and progression of explosive weapons

• Utilize the phases of the blast to identify possible injury

• Utilize the four categories of injury from a blast to treat patients

• Identify and treat the probable injury patterns from a blast

• Incorporate the concept of secondary devices into the scene size up

• Provide proper pre-hospital treatment to blast injured patients.

• Discuss the concepts of irradiation and nuclear energy release

• Compare energy release from a nuclear device to probable injury

• Discuss the pathophysiology of radiation

• Provide proper pre-hospital treatment to radiation patients.

• Utilize scene safety techniques to prevent exposure to radiation

The SSI program is designed to familiarize EMS providers on the anatomy and physiology of the spine, assessment of traumatic spinal injury, specific spine disorders, and the use of the Massachusetts Selective Spinal Immobilization Protocol.

Course Objectives:

• Identify the anatomy and physiology of the spinal column / cord

• Perform an appropriate neurological assessment

• Identify various mechanisms of injury

• Differentiate spinal and neurogenic shock

• Utilize the Massachusetts selective spinal immobilization protocol

The Sexual Harassment program defines sexual harassment, reviews company liability and policy, the consequences of harassment claims, and employee responsibilities. Scenarios are presented to make clear what constitutes sexual harassment.

The SMART Triage System program is designed to familiarize all levels of providers on the use of the SMART triage tags which has been adopted as the standard MCI tag in Massachusetts. The program reviews MCI criteria, patient assessment criteria to categorize patients, and the overall process on an MCI scene.

Course Objectives:

• Define MCI and triage

• Assign a priority to patients involved in an MCI

• Utilize the SMART triage tag to indicate patient priority

• Utilize the SMART triage tag to document patient care

• Utilize the SMART triage tag to identify contamination status

• Utilize the SMART triage tag to track patient transportation

The Trauma Point of Entry plan is designed to present the 2011 Trauma Point of Entry Guidelines. The program includes the CDC Field Triage Decision Scheme, its adopted components and its history of change. Regional Trauma Point of Entry Plans are included in the course material.

Course Objectives:

• Recognize the importance of accurate field triage

• Discuss the history of the American College of Surgeons Field Triage Decision Scheme

• Discuss the changes in the 2006 Field Triage Decision Scheme

• Implement the criteria adopted by Massachusetts

The TXA and Norepinephrine Review program is designed to familiarize ALS providers with the proper use of these medications. The program includes statewide treatment protocol and drug profiles for TXA and Norpinephrine.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss Hemostasis

• Discuss MA protocol as it relates to TXA and Norepinephrine

• Discuss adrenergic receptors and their physiology

• Explain the drug profiles (name, classification, mechanism of action, indication, contraindications, adverse reactions, and dosing) for:

• TXA

• Norepinephrine

The vaccinations program presents information on the immune system, types of vaccines, handling, equipment, administration, and patient monitoring. Vaccine preventable diseases and myths / misconceptions are also discussed. COVID-19 vaccination information concludes the program.

Course Objectives:

• Discuss the concept of immunity

• Discuss types of vaccinations and their mechanism

• Describe and demonstrate the vaccine administration process

• Describe the vaccine documentation process

• Discuss vaccine preventable diseases

• Discuss vaccination myths and misconceptions

• Discuss COVID-19 vaccination

The Workplace Safety – COVID-19 program provides instructions on workplace practices that should be used to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. Topics include staying home if sick, social distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene, and cleaning and disinfecting the workplace.

The Workplace Violence program (recognition and response) includes the definition, historical perspectives and statistics of workplace violence. Risk factors, types, prevention and response are also addressed. A template for workplace violence policy and procedure development is included with the course.