6 Important Rules for Professional Conduct among Paramedics and EMTs

By Your Health Magazine

Given how critical their duties are, healthcare workers are expected to always conduct themselves with utmost professionalism. This is not only to keep up their credibility as healthcare professionals but also to ensure that their patients are given effective and reliable medical care. Despite the pressure of responding to emergencies, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are still expected to stay calm and practice this same professionalism during stressful situations.

Here are some guidelines that paramedics and EMTs should keep in mind to ensure they stay professional and efficient in responding to emergency calls.

1. Always Put Patients First

Same with other healthcare professionals, paramedics and EMTs like you should always take on a patient-first approach. You should acknowledge every patient as an individual and not just a name on a checklist that you need to get done with by the end of the day. If they are responsive during the emergency situation, then hear out what they are feeling or what they have to say. In addition to helping you assess their condition better, this also imparts a sense of ease to the patient by letting them know their condition is being taken seriously. After all, providing emotional comfort is also part of your duty.

If a patient isn’t responsive, however, then you still have the duty to ensure they are given care with respect to their dignity and privacy. Better yet, make sure to communicate with their family to help you assess how to better provide the care the patient needs.

2. Respect Patients’ Confidential Information

All medical records should remain confidential as these contain private or sensitive information about patients. Thus, paramedics and EMTs should refrain from talking about patient information with anyone who isn’t authorized to hear out the details. This includes leisurely conversations about emergency cases you’ve responded to, and especially not in a rude or jeering manner. Again, remember to give your patients the dignity they deserve.

Fortunately, keeping confidential information secure is straightforward with the help of patient care report software like what Traumasoft provides. With this tech solution, only authorized individuals will be able to access the patients’ information, ensuring that they are safe from anyone who might have criminal intent. Many emergency responders already use such a software to ensure secure and prompt recordkeeping of patient data.

3. Provide Care Regardless of Race, Nationality, Sexual Orientation, Religion, or Socioeconomic Status

Healthcare workers should give care and comfort to their patients without discrimination. Remember that your line of duty concerns preserving human life—and that remains true regardless of their identity. To discriminate against a patient out of personal prejudice is to neglect your medical oath to provide compassionate care to every human.

Following this guideline also helps promote a positive atmosphere, which is valuable in any healthcare setting. After all, you don’t want patients to feel apprehensive or to lie to you out of fear of being discriminated against. In the same vein, treating colleagues equally can also create a more inclusive workplace.

4. Responsibly Perform Duties to the Best of One’s Knowledge and Skills

Professional conduct also means performing your duties to the best of your abilities. Always strive to give your patient the best care you’re able to with the tools and skills at your disposal. Moreover, help your patient make informed decisions about their condition by giving them your unbiased assessment and answering any questions they may have.

In line with this, it is also part of your professional duty to keep on learning to improve your skills. Healthcare workers, including EMTs and paramedics, should always be updated regarding the latest methodologies and technologies so that they’re able to respond better to the needs of their patients. One such technology to be familiar with is EMS scheduling software, which ensures that shifts are efficiently organized, allowing for optimal staffing levels to handle emergencies effectively.

5. Learn to Recognize one’s Limits and Work Together with Others to Overcome Them

Of course, paramedics and EMTs are not miracle workers; thus, there may be instances when their knowledge or skills aren’t enough to adequately attend to a patient’s needs. In such cases, they should first be able to humbly accept their limits instead of recklessly pushing forward as this may only endanger the life of the patient. Then, they should be open to reaching out to their colleagues either for advice or help to provide better care and improve the chances of the patient’s recovery.

6. Report Unethical or Illegal Practices to the Appropriate Authorities

One should never turn a blind eye to medical malpractice or violation of regulations in a healthcare setting as it can put the lives of many patients at risk. It is then one of the tenets of professional conduct to report such cases to appropriate authorities right away to ensure it won’t put patients in danger, as well as damage the credibility of the healthcare organization.

Conclusion

Like any other profession, paramedics and EMTs are also beholden to their duties—in this case, to providing prompt medical care to patients to the best of their abilities. By following these guidelines, you ensure that you’re able to not only conduct yourself properly but also inspire confidence and trust among your patients.