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114-512: Only 5 cases of this virus have ever been reported; all 5 were identified in September and October 2008, and 4 were fatal. Those infections that proved fatal caused death within 10–13 days of showing symptoms. All four patients in which infection proved fatal first showed signs of improvement and then went into respiratory distress, displayed neurological problems, and had circulatory issues that resulted in collapse. The discovery of this novel virus

228-547: A cleaner and a nurse that had contact with the first patient also fell ill. A second nurse was infected through contact with the paramedic. The outbreak had a high case fatality rate with 4 of 5 identified cases resulting in death. The Special Pathogens Unit of the NICD-NHLS together with colleagues from the Special Pathogens Unit of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified

342-564: A nucleoside analog. Ribavirin is a prodrug , which when metabolized resembles purine RNA nucleotides . In this form, it interferes with RNA metabolism required for viral replication. Over five direct and indirect mechanisms have been proposed for its mechanism of action. The enzyme inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPase) dephosphorylates ribavirin triphosphate in vitro to ribavirin monophosphate, and ITPase reduced enzymatic activity present in 30% of humans potentiates mutagenesis in hepatitis C virus. Ribavirin's amide group can make

456-518: A "Hit Hard Hit Early" approach treating SARS with high doses of off-label steroids and Ribavirin. Unfortunately, it later turned out this haphazard approach was at best ineffective and at worst fatal, with many deaths attributed to SARS caused by ribavirin toxicity. Ribavirin is the INN and USAN , whereas tribavirin is the BAN . Brand names of generic forms include Copegus, Ribasphere, Rebetol. Ribavirin

570-625: A Primary Care Paramedic, although it is starting to head towards a university degree-based program. The province of Ontario announced that by September 2021, the entry level primary care paramedic post-secondary program would be enhanced from a two-year diploma to a three-year advanced diploma in primary care paramedicine. Resultantly, advanced care paramedics in Ontario will require a minimum of four years of post-secondary education and critical care paramedics will require five years of post-secondary education. In Israel, paramedics are trained in either of

684-549: A common hazard faced by paramedics, where safety goggles can be used for eye protection. Underhand protection, paramedics can employ gloves mainly to curb burns. One of the principles of PPE is that choices should be guided by specific risks associated with various emergencies, which warrant different PPE requirements. Paramedic are involved in challenging professions and can be subject to different kinds of psychological stress , for instance, post-traumatic stress disorder , depression , or severe burnout . The psychological aspect

798-432: A dose-escalating adjuvant to specific combinations of genotypes and other medications. Acute hepatitis C infection (within the first 6 months) often does not require immediate treatment, as many infections eventually resolve without treatment. When the decision is made to treat acute hepatitis C, ribavirin may be used as an adjunct to several drug combinations. However, other medications are still preferred. Ribavirin

912-531: A five-year period, and 93% stop treating within 10 years. In the United Kingdom, ambulances were originally municipal services after the end of World War II. Training was frequently conducted internally, although national levels of coordination led to more standardization of staff training. Ambulance services were merged into county-level agencies in 1974, and then into regional agencies in 2006. The regional ambulance services, most often trusts, are under

1026-479: A growing number of these advanced paramedics who are independent and supplementary prescribers. There are also 'Critical Care Paramedics' who specialise in acute emergency incidents. In 2018, the UK government changed legislation allowing Paramedics to independently prescribe, which will open new pathways to Paramedics to progress into. This came into force on 1 April 2018, but did not immediately affect practice as guidance

1140-445: A handful of universities also offer a four-year bachelor's degree component. The national standard course minimum requires didactic and clinical hours for a paramedic program of 1,500 or more hours of classroom training and 500+ clinical hours to be accredited and nationally recognized. Calendar length typically varies from 12 months to upwards of two years, excluding degree options, EMT training, work experience, and prerequisites. It

1254-551: A hospital were identified as comprehensive trauma care, rapid transport to designated trauma facilities, and the presence of medical corpsmen who were trained to perform certain critical advanced medical procedures such as fluid replacement and airway management . As a result of The White Paper , the US government moved to develop minimum standards for ambulance training, ambulance equipment and vehicle design. These new standards were incorporated into Federal Highway Safety legislation and

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1368-486: A paramedic program (then called Mobile Intensive Care Technicians) under the medical direction of Ralph Feichter, MD. In 1969, the initial Los Angeles paramedic training program was instituted in conjunction with Harbor General Hospital, now Harbor–UCLA Medical Center , under the medical direction of J. Michael Criley , MD and James Lewis, MD. In 1969, the Seattle "Medic 1" paramedic program was developed in conjunction with

1482-560: A paramedic varies widely across the world, as EMS providers operate with many different models of care . In the Anglo-American model, paramedics are autonomous decision-makers. In some countries such as the United Kingdom and South Africa, the paramedic role has developed into an autonomous health profession. In the Franco-German model, ambulance care is led by physicians. In some versions of this model, such as France, there

1596-560: A passenger to lie down. In most cases these ambulances were operated by drivers and attendants with little or no medical training, and it was some time before formal training began to appear in some units. An early example was the members of the Toronto Police Ambulance Service receiving a mandatory five days of training from St. John as early as 1889. Prior to World War I motorized ambulances started to be developed, but once they proved their effectiveness on

1710-610: A rapid response vehicle / helicopter. The role of paramedics in Germany has evolved from support to physicians in the field to the central role in pre-hospital emergency care. The development of the profession has been a gradual move from simply transporting patients to hospital, to more advanced treatments in the field. In some countries, the paramedic may take on the role as part of a system to prevent hospitalization entirely and, through practitioners, are able to prescribe certain medications , or undertaking 'see and refer' visits, where

1824-634: A result, many people with AIDS sought to obtain black market ribavirin via buyer's clubs . The drug was approved for investigational use against hantavirus in the United States in 1993, but the results from a non-randomized uncontrolled trial were not encouraging: 71% of recipients became anemic and 47% died. In 2002 with the SARS outbreak , early speculation focused on ribavirin as a possible anti-SARS agent. Early protocols adopted in Hong Kong adopted

1938-513: A role beginning to require a foundation degree in countries such as Australia , South Africa , the UK , and increasingly in Canada and parts of the U.S. such as Oregon , where a degree is required for entry level practice. As a part of Emergency Medicine Reform in 2017 Ministry of Healthcare introduced two specialties — "paramedic" and " emergency medical technician ". Paramedics are employed by

2052-429: A role that practices independently in the pre-hospital environment in a capacity similar to that of a nurse practitioner . This is a fully autonomous role, and such senior paramedics are now working in hospitals, community teams such as rapid response teams, and also in increasing numbers in general practice, where their role includes acute presentations, complex chronic care and end of life management. They work as part of

2166-731: A set of skills practised by paramedics in the pre-hospital setting commonly includes: Paramedics carry and administer a wide array of emergency medications . The specific medications they are permitted to administer vary widely, based on local standards of care and protocols. For an accurate description of permitted drugs or procedures in a given location, it is necessary to contact that jurisdiction directly. A representative list of medications may commonly include: As described above, many jurisdictions have different levels of paramedic training, leading to variations in what procedures different paramedics may perform depending upon their qualifications. Three common general divisions of paramedic training are

2280-415: A shift in emphasis from patient transport to treatment both on scene and en route to hospitals. This led to some services changing their descriptions from "ambulance services" to " emergency medical services ". The training, knowledge-base, and skill sets of both paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) were typically determined by local medical directors based primarily on the perceived needs of

2394-745: A training program to educate paramedics on job hazards, and supplying PPE such as respirators, gloves, and isolation gowns when dealing with biological hazards. Infectious disease has become a major concern, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic . In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies and organizations have issued guidance regarding workplace hazard controls for COVID-19 . Some specific recommendations include modified call queries, symptom screening, universal PPE use, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and stringent disinfection protocols. Research on ambulance ventilation systems found that aerosols often recirculate throughout

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2508-813: A treatment for herpes simplex virus . One small study found that ribavirin treatment reduced the severity of herpes outbreaks and promoted recovery, as compared with placebo treatment. Another study found that ribavirin potentiated the antiviral effect of acyclovir . Some interest has been seen in its possible use as a treatment for cancers with elevated eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as well as in head and neck cancers. Ribavirin targeted eIF4E in AML patients in monotherapy and combination studies and this corresponded to objective clinical responses including complete remissions. Ribavirin resistance in AML patients arose leading to loss of eIF4E targeting and relapse. Resistance

2622-410: A variety of different organizations, and the services they provide may occur under differing organizational structures, depending on the part of the world. A new and evolving role for paramedics involves the expansion of their practice into the provision of relatively basic primary health care and assessment services. Some paramedics have begun to specialize their practice, frequently in association with

2736-546: Is an antiviral medication used to treat illness caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, as well as some viral hemorrhagic fevers . For HCV, it is used in combination with other medications, such as simeprevir , sofosbuvir , peginterferon alfa-2b or peginterferon alfa-2a . It can also be used for viral hemorrhagic fevers—specifically, for Lassa fever , Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever , and Hantavirus infections (with exceptions for Ebola or Marburg virus diseases ). Ribavirin

2850-434: Is an emergency or routine operation. Such regulatory bodies, as the ones promoting national and global safety standards, ensure that evidence-based approaches reinforce adherence to their occupational health being safeguarded. Throughout the evolution of pre-hospitalization care, there has been an ongoing association with military conflict. One of the first indications of a formal process for managing injured people dates from

2964-421: Is an extra risk for CVDs because of the heaviness of emergency response operations. There is a need to emphasize cancer risk and the importance of constant exploration and individualized prevention patterns. Besides, there is the cumulative effect of fatigue, violence, and trauma on the health of paramedics. As a result, there is a need for systematic monitoring and preventive measures in health among paramedics. It

3078-422: Is closely related to other healthcare positions, especially the emergency medical technician , with paramedics often being at a higher grade with more responsibility and autonomy following substantially greater education and training. The primary role of a paramedic is to stabilize people with life-threatening injuries and transport these patients to a higher level of care (typically an emergency department). Due to

3192-620: Is common for Paramedics to continue to progress through "top up" courses, for instance, to work towards a Bachelors of Science degree. This has led to Paramedics holding a wide range of qualifications, with some qualifications (such as master's degrees in Advanced or Paramedic Practice) being a pre-requisite for paramedic prescribing. Paramedics work in various settings including NHS and Independent Ambulance Providers, Air Ambulances, Emergency Departments and other alternative settings. Some paramedics have gone on to become Paramedic Practitioners ,

3306-991: Is critical. Including, the immediate disposal of sharps in puncture-resistant containers and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and strict adherence to post-exposure protocols, enhances safety. Additionally, staying updated with vaccinations , including those for flu , COVID-19 , Hepatitis B . Furthermore, adhering to infection control practices, such as hand hygiene , environmental cleaning, and specialized control programs, are vital for preventing infections like MRSA , TB , and COVID-19 . Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage in implementation and vaccination compliance are effective transmission reduction measures for infectious diseases among paramedics. Exposures to blood pathogens and body fluids through incidents, for example, needlestick injuries which jeopardizes paramedics at risk of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis B , and Hepatitis C , and HIV affecting around 6,000 EMS workers. This realization strengthens

3420-494: Is expected to be 7–13 days. VHF symptoms appear similar to other viruses of the same family, such as Lassa fever. The known symptoms include swelling in the neck and face, sore throat, diarrhea, and a rash resembling measles on the face and body. Blood tests of those infected revealed elevated liver values, white blood cell counts that were first low and then elevated over time, and low platelet counts. In-depth research into Lujo virus and its treatment have been difficult because of

3534-420: Is intertwined with the nature of the paramedics' work. Exposure to traumatic events such as accidents, medical emergencies , and violence are some of the factors undermining the psychological health of paramedics. Mental health issues, including depression , anxiety , and substance abuse , are some of the mental health issues paramedics are likely to get exposed to due to their nature of work as compared to

Lujo mammarenavirus - Misplaced Pages Continue

3648-749: Is more abundant than the RMP metabolite which is the IMPDH ligand. RTP binds to eIF4E in its cap-binding site as observed by NMR. Ribavirin inhibits eIF4E activities in cells including in its RNA export, translation and oncogenic activities lines. In AML patients treated with ribavirin, ribavirin blocked the nuclear import of eIF4E through interfering with its interaction with its nuclear importer, Importin 8, thereby impairing its nuclear activities. Clinical relapse in AML patients corresponded to loss of ribavirin binding leading to nuclear re-entry of eIF4E and re-emergence of its nuclear activities. Ribavirin

3762-506: Is more of a mystery, especially given the complete inactivity of ribavirin's 2' deoxyribose analogue, which suggests that the drug functions only as an RNA nucleoside mimic, and never a DNA nucleoside mimic. Ribavirin 5'-monophosphate inhibits cellular inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase , thereby depleting intracellular pools of GTP. The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E plays multiple roles in RNA metabolism with translation being

3876-666: Is necessary to study long-term health risks for paramedics and apply a prophylactic approach to maintaining the health state of healthcare professionals. The regulatory guidelines are fundamental in eliminating occupational risk in paramedicine ; authoritative bodies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide specific guidelines. For example, in United States, physical , chemical , and biological hazards are managed by operating under

3990-480: Is no direct equivalent to a paramedic. Ambulance staff have either the more advanced qualifications of a physician or less advanced training in first aid . In other versions of the Franco-German model, such as Germany, paramedics do exist. Their role is very similar to the role of paramedics in the Anglo-American model with an advanced scope of autonomy and practice, and the added element of emergency physician backup, either virtually ( Tele-Notarzt ) or on scene with

4104-400: Is not approved in the United States for treatment of viruses other than HCV. For chronic HCV infection, the oral (capsule or tablet) form of ribavirin is used only in combination with pegylated interferon alfa . Statins may improve this combination's efficacy in treating hepatitis C. When possible, genotyping of the specific viral strain is done; and ribavirin is only used as

4218-430: Is possibly best viewed as a ribosyl purine analogue with an incomplete purine 6-membered ring. This structural resemblance historically prompted replacement of the 2' nitrogen of the triazole with a carbon (which becomes the 5' carbon in an imidazole ), in an attempt to partly "fill out" the second ring--- but to no great effect. Such 5' imidazole riboside derivatives show antiviral activity with 5' hydrogen or halide, but

4332-549: Is primarily used to treat chronic hepatitis C and viral hemorrhagic fevers (an orphan indication in most countries). Its efficacy for these purposes has been questioned in light of its Food and Drug Administration boxed warning against its use as monotherapy for chronic hepatitis C. Thus, it may be prescribed in the United States only as an adjunct to one or more other medications. Its efficacy against viruses other than HCV, including those that cause viral hemorrhagic fever, has not been conclusively demonstrated. In effect, it

4446-683: Is required to be a certified Emergency Medical Technician prior to starting paramedic training. Entry requirements vary, but many paramedic programs also have prerequisites such as one year required work experience as an emergency medical technician , or anatomy and physiology courses from an accredited college or university. Paramedics in some states must attend up to 50+ hours of ongoing education, plus maintain Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. National Registry requires 70 + hours to maintain its certification or one may re-certify through completing

4560-469: Is the 3-carboxamidine derivative of the parent 3-carboxamide, first reported in 1973 by J. T. Witkowski et al., and now called taribavirin (former names "viramidine" and "ribamidine"). This drug shows a similar spectrum of antiviral activity to ribavirin, which is not surprising as it is now known to be a pro-drug for ribavirin. Taribavirin, however, has useful properties of less erythrocyte-trapping and better liver-targeting than ribavirin. The first property

4674-578: Is the only known treatment for a variety of viral hemorrhagic fevers , including Lassa fever , Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever , Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever , and Hantavirus infection, although data regarding these infections are scarce and the drug might be effective only in early stages. It is noted by the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) that "Ribavirin has poor in vitro and in vivo activity against

Lujo mammarenavirus - Misplaced Pages Continue

4788-571: Is uncertain. To date this virus has only been reported from a patient from Zambia and a subsequent nosocomial outbreak in South Africa . Viruses from the Arenaviridae family, to which Lujo virus belongs, almost always have a rodent reservoir , with one virus in the family having a bat reservoir. Contact with an infected rodent host, its urine or fecal matter, inhalation of dust with virus particles, or eating food containing remnants of

4902-486: Is usually taken orally (by mouth) or inhaled . Despite widespread usage, it has faced scrutiny in the 21st century because of lack of proven efficacy in treating viral infections for which it has been prescribed in the past. Its common side effects include fatigue, headache, nausea, fever, muscle pains, and an irritable mood. Serious side effects include red blood cell breakdown , liver problems , and allergic reactions . Its use during pregnancy can bring harm to

5016-787: The Crusades , with the Knights Hospitaller of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem filling a similar function; this organisation continued, and evolved into what is now known throughout the Commonwealth of Nations as the St. John Ambulance and as the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps in the Republic of Ireland and various countries. While civilian communities had organized ways to deal with prehospitalisation care and transportation of

5130-609: The Harborview Medical Center under the medical direction of Leonard Cobb, MD. The Marietta (GA) initial paramedic project was instituted in the Fall of 1970 in conjunction with Kennestone Hospital and Metro Ambulance Service, Inc. under the medical direction of Luther Fortson, MD. The Los Angeles County and City established paramedic programs following the passage of The Wedsworth-Townsend Act in 1970. Other cities and states passed their own paramedic bills, leading to

5244-549: The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to call themselves a paramedic. In the United States, a similar system is operated by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) , although this is only accepted by forty of the fifty states. As paramedicine has evolved, a great deal of both the curriculum and skill set has existed in a state of flux. Requirements often originated and evolved at

5358-467: The Imperial Legions of Rome , where aging Centurions , no longer able to fight, were given the task of organizing the removal of the wounded from the battlefield and providing some form of care. Such individuals, although not physicians , were probably among the world's earliest surgeons by default, being required to suture wounds and complete amputations . A similar situation existed in

5472-623: The PARAMEDICS International magazine. Ron Stewart , the show's medical director , was instrumental in organizing emergency health services in southern California earlier in his career during the 1970s, in the paramedic program in Pittsburgh, and had a substantial role in the founding of the paramedic programs in Toronto and Nova Scotia , Canada. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the paramedic field continued to evolve, with

5586-453: The allied health professional team including Doctors, Nurses, physician Associates, Physiotherapists, Associate Physicians, Health Care Assistant and Clinical Pharmacists. Paramedic Practitioners also undertake examinations modelled upon the MRCGP (a combination of applied knowledge exams, clinical skills and work place based assessment) in order to use the title "specialist". There are also now

5700-707: The filoviruses ( Ebola and Marburg ) and the flaviviruses ( dengue , yellow fever , Omsk hemorrhagic fever , and Kyasanur forest disease )" The aerosol form has been used in the past to treat respiratory syncytial virus -related diseases in children, although the evidence to support this is rather weak. Despite questions surrounding its efficacy, ribavirin remains the only antiviral known to be effective in treating Lassa fever. It has been used (in combination with ketamine , midazolam , and amantadine ) in treatment of rabies . Experimental data indicate that ribavirin may have useful activity against canine distemper and poxviruses . Ribavirin has also been used as

5814-525: The military . The majority of paramedics are employed by the emergency medical service for their area, although this employer could itself be working under a number of models, including a specific autonomous public ambulance service, a fire department, a hospital based service, or a private company working under contract. In Washington , firefighters have been offered free paramedic training. There are also many paramedics who volunteer for backcountry or wilderness rescue teams, and small town rescue squads. In

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5928-660: The United States' first EKG telemetry transmission to a hospital and then in 1968, a functional paramedic program in conjunction with the City of Miami Fire Department. In 1969, the City of Columbus Fire Department joined with the Ohio State University Medical Center to develop the "HEARTMOBILE" paramedic program under the medical direction of James Warren, MD and Richard Lewis, MD. In 1969, the Haywood County (NC) Volunteer Rescue Squad developed

6042-615: The authority of the National Health Service and there is now a significant standardization of training and skills. The UK model has three levels of ambulance staff. In increasing order of clinical skill these are: emergency care assistants , emergency medical technicians , and paramedics. Today, university qualifications are expected for paramedics, with the current entry level being a Bachelor of Science degree in Pre-Hospital Care or Paramedic Science. As

6156-400: The baby, and the other is regarding the risk of red blood cell breakdown. Ribavirin should not be given with zidovudine because of the increased risk of anemia; concurrent use with didanosine should likewise be avoided because of an increased risk of mitochondrial toxicity . It is a guanosine (ribonucleic) analog used to stop viral RNA synthesis and viral mRNA capping, thus, it is

6270-458: The back and neck, and injuries are most prevalent while responding to 911 calls, which include patient care and transport. These injuries are prevalent but not impossible to overcome; they require preventive measures to minimize the chance of them happening. Safe lifting techniques and patient-handling equipment are major factors in reducing paramedics’ physical injury risk. Workers with less than 10 years’ experience are most at risk, pointing to

6384-524: The basic technician, general paramedic or advanced technician, and advanced paramedic. Common skills that these three certification levels may practice are summarized in the table below. The skills for the higher levels automatically also assume those listed for lower levels. Emergency Medical Technician - United States (120-200 hrs. education) Emergency Medical Responder - Canada (80 hrs. education) Ribavirin Ribavirin , also known as tribavirin ,

6498-469: The battlefield during the war the concept spread rapidly to civilian systems. In terms of advanced skills, once again the military led the way. During World War II and the Korean War battlefield medics administered painkilling narcotics by injection in emergency situations, and pharmacists' mates on warships were permitted to do even more without the guidance of a physician. The Korean War also marked

6612-404: The battlefield to their own communities, and commenced the creation of volunteer life-saving squads and ambulance corps. These early developments in formalized ambulance services were decided at local levels, and this led to services being provided by diverse operators such as the local hospital, police, fire brigade, or even funeral directors who often possessed the only local transport allowing

6726-525: The best described. Biophysical and NMR studies first revealed that ribavirin directly bound the eIF4E,  providing another mechanism for its action. H Ribavirin also interacts with eIF4E in cells. While inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) presumably only binds the ribavirin monophosphate metabolite (RMP), eIF4E can bind ribavirin and with higher affinity ribavirin's phosphorylated forms. In many cell lines, studies into steady state levels of metabolites indicate that ribavirin triphosphate (RTP)

6840-437: The community along with affordability. There were also large differences between localities in the amount and type of training required, and how it would be provided. This ranged from in-service training in local systems, through community colleges, and up to university level education. This emphasis on increasing qualifications has followed the progression of other health professions such as nursing , which also progressed from on

6954-418: The compartment, creating a health hazard for paramedics when transporting sick patients capable of airborne transmission. Unidirectional airflow design can better protect workers. To further safeguard paramedics, incorporating evidence-based strategies for managing chemical exposures and environmental risks is crucial. Agencies such as OSHA , WHO and NIOSH offer comprehensive guidelines that highlight

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7068-401: The developing fetus. Effective birth control is recommended for both males and females for at least seven months during and after use. The mechanism of action of ribavirin is not entirely clear. Ribavirin was patented in 1971 and approved for medical use in 1986. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines . It is available as a generic medication . Ribavirin

7182-430: The early days medical control and oversight was direct and immediate, with paramedics calling into a local hospital and receiving orders for every individual procedure or drug. While this still occurs in some jurisdictions, it has become increasingly rare. Day-to-day operations largely moved from direct and immediate medical control to pre-written protocols or standing orders, with the paramedic typically seeking advice after

7296-425: The emergency care of patients. Not all ambulance personnel are paramedics, although the term is sometimes used informally to refer to any ambulance personnel. In some English-speaking countries, there is an official distinction between paramedics and emergency medical technicians (or emergency care assistants ), in which paramedics have additional educational requirements and scope of practice. The paramedic role

7410-640: The environment in which they will work. Some early examples of this involved aviation medicine and the use of helicopters , and the transfer of critical care patients between facilities. While some jurisdictions still use physicians, nurses, and technicians for transporting patients, increasingly this role falls to specialized senior and experienced paramedics. Other areas of specialization include such roles as tactical paramedics working in police units, marine paramedics, hazardous materials ( Hazmat ) teams, Heavy Urban Search and Rescue , and paramedics on offshore oil platforms , oil and mineral exploration teams, and in

7524-526: The etiological agent of the outbreak as an Old World arenavirus using molecular and serological tests. Sequencing and phylogenetic investigation of partial genome sequencing indicated that this virus was not Lassavirus and likely a previously unreported arenavirus. This was corroborated by full genome sequencing that was conducted by the NICD-NHLS, CDC and collaborators from Columbia University in New York . The distribution of this newly described arenavirus

7638-534: The first widespread use of helicopters to evacuate the wounded from forward positions to medical units, leading to the rise of the term " medevac ". These innovations would not find their way into the civilian sphere for nearly twenty more years. By the early 1960s experiments in improving medical care had begun in some civilian centres. One early experiment involved the provision of pre-hospital cardiac care by physicians in Belfast , Northern Ireland, in 1966. This

7752-677: The following ways: a three-year degree in Emergency Medicine (B.EMS), a year and three months IDF training, or MADA training. Paramedics manage and provide medical guidelines in mass casualty incidents . They operate in MED evac and ambulances. They are legalized under the 1976 Doctors Ordinance (Decree). In a 2016 study at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev it was found that 73% of trained paramedics stop working within

7866-514: The form of environmental and operational risks , primarily during transportation. These transportation-related hazards should be considered and addressed in prehospital care . Slips, trips, and falls; motor vehicle incidents ; and violence or assaults have huge impact on paramedics' occupational hazards , resulting to thousands of paramedics impacted annually. Vehicle safety features need to be known by paramedics, and so must undergo exhaustive emergency driving training, which looks into curbing

7980-472: The formation of services across the US. Many other countries also followed suit, and paramedic units formed around the world. In the military, however, the required telemetry and miniaturization technologies were more advanced, particularly due to initiatives such as the space program . It would take several more years before these technologies drifted through to civilian applications. In North America, physicians were judged to be too expensive to be used in

8094-407: The general population. Stable support systems that may include peer counselling and the availability of mental health resources become essential in building the resilience of paramedic professionals. Peer counselling programs appear to be an effective stress management strategy for paramedics. Taking part in open discussions with other peers who understand what the employee is going through determines

8208-452: The guidelines and recommendations offered by NIOSH and OSHA , targeting the healthcare industry especially. These include properly using PPE , handling hazardous substances, and adequately managing workplace violence . Moreover, the WHO provides global views by laying international standards to protect the well-being of the staff involved in the healthcare provided, irrespective of whether it

8322-431: The infection was fatal. The fifth case was treated with ribavirin early after onset of clinical disease (was detected through active contact tracing), an antiviral drug which is effective in treating Lassa fever , and survived; however, complete ribavirin's effectiveness against Lujo virus remains unknown but may be useful as adjunctive therapy. Paramedic A paramedic is a healthcare professional trained in

8436-532: The integration of safety protocols, technological advancements, and procedural innovations to enhance paramedic safety and well-being. Paramedics are widely recognized to face high risks of physical injuries in their line of work. More than 22,000 EMS providers visit the emergency room each year for work-related injuries. Some physical injuries encountered when providing healthcare services include lifting injuries, back strains , and needlestick incidences. Injuries such as sprains and strains mostly occur in

8550-459: The job training to university level qualifications. The variations in educational approaches and standards required for paramedics has led to large differences in the required qualifications between locations—both within individual countries and from country to country. Within the UK training is a three-year course equivalent to a bachelor's degree . Comparisons have been made between Paramedics and nurses; with nurses now requiring degree entry (BSc)

8664-412: The knowledge deficit is large between the two fields. This has led to many countries passing laws to protect the title of "paramedic" (or its local equivalent) from use by anyone except those qualified and experienced to a defined standard. This usually means that paramedics must be registered with the appropriate body in their country; for example all paramedics in the United Kingdom must by registered with

8778-444: The lack of economic and cultural stability of the regions where the only known cases have occurred. Under Treatment with oral ribavirin treatment, the patient 5 continued to deteriorate but the treatment shifted to i.v on day 8 it seemed to have cured the only surviving patient with Lujo Virus, but because the 5 affected in 2008 have been the only cases identified, there has not been much opportunity for further research. Sequencing of

8892-565: The larger the substituent, the smaller the activity, and all proved less active than ribavirin. Note that two natural products were already known with this imidazole riboside structure: substitution at the 5' carbon with OH results in pyrazofurin , an antibiotic with antiviral properties but unacceptable toxicity, and replacement with an amino group results in the natural purine synthetic precursor 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside ( AICAR ), which has only modest antiviral properties. The most successful ribavirin derivative to date

9006-577: The late 1970s, the Virus-Cancer program was widely considered a failure, and the drug development was abandoned. After the US Government announced that AIDS was caused by a retrovirus in 1984, drugs examined during the Virus-Cancer program and its focus on retroviruses were re-examined. Although the FDA first approved ribavirin as an antiviral in 1986, it was not indicated to treat HIV or AIDS. As

9120-625: The less controlled pre-hospital environment. Physicians began to take more interest in paramedics from a research perspective as well. By about 1990, the fluctuating trends began to diminish, being replaced by outcomes-based research. This research then drove further evolution of the practice of both paramedics and the emergency physicians who oversaw their work, with changes to procedures and protocols occurring only after significant research demonstrated their need and effectiveness (an example being ALS ). Such changes affected everything from simple procedures such as CPR , to changes in drug protocols. As

9234-401: The local level, and were based upon the preferences of physician advisers and medical directors. Recommended treatments would change regularly, often changing more like a fashion than a scientific discipline. Associated technologies also rapidly evolved and changed, with medical equipment manufacturers having to adapt equipment that worked inadequately outside of hospitals, to be able to cope with

9348-450: The medical model, whose main role has historically been to respond to emergency calls for medical help outside of a hospital. Paramedics work as part of the emergency medical services (EMS), most often in ambulances . They also have roles in emergency medicine, primary care, transfer medicine and remote/offshore medicine. The scope of practice of a paramedic varies between countries, but generally includes autonomous decision making around

9462-514: The native nucleoside drug resemble adenosine or guanosine, depending on its rotation. For this reason, when ribavirin is incorporated into RNA, as a base analog of either adenine or guanine, it pairs equally well with either uracil or cytosine , inducing mutations in RNA-dependent replication in RNA viruses. Such hypermutation can be lethal to RNA viruses. Neither of these mechanisms explains ribavirin's effect on many DNA viruses, which

9576-542: The nature of their job, paramedics work in many environments, including roadways, people's homes, and depending on their qualifications, wilderness environments, hospitals, aircraft, and with SWAT teams during police operations. Paramedics also work in non-emergency situations, such as transporting chronically ill patients to and from treatment centers and in some areas, address social determinants of health and provide in-home care to ill patients at risk of hospitalization (a practice known as community paramedicine ). The role of

9690-476: The necessary supportive grounds that facilitate managing and processing feelings related to this work. The long-term health risks that need to be observed by the paramedics are Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) , cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) , and cancer risk. There are a variety of challenges paramedics encounter, including PTSD , which should provide a compelling reason to implement preventive mental health measures within this profession. Moreover, there

9804-428: The need for science-based methods in preventing the occupational risks posed by infectious diseases with a foregrounding of the role of preventative measures geared towards protecting the health of paramedic professionals and, at the same time, the community. Paramedics encounter daily risks associated with handling hazardous chemicals . As a result, they must understand how to deliver care safely to remain protected in

9918-529: The need for targeted prevention strategies for newer employees. By employing the proposed measures to reduce physical injuries, it will be possible to mitigate the hazards faced by paramedics, to help paramedics stay safe while rendering the most needed services. The risk of contracting infectious diseases is common in the paramedic profession. The COVID-19 pandemic strengthens the necessity of following safety protocols. Preventive measures for healthcare workers from needlestick injuries and infectious disease

10032-458: The options in the standing orders had been exhausted. While the evolution of paramedicine described above is focused largely on the US, many other countries followed a similar pattern, although often with significant variations. Canada, for example, attempted a pilot paramedic training program at Queen's University , Kingston, Ontario , in 1972. The program, which intended to upgrade the then mandatory 160 hours of training for ambulance attendants,

10146-415: The paramedic directly refers a patient to specialist services without taking them to hospital. Paramedics are exposed to a variety of hazards such as lifting patients and equipment, treating those with infectious disease, handling hazardous substances, and transportation via ground or air vehicles. Employers can prevent occupational illness or injury by providing safe patient handling equipment, implementing

10260-472: The patient on the flight to South Africa also fell ill and was also brought to Johannesburg for medical treatment. At this time the connection between these two patients was recognized by the attending physician in the Johannesburg hospital. Together with the NICD-NHLS the clinical syndrome of VHF was recognized and specimens from the second patient were submitted for laboratory confirmation. In addition,

10374-545: The pre-hospital setting, although such initiatives were implemented, and sometimes still operate, in European countries and Latin America . While doing background research at Los Angeles' UCLA Harbor Medical Center for a proposed new show about doctors, television producer Robert A. Cinader , working for Jack Webb , happened to encounter "firemen who spoke like doctors and worked with them". This concept developed into

10488-487: The profession grew, some paramedics went on to become not just research participants, but researchers in their own right, with their own projects and journal publications. In 2010, the American Board of Emergency Medicine created a medical subspecialty for physicians who work in emergency medical services. Changes in procedures also included the manner in which the work of paramedics was overseen and managed. In

10602-622: The provisions that are the peril of transportation. Paramedics are frequently assaulted by patients or bystanders affecting around 2,000 EMS workers annually, which further hammers the need for training on de-escalation. NIOSH and the Department of Homeland Security have conducted ambulance crash testing, resulting in the development of 10 test methods published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to reduce and eliminate crash-related injuries to EMS workers. Through effective training,

10716-549: The same country or state. For instance, in Canada, the province of British Columbia operates a province-wide service (the British Columbia Ambulance Service ) whereas in Ontario , the service is provided by each municipality, either as a distinct service, linked to the fire service , or contracted out to a third party. While there are varying degrees of training and expectations around the world,

10830-529: The same time in Alberta and British Columbia , with other Canadian provinces gradually following, but with their own education and certification requirements. Advanced Care Paramedics were not introduced until 1984, when Toronto trained its first group internally, before the process spread across the country. By 2010 the Ontario system involved a two-year community college based program, including both hospital and field clinical components, prior to designation as

10944-602: The service provision. They need to remain cautious for them to stay safe in the process of providing care. There are numerous associated risks from chemical exposures in prehospital settings. The use of PPE and standard precautions are necessary to prevent harmful exposures for paramedics. Desirable implementation of the ordered processing of hazardous material and the proper decontamination process are effective strategies in combating hazard risk. Such steps are necessary to ensure fewer cases of health hazards to paramedics. Paramedics are confronted with many challenges exhibited in

11058-587: The sick and dying as far back as the bubonic plague in London between 1598 and 1665, such arrangements were typically ad hoc and temporary. In time, however, these arrangements began to formalize and become permanent. During the American Civil War , Jonathan Letterman devised a system of mobile field hospitals employing the first uses of the principles of triage . After returning home, some veterans began to attempt to apply what had they had seen on

11172-477: The specific case of an ambulance service being maintained by a fire department, paramedics and EMTs may be required to maintain firefighting and rescue skills as well as medical skills, and vice versa. In some instances, such as Los Angeles County , a fire department may provide emergency medical services, but as a rapid response or rescue unit rather than a transport ambulance. The provision of municipal ambulance services and paramedics, can vary by area, even within

11286-469: The states were advised to either adopt these standards into state laws or risk a reduction in Federal highway safety funding. The "White Paper" also prompted the inception of a number of emergency medical service (EMS) pilot units across the US including paramedic programs. The success of these units led to a rapid transition to make them fully operational. Founded in 1967, Freedom House Ambulance Service

11400-421: The television series Emergency! , which ran from 1972 to 1977, portraying the exploits of this new profession called paramedics. The show gained popularity with emergency services personnel, the medical community, and the general public. When the show first aired in 1972, there were just six paramedic units operating in three pilot programs in the whole of the US, and the term paramedic was essentially unknown. By

11514-706: The threat cases are more likely to be mitigated, and the paramedics will have a better chance to provide services as required. One way of ensuring paramedics work at optimal efficiency is to provide them with protective equipment and gear to mitigate the possible risks when executing their duties. PPE keeps paramedics’ occupational risks low. Examples of PPEs include gloves , masks , and gown or specific clothing; they protect workers from physical , biological , and chemical hazards . The different types of PPE include respiratory, eye, face, and hand protection. Under respiratory protection, paramedics can use N95 masks to filter airborne contaminants . Chemical splashes are also

11628-552: The time the program ended in 1977, there were paramedics operating in all fifty states. The show's technical advisor , James O. Page , was a pioneer of paramedicine and responsible for the UCLA paramedic program; he would go on to help establish paramedic programs throughout the US, and was the founding publisher of the Journal of Emergency Medical Services ( JEMS ). The JEMS magazine creation resulted from Page's previous purchase of

11742-440: The title "Paramedic" is legally protected, those utilising must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and in order to qualify for registration you must meet the standards for registration, which include having a degree obtained through an approved course. The change of entry requirements does not affect currently registered Paramedics, some of whom will still only have their entry qualification, but it

11856-517: The viral genome has shown that this virus belongs to the Old World arenavirus group. Comparisons with other viral genome sequences showed that this virus is equidistant from other Old World and New World arenaviruses. It is distantly similar to the other pathogenic African arenavirus, Lassa fever virus. This virus has been associated with an outbreak of five cases of VHF in September and October 2008. In four cases (80% of total known infections)

11970-441: The virus can result in human infection. Transmission can also occur via human-to-human contact, as evidenced by the 5 cases from 2008, but it is still not completely clear how the first case was contracted. Both bats and rodents should be considered possible contact points, just to be safe. Though it is not known for sure, it is speculated that the human-to-human transmission occurs from contact with bodily fluids. The incubation period

12084-427: The written computer based adaptive testing again (between 90 and 120 questions) every two years. Paramedicine continues to grow and evolve into a formal profession in its own right, complete with its own standards and body of knowledge, and in many locations paramedics have formed their own professional bodies . The early technicians with limited training, performing a small and specific set of procedures, has become

12198-582: Was caused by deactivation of ribavirin through its glucuronidation in AML cells or impaired drug entry/retention in the AML cells. There may be additional forms of ribavirin resistance displayed by cancer cells. In HPV related oropharyngeal cancers, ribavirin reduced levels of phosphorylated form of eIF4E in some patients. The best response here was stable disease but another head and neck study had more promising results. The medication has two FDA "black box" warnings: One raises concerns that use before or during pregnancy by either sex may result in birth defects in

12312-424: Was described following a highly fatal nosocomial (hospital) outbreak of VHF in Johannesburg. The identification of this virus was the first new arenavirus discovered in over 40 years. The first case was a female travel agent who lived in the outskirts of Lusaka. She developed a fever which grew worse with time. She was evacuated to Johannesburg for medical treatment. Almost two weeks later, the paramedic that nursed

12426-494: Was first made in 1972 under the National Cancer Institute's Virus-Cancer program. This was done by researchers from International Chemical and Nuclear Corporation including Roberts A. Smith, Joseph T. Witkovski and Roland K. Robins. It was reported that ribavirin was active against a variety of RNA and DNA viruses in culture and in animals, without undue toxicity in the context of cancer chemotherapies. By

12540-469: Was found to be too costly and premature. The program was abandoned after two years, and it was more than a decade before the legislative authority for its graduates to practice was put into place. An alternative program which provided 1,400 hours of training at the community college level prior to commencing employment was then tried, and made mandatory in 1977, with formal certification examinations being introduced in 1978. Similar programs occurred at roughly

12654-650: Was powered by lead-acid car batteries , and weighed around 45 kilograms (99 lb). In 1966, a report called Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society —commonly known as The White Paper —was published in the United States. This paper presented data showing that soldiers who were seriously wounded on the battlefields during the Vietnam War had a better survival rate than people who were seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents on California 's freeways . Key factors contributing to victim survival in transport to definitive care such as

12768-476: Was repeated in Toronto , Canada in 1968 using a single ambulance called Cardiac One , which was staffed by a regular ambulance crew, along with a hospital intern to perform the advanced procedures. While both of these experiments had certain levels of success, the technology had not yet reached a sufficiently advanced level to be fully effective; for example, the Toronto portable defibrillator and heart monitor

12882-430: Was still being written. In the United States, the minimum standards for paramedic training is considered vocational , but many colleges offer paramedic associate degree or bachelor's degree options. Paramedic education programs typically follow the U.S. NHTSA EMS Curriculum, DOT or National Registry of EMTs. While many regionally accredited community colleges offer paramedic programs and two-year associate degrees,

12996-479: Was the first civilian emergency medical service in the United States to be staffed by paramedics , most of whom were Black. New York City's Saint Vincent's Hospital developed the United States' first Mobile Coronary Care Unit (MCCU) under the medical direction of William Grace, MD, and based on Frank Pantridge's MCCU project in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In 1967, Eugene Nagle, MD and Jim Hirschmann, MD helped pioneer

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