MAO Manual

MODULE 3 – Patient Characteristics

Objectives:

• Understand initial contact with a patient and how to get the person ready for transport • Show familiarity with various patient assistive devices • Discuss common conditions and special needs of patients with specific diagnosis

Beginning a Transport When you first approach a patient to transport them, you have an opportunity to make a good first impression and to get the transport off to the right start. As a general rule, you should begin every transport by:  Introducing yourself to the patient . Do not use informal terms such as “honey” or “sweetie” when addressing patients.  Confirming the destination and/or appointment time  Asking if the passenger needs anything before leaving (documents, purse, medical information, etc)  Evaluating patient’s clothing, keeping the current weather in mind  Addressing any special needs (locking door, putting out water for pet, etc) Following these steps will insure that your patient knows the plan for the transport, and that he or she has minimal anxieties about leaving their home or facility. Types of Disabilities Patients you transport may need mobility assistance for a variety of reasons. Some will have physical disabilities, others will have mental disabilities, and others may have sensory disabilities. Others still may have a combination of these disabilities. These deficits may pose a considerable challenge to you as you prepare to transport the patient to his or her destination. It is important for you as the MAVO to be familiar with the many types of disabilities so that you can better prepare to assist your patient.

Physical Disabilities Patients will physical disabilities have some kind of muscular or bone that makes moving or weight bearing difficult. These patients will need more physical help than other patients as they will need to be moved, lifted, or otherwise assisted physically. An important concept with these patients is the idea that the MAVO should provide only the assistance necessary, and should allow the paitent to do as much for him or herself as possible. For example, let us say that a patient is wheelchair bound, but can transfer independently from the bed to the wheelchair. An MAVO should allow the patient to move to the wheelchair himself (staying close to prevent a fall) and then assist the patient by pushing and loading the wheelchair. The MAVO should not overassist by lifting the patient from the bed to the wheelchair. Examples of physical disabilities - Broken hip - Paralysis - Generalized weakness Mental Disabilities Patients with mental disabilities will have a psychiatric or psychological deficit of some type. Patients with mental disabilities can range from developmentally immature (they behave as a child would), to consfused, to occasionally beligerent. When a patient is diagnosed as potentially aggressive, he or she will generally be scheduled for ambulance