EMT-Bs Receive Training on Combitube and IV Therapy

• Graham and Greenlee County EMS
• 2008 Feb 13

On Sept. 15, 2007 Basic EMT’s in Graham and Greenlee Counties in Arizona completed training in IV therapy and the placement of combitubes. The EMT’s received their training at Eastern Arizona College under the guidance of Taylor Payne, prehospital coordinator of Mount Graham Regional Medical Center. There were 15 EMT’s trained during the course. They learned about the fluids they will be able to use, the hazards of IV therapy, the benefits as well. They were given specific criteria for when they will be allowed to start an IV. The EMT’s also received training in relation to the circumstances under which they may initiate and IV. They include, dehydration related to hyperthermia, heat exhaustion, heat stroke or fluid loss from trauma, burns, Cardiac disease or severe allergic reaction, mass causality event, assist ALS partner with cardiac arrest patient. Each EMT was required to start 2 IV’s in class as well complete additional IV’s in the field or clinical setting.

The training on the combitube covered uses of the tube as well as indications and contraindications. Each student was required to use the tube successfully on a mannequin and then pass a written test on the information they had been presented.

The students as of this writing have all completed their required IV starts and most have submitted all required paperwork to Mount Graham Regional Medical Center.

Graham and Greenlee counties are located in Southeast Arizona a rural part of the state, travel times to call can be an hour or more. Between the 2 counties there are 2 paid FT agencies providing service, Southwest Ambulance Service in Graham county and Greenlee County EMS Service. The local Fire departments are all volunteer agencies and not all of them respond to EMS calls. The additional providers now trained in IV therapy and the use of the combitube are of a great value.