STARS Train the Trainer Class (TtT) - Beta-Caring for CMC at Home

Caring for CMC at Home - Family Checklist for EMS

Pdf Summary

This document outlines a checklist for arranging a home or station visit with your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team to prepare for emergencies involving a child with medical complexity. It first advises identifying the EMS provider that would respond to your address, then calling their non-emergency number (which can be obtained from the discharging hospital or city hall). When contacting EMS, you should introduce yourself and your child as residents within their service area, explain your child’s medical history, and ask whether the team has the training and protocols needed to support your child during an emergency. If additional training is needed, the checklist suggests speaking with the EMS training officer, sharing relevant educational materials (such as the referenced course), and exploring outreach support from specialty hospitals or clinics.<br /><br />The document recommends asking whether a home or station visit is possible. During that visit, EMS should be encouraged to meet your child and understand what is normal for them in appearance and interaction. Families should review the child’s daily equipment and medication needs, as well as the emergency “Go Bag” and its contents. The checklist also advises discussing which hospital is closest to your home and what type of transport would be most appropriate in an emergency. Finally, it suggests asking whether there is a local system for sharing critical emergency information with responders (for example, Vial of Life or an Emergency Information Form, and other regional programs). The document notes that additional learning is available through a PPN course.

Keywords

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

home or station visit

child with medical complexity

emergency preparedness checklist

non-emergency EMS contact number

EMS training and protocols

EMS training officer

medical equipment and medications

emergency Go Bag

Emergency Information Form (Vial of Life)