Legal Aspects of EMS

(3 hours: Basic, Intermediate and Paramedic levels)

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Purpose: To review and update the knowledge base of EMTs at all levels concerning the legal aspects of EMS.

Goal: To review standard laws and policies, and define and understand all new laws and policies regarding legal issues of this profession.

Objectives:

To understand the basis of consent

To understand mandated reporting of laws

To review operations of emergency vehicles

To understand the legalities of the crime scene.

To review and understand negligence and malpractice

To gain insight into the Homestead Act and how it works

Good Samaritan Laws and how they apply to EMTs

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

2. Legal Principles (10 minutes)
   1. Civil law
   2. Criminal law

3. Operation of Emergency Vehicles (10 minutes)
   1. General laws
      1. Fire engines
      2. Police vehicles
      3. Ambulances

4. Child Abuse (15 minutes)
   1. Mandated reporting
      1. When to report
      2. Where to report
      3. How to report
   2. Consequences of failing to report

5. Elderly Abuse (15 minutes)
   1. Mandated reporting
      1. When to report
      2. Where to report
      3. How to report
   2. Consequences of failing to report

6. Patient Confidentiality (20 minutes)
   1. When it attaches
   2. When it protects

7. Consent (20 minutes)
   1. Actual
   2. Implied
   3. Mentally ill
   4. Minor's
      1. Emancipation and its effect on consent

8. Negligence (15 minutes)
   1. Duty to act
   2. Breech of duty
   3. Causation

9. Abandonment of Patient (10 minutes)

10. Right to Die (15 minutes)
    1. Living wills
    2. DNRs
    3. Health Care Proxy

11. Specific Crimes Encountered by the EMT (10 minutes)

12. Assault on an EMT (10 minutes)

13. Good Samaritan Laws (10 minutes)

14. Summary (10 minutes)

15. Questions and Answers (5 minutes)
    
    

Contact WMEMS:

168 Industrial Drive
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 586-6065
fax (413) 586-0947
E-mail: wmems@wmems.org

Tax deductible donations

WMEMS is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization that accepts tax deductible donations.

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