THE UBTH PARAMEDIC PROGRAM
Services:
A Paramedic is a health care professional that renders emergency care to individuals predominantly in the out of hospital environment.
Working Days & Hours:
Monday to Sunday (8:30 to 8:00pm)
Ongoing Research:
Different Researches are on going
Other Information:
A Paramedic is the highest level of Pre-hospital health care giver. The Paramedic wields skills and know-how, to manage health issues including Medical and Traumatic problems before the patients are transported to the hospital. They work as members of the Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Their skills include: Oxygen Administration, Wound Dressing, Intramuscular Drug Administration, Intravenous Access, Cardiac Arrest Care, Endotracheal Intubation amongst others.
Paramedics in this century have an expanded role. They can work in the Emergency Department, Rehabilitation Unit, with the Police, Army and Various Security Agencies (Tactical EMS), Road Safety Agencies, Airports and so on. Currently there are 40 paramedics employed by the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.These Paramedics work In hospital activities. The Paramedics currently work in the Trauma and Medical Emergency sections of the Accident and Emergency unit.
TRAUMA EMERGENCY
The Paramedics in collaboration with the Doctors and Nurses perform triaging of patients as they enter the unit, they sort out all patients to determine whether they present with a medical or surgical/traumatic condition so that they can be moved to the appropriate section. In assisting the doctors, the Paramedics resuscitate the patients and carry out medical procedures including, but not limited to Oxygen administration, administration of drugs, Wound Dressing, Urethral Catheterization, Blood Sample Collection and Documentation. The Paramedics also transfer patients to the Radiological Department to perform X-rays, Ultrasound Scans, CT-Scans and other Radiological Investigations.
MEDICAL EMERGENCY
The Medical Emergency of UBTH receives patients with Medical Conditions including but not limited to Diabetic Emergencies, Hypertensive Emergencies, Asthma, Stroke, Meningitis, Exacerbation of Mental Health Conditions, and Hematological Emergencies. As part of the Medical Emergency Team(MET) which includes the Doctors, Nurses, Paramedics, and Porters, the Paramedics carry out Medical Procedures on the patients.
NEUROSURGICAL UNIT / WARD
The Paramedics are also stationed in the Neurosurgical ward; they augment the Doctors and Nurses in the ward, systematically moving patients to perform X-Rays, Ultrasound Scans, CT-Scans and other Radiological investigations. They also assist in rendering acute care to patients in the ward including rehabilitation.
Radiotherapy unit Supporting the Doctors in the Radiological Department. The Paramedics render acute care to the patients and collect blood samples, initiate blood transfusion and administer chemotherapeutical agents to the patients.
PRE-HOSPITAL INTERHOSPITAL ACTIVITIES.
Since 2012 the Paramedics in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital have been involved in Pre-Hospital Medical care. They have been called to Residential Buildings and Public places to administer care to persons in need of medical assistance and transporting these persons to the hospital. The Paramedics have also been stationed at Church Crusades, Political and Social gatherings to render emergency care if the need arises.
Due to the transit location of the hospital, there is a daily increase in patient load; therefore some patients may be needed to be transferred on request or for specialized medical care to other Medical Facilities. The Paramedics have been tremendously useful to this effect; they have transported patients to various states and airports within the country rendering medical care reroute. Some of the paramedics are also instructors in the UBTH School of Paramedic Training.
CONTINUING MED
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