MAO Manual

With these patients, keep their limitations in mind so their medical conditions are not exacerbated. Let them move at their own pace. Overexerting these patients may cause difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath. Keep them comfortable and remember that weather conditions can also impact their health. Respiratory and cardiac patients can be sensitive to strong fragrances such as colognes, perfumes, and air fresheners, which may irritate their disease. You should refrain from using these products since MAVO’s are in close contact with patients. Prosthetic Limbs Some patients may have prosthetic or artificial limbs. Never attempt to lift or transfer these patients by utilizing their artificial limb. If they have an artificial leg they may move slowly. As with all patients, let them move at their own pace. When assisting them into a standing position make sure they are on even ground that is dry. Uneven wet ground can throw off their balance and cause them to fall. Consider also that some amputees, such as bilateral leg amputees, have lost a great deal of skin as a result of their amputations. Since skin is one of the most important tools in regulating body temperature, these patients may get easily overheated in warm environments. Be sure to keep the temperature in a range that is comfortable for the patient, and monitor his or her condition carefully. Children with Special Needs When transporting children, a parent may ride along in the van to and from the appointment. Make sure you follow all state regulations concerning car seats. To a child, medical transportation can be very scary. Make sure when you communicate with the child you kneel down so you are talking to them at eye level. Children with special needs such as Autism or Down’s Syndrome will often have difficulty communicating. You should always handle these patients with respect. Ask the parents for tips on how to best handle the child if you have trouble getting the child to cooperate.

Dialysis One of the more common transports you may provide will be to and from dialysis centers. People who are on dialysis have kidneys that don’t function properly. This condition is referred to as renal failure and causes excess fluids and toxins to build up in their blood. These fluids need to be removed on a routine basis using a procedure called dialysis. At the dialysis centers patients will be connected to a machine which acts like an artificial kidney by removing the excess fluid and toxins from their blood. They are connected to this machine through an access point most commonly in their forearm, chest, or groin area. Prior to and after treatments, patients are usually weighed to track the amount of fluid removed for that treatment. Now that you know more about renal failure and dialysis lets look at the following cautions:  Prior to leaving, ask the dialysis center staff if the patient is clear to leave.  Be careful when assisting these patients. These patients may be weak, but you should take care not to assist them using the area on their body that contains the dialysis access. Respiratory and Cardiac Conditions Another common type of transport may involve taking a patient with a respiratory (breathing) or cardiac (heart) problem to and from a doctor’s office. Some conditions that may require transports for medical examinations include respiratory and cardiac conditions such as:  Asthma  Bronchitis  Pneumonia  COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)  CHF (Congested Heart Failure)  Angina  Cardiomyopathy  MI (Myocardial Infarction)