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only use straps that have mechanically
interlocking automotive seatbelt restraints,
ideally in an ADA 3 point restraint.
Velcro™-type restraints, such as this one, are
meant to keep patients from sliding out of their seat
during normal daily activities. They are not
designed to secure a patient during a violent
automotive collision, and as a result should not be
used instead of an ADA 3-pont restraint.
NOT COMMUNICATING WITH PATIENT:
A patient should always be informed during
the transport. Not keeping the patient advised
of the goings on during the transport may
cause him or her to get anxious and behave
unpredictably at a critical time during the
transport. He or she may reach out during an
awkward time of a tough lift, or may shift his
or her weight in an odd way and throw off an
assist. This type of unpredictable behaviour
may cause an injury to you or the patient.
Always be sure to inform your patient of the
procedure before making a lift or move.
Remember, every skills station in this course
starts with informing the patient of the
procedure so that he or she can participate
appropriately or simply not get anxious.
NOT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE:
A vehicle inspection should always be one of
the first things an MAVO does when he or she
starts a shift. All commercial drivers, MAVO’s
included, should start their day by checking
their vehicle for missing supplies or broken
equipment. Your employer will provide you
with a form with the inspection items for your
particular vehicle. An inappropriately equipped
vehicle create problems that harm your patient.
For example, if a patient gets hurt and your first
aid kit has no dressings, he or she may lose
blood needlessly. An air conditioner that is not
working properly may cause a sickly patient to
suffer heat exhaustion during a long transport
on a hot day. Be sure to check your vehicle at
the beginning of every shift.
LACK OF CARE WHEN MOVING PATIENTS:
At times, the routine of moving patients can
make an MAVO somewhat careless when
transporting a patient. MAVO’s sometimes
allow the fact that they’ve performed a
procedure many times before lure them into a
false sense of security. The MAVO may not
pay as much attention to the procedure or
patient as he or she may have when he or she
performed the procedure the first time.
Every patient deserves the MAVO’s undivided
attention, even if the transport is routine. In
many cases, injuries occur at unexpected times
when the MAVO feels no danger exists. It is
important to remember that the MAVO
transports people, not cargo. As a result, he or
she needs to be ever vigilant for problems and
dangers so as to avoid injury to the patient.
Your MAVO Instructor will review these
common mistakes with you, as well as show
you some scenarios where real MAVO’s got
into trouble for poor performance. You will see
cases where accidents caused injuries, and
where OEMS inspections lead to significant
fines for the companies commiting the
violations. We hope that when you go out and
work you will take care not to make the same or
similar errors.
After you have demonstrated all of the key skills
of this program, and sat through all the lecture
segments, the final portion of the MAVO
program is to take the written examination.
Your instructor will administer a multiple-choice
exam on which you will need to score a 70% or
higher grade.