Question

You respond to the scene of an automobile accident where a patient has an obviously fractured femur. You place the​ patient's leg in manual traction and you tell your partner to get the traction splint from the ambulance. Your partner returns and tells you that there is NOT a traction splint on the ambulance. It is missing. You as an EMT could be charged​ with:

A.
tort law.
B.
failure of duty to act.
C.
negligence.
D.
ethical oath.

Answer 1

As an EMT, you have a duty to provide appropriate care to the patient, even if specific equipment is missing. Absence of a traction splint does not make you liable for negligence or failure to act. Use available resources and document the situation to report the missing equipment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this situation, as an EMT, you have a duty to provide appropriate care to the patient. If a traction splint is missing from the ambulance, you are expected to use other available resources and techniques to stabilize the fracture.

While it is important for patients to receive the appropriate treatment, the absence of a specific tool does not automatically make you liable for negligence or failure of duty to act. As long as you exercise your professional judgment and provide reasonable care under the circumstances, you would not be charged with any legal wrongdoing.

However, it is essential to document the situation properly and report the missing equipment so that it can be addressed for future emergencies.