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Once a patient is loaded into an Emergency Transport Vehicle (ETV), a first aid attendant’s role doesn’t stop—it shifts to providing ongoing care, monitoring changes, and preparing for a smooth transfer to advanced medical assistance.
For Transportation Endorsement first aid attendants, knowing how to manage patient care during transport is just as important as packaging and securing the injured worker. Every moment in transit matters, and continuous monitoring, communication, and preparation for the handoff are essential to ensure the best possible outcome.
This guide will cover:
✅ Key steps to follow immediately after loading a patient
✅ How to monitor and reassess the patient during transport
✅ What to do if the patient’s condition changes
✅ How to effectively transfer care to the next level of medical assistance
What to Do Immediately After Loading the Patient
Before the ETV moves, a Transportation Endorsement first aid attendant must take immediate actions to ensure a safe and stable transport:
🚑 Reassess the Patient’s ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) – Check for any critical changes since loading.
🚑 Secure the Stretcher – Ensure the stretcher is locked in place to prevent movement.
🚑 Organize Equipment – Keep essential first aid supplies within easy reach for monitoring and treatment.
🚑 Confirm Destination – Make sure the driver knows the route and planned medical facility or meeting point.
🔹 Only once these steps are completed should the vehicle begin transport.
Preparing for the Next Level of Care
As soon as transport begins, first aid attendants should prepare to notify the next level of care, whether that’s a paramedic team, industrial medic, or hospital staff.
📞 Key Information to Provide:
✔️ Your name and role as the first aid attendant
✔️ Patient’s age (if known)
✔️ Mechanism of injury (e.g., fall, machinery accident, medical event)
✔️ Findings from the primary survey (ABC status, consciousness level, vital signs)
✔️ Treatments given (e.g., oxygen therapy, wound management, spinal motion restriction)
✔️ Estimated time of arrival (ETA)
🔹 Example Notification:
“This is [Your Name], first aid attendant at [Worksite Name]. We are en route with a [age]-year-old worker who suffered [injury/medical condition]. The worker is [conscious/unconscious] and complaining of [symptoms]. We have provided [list of treatments], and we estimate arrival in [timeframe].”
Ongoing Care During Transport
Throughout transport, continuous monitoring and communication are essential.
✔️ Reassess ABCs Every Five Minutes – Check airway, breathing, circulation, and responsiveness at regular intervals.
✔️ Intermediate Attendants Conduct Secondary Surveys – Monitor vital signs, medical history, and full-body assessments.
✔️ Maintain Patient Communication (If Conscious) – Provide reassurance and updates on the journey.
✔️ Coordinate with the Driver – Ensure safe, steady transport without unnecessary speed.
🔹 Maintain the Patient’s Position
- ¾-prone for unconscious patients to protect the airway and prevent aspiration.
- Semi-sitting for medical cases (e.g., chest pain, respiratory distress).
- Spinal motion restriction (SMR) if required.
What to Do If the Patient’s Condition Changes
Even if the patient initially appears stable, their condition can deteriorate rapidly. Transportation Endorsement first aid attendants must be prepared to respond immediately.
🛑 If the patient loses consciousness or stops breathing:
✔️ Instruct the driver to pull over immediately when safe.
✔️ Reassess the patient’s ABCs.
✔️ Begin CPR (30:2) if no normal breathing is present.
✔️ Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) if available.
✔️ Have the driver update emergency services with the patient’s new condition and exact location.
🔹 GPS Coordinates May Be Required – Ensure the driver can provide an accurate location for paramedics.
How to Transfer Care to Advanced Medical Personnel
When arriving at the hospital, ambulance, or advanced first aid station, the handoff process is just as important as transport.
📋 Provide a Clear, Detailed Report:
✔️ Patient’s condition upon initial contact
✔️ What treatments were performed
✔️ Any changes during transport
✔️ Current ABC status and positioning
🚑 Assist in Transferring the Patient – Help move the injured worker onto a hospital bed or ambulance stretcher as requested.
🩺 Note on Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR):
- If paramedics remove spinal precautions, it doesn’t mean the initial treatment was wrong—their advanced training allows them to reassess and adjust care as needed.
Post-Transport Procedures: What First Aid Attendants Need to Do After Transport
Once the patient is transferred, first aid attendants still have responsibilities before completing their shift.
🧼 Clean & Disinfect Equipment – Follow sanitation protocols for stretchers, straps, and first aid gear.
📝 Complete All Required Documentation – Fill out the WorkSafeBC First Aid Record and incident reports.
🧠 Take Care of Your Own Well-Being – Be mindful of critical incident stress and seek support if needed.
Key Takeaways for Transportation Endorsement First Aid Attendants
✔️ Continuous monitoring and reassessment of ABCs is critical during transport.
✔️ Clear communication with drivers and medical personnel ensures smooth transitions.
✔️ Patients must be secured in the correct position for safe, stable transport.
✔️ If a patient’s condition deteriorates, pull over immediately and take action.
✔️ After the call, proper documentation, equipment cleaning, and self-care are essential.
By following these best practices, first aid attendants with a Transportation Endorsement can maximize patient safety and ensure a smooth transition to advanced medical care.
Get WorkSafeBC-Certified in Transportation Endorsement!
At Fundamental First Aid in Vancouver, we offer WorkSafeBC approved TE courses, teaching:
🚑 Patient care during transport
🚑 Emergency response for deteriorating conditions
🚑 Effective handoff communication with medical personnel
👉 Train with us today—book your Transportation Endorsement course and gain the skills needed for safe patient transport!