What about those in the background...they need information too?!?!
One thing that I have noticed working in the EMS field is that as we tend to patients, another aspect of the environment (medical or traumatic scenes) is being left in the dark and are liable to be a hindrance to patient care, if not taken care of. What and who I am referring to...family members, bystanders, witnesses, friends, coworkers, or anyone who is on the scene and are truly affected by the "current" emergency. I have noticed and recognized that these individuals become erratic because they are not only scared and terrified of the possible outcome but also due to the fact that they are mostly left out in the dark. To the defense of public safety personnel, it is not intentional but merely a response that we are focusing on the patient(s) in need at hand, making sure they get the best pre-hospital care possible. This time is limited in the field, hence doing what you can in the time granted with minimal distractions as possible.
With that said, I highly suggest that "bystander advocacy" become implemented within the emergency medical system. This individual that will respond to emergency calls as the communication liaison between EMS personnel and family member/friend/co-worker/etc. Their job or duty will be to inform these individuals of what is going on, why they need to stand back and give space for everyone's safety, provide extended medical resources in the event that the bystander can't emotionally or physically take on the current emergency, and so on and so forth. This advocate must be certified as a public safety personnel in regards to procedures, protocols, rules and reguaaltions acknowlegement. This advocate will simultaneously prevent and allow several things to happen in the course of emergency patient care. As a result, the patients will receive quicker and higher quality care because of the time granted with minimal to no distractions. Second, the bystanders will have a clearer understanding of the procedures and why it is pertinent for them to not only trust but also allow EMS personnel to do their job. Third, the probability of further harm occurring to the patient or harm developing to EMS and/or bystander because of a bystander placing themselves in the mist of the scene will decrease. These factors occur more than they need to and with the assistance of a bystander advocacy personnel there as a buffer will be a great asset to and for public safety throughout the nation and the world. Lets think and consider this...
Peace & Blessings
M. D. Martin
