COURSE OVERVIEW

Traditional refresher programs refresh material already known by the students. The intent of these programs is to maintain a student’s competence in knowledge and skill performance. This refresher program embraces the same concept, but it also encourages the inclusion of new and expanded information. New and expanded information may be added to the course but not at the expense of content that is core material for the program. This course is not designed to be continuing education for the participants. If a system wishes to incorporate additional information or a new intervention that requires a substantial amount of time to teach, the information must be offered in addition to the content of the refresher program. Moreover, this course is not a transition or bridge course for current EMT-Paramedics to become certified at the revised 1998 EMT-Paramedic level.

The participant make-up in a refresher program may challenge the instructional staff. Participants who attend a refresher program may do so for a variety of reasons. Some students may not have practiced for a period of time and are attending to gain back their level of competence prior to practicing again. Others may attend to remediate or gain refresher or continuing education hours. Knowledge of the participant make-up will help the instructors meet the participant’s needs. A thorough knowledge of the re-credentialing requirements and approval process is a must for any organization sponsoring a refresher program.

NREMT PRACTICE ANALYSIS TASK ITEMS

The NREMT Practice Analysis task items are listed at the beginning of each module. These tasks are included based upon their performance frequency and potential for harm.

OBJECTIVES and DECLARATIVE MATERIAL

The objectives and declarative material are extracted from the 1998 EMT-Paramedic: NSC and they support the identified practice analysis tasks. The objectives and declarative material are renumbered for formatting purposes; however, the original objective number from the NSC is found at the end of each objective. The declarative material provides guidance for programs to use to establish their own individual lesson plans. 
The objectives in modules 1-5 are mandatory objectives and must be included in every refresher program. The objectives for the operational section should be considered recommended content for the refresher course. Any other objectives and declarative information has not been included and should be developed by the sponsoring agency.

LAGRANGE COUNTY EMS SPECIFICATIONS

System and staff needs assessment was conducted with approval from Scott Smith, M.D., Medical Director.  System review shows a higher call volume for medical emergencies than trauma related emergencies, although acuity of trauma related emergencies are higher than medical emergencies.  Both general areas should be reviewed equivalently.  Staff needs assessment shows request for review areas of:
•	Airway and ventilation
•	Pharmacology
•	Crisis situations (behavioral included)
•	Endocrine emergencies
•	Nervous system emergencies

All refresher content, both core and flexible has been approved by the Medical Director for qualifying continuing education reportable to the State of Indiana and to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.