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Geriatric Education for Emergency Medical Services (GEMS)

Overview

Designed specifically for First Responders, EMTs, Paramedics, and all other emergency care providers, this national continuing education curriculum is the most credible and  complete source of prehospital medical information for the older population.

For more information on this resource, visit http://www.GEMSsite.com!

The GEMS course is designed to address all of the special needs o the older population, including the geriatric objectives as identified in the EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) National Standard Curricula.

The GEMS course is innovative, comprehensive, and highly visual program with:

  • Case-based lectures
  • Live action video
  • Hands-on skill stations
  • Small group scenarios

ShowKey Features

GEMS Diamond - The GEMS diamond was created to help providers remember what is different about the older patient.  These issues should be considered when assessing every older patient:

G: Geriatric Patients - older patients are different and may present atypically
E: Environmental Assessment - the environment may contain clues to the cause of the emergency
M: Medical Assessment - older patients tend to have a variety of medical problems
S: Social Assessment - older patients may have less of a social network

Case Studies - Each chapter contains multiple case studies.  Case studies prompt providers to thing about what they might do if they encountered a similar situation in the field.  A summary of each case study appears at the end of the chapter.

ALS Icons - Alert providers that the information is for advanced life support (ALS) personnel.

Attitude Tips - Tips to help providers appropriately handle calls involving older people, and also addressing myths or stereotypes.
 
Communication Tips - Tips to remind readers of communication issues and how to communicate properly.

Medication Tips   - Tips to remind providers of the importance of documenting medications, medication reactions, incorrect dosing, and any other medication issues that they should keep in mind when working with an older patient.
 
Controversy Boxes - This features highlights issues that may be under debate in the EMS community.

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ShowTable of Contents

Chapter 1 Aging
Chapter 2 Normal Changes with Age
Chapter 3 Communicating With Older People and Their Caregivers
Chapter 4 End-of-Life Care Issues
Chapter 5 Assessment of the Older Patient
Chapter 6 Falls
Chapter 7 Trauma and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Chapter 8 Respiratory Emergencies
Chapter 9 Cardiovascular Emergencies
Chapter 10 Neurological Emergencies
Chapter 11 Psychiatric Emergencies
Chapter 12 Other Medical Emergencies
Chapter 13 Pharmacology and Medication Toxicology Emergencies
Chapter 14 Elder Abuse and Neglect
Chapter 15 Improving Quality of Life

Procedures and Home Health Devices
Appendix A: Organizations and Services for Older People
Appendix B: Medication Guide
Appendix C: Home Safety Checklist 


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ShowAbout the Author(s)

American Geriatrics Society

The American Geriatrics Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit association of geriatric health care professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life for all older people. The AGS promotes high quality, comprehensive, and accessible care for America’s older population, including those who are chronically ill and disabled. The organization provides leadership to health care professionals, policy makers, and the public by developing, implementing, and advocating programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.
Additional Titles by this Author

National Association of State EMS Officials

The National Council of State Emergency Medical Services Training Coordinators (now called National Association of State EMS Officials) is a not-for-profit organization consisting of 55 members from each state, District of Columbia, or territory of the United States of America. For over 25 years, the Council has been promoting the training of Emergency Medical Services personnel based on sound educational principles, current medical knowledge, and practice. The Council seeks the standardization of nationwide training curricula, certification/recertification policies and procedures, the reciprocity of certification from state to state, and the public recognition and trust of prehospital EMS personnel health care providers.

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ShowReviews

  • EMS Magazine calls Geriatric Education for Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) "a high-quality text whose content desires acclaim and credibility, and it warrants serious reading."   Read the complete review here.

    In an article appearing in the February 2003 issue of Adult Abuse Review, Loree Cook-Daniels says GEMS "is a program not only to recommend to your community's first responders [and EMTs], but one that is worth your active support in getting implemented. It may also be a reference piece you should keep on your own desk..."  

    "Geriatric Education for Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) is the best EMS course I have been through in years!"

    Charlie Benson
    State Training Coordinator
    Georgia Office of EMS

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ShowResources

    • show overview$333.95 Add to Cart

      ToolKit CD-ROM

      ISBN-13: 9780763722715 ISBN-10: 0763722715

      This CD contains a wealth of time-saving tools and classroom enhancements including:

      • PowerPoint presentations that correspond to the lecture outlines
      • Lecture Outlines that outline the topics covered in the text
      • Image bank providing the most important images and tables found in the text
      • Administrative forms for the Course Coordinator's convenience
    • show overview$73.95 Add to Cart

      Resource Manual

      ISBN-13: 9780763722708 ISBN-10: 0763722707

      An invaluable source of information, the Resource Manual contains:

      • helpful teaching tips and guidelines for teaching a GEMS course
      • lecture outlines that correspond to the PowerPoint presentations
      • skill station strategies and activities
      • scenarios that will keep providers engaged in group discussions
      • administrative forms for the Course Coordinator's convenience.
    • show overview$326.95 Add to Cart

      Video

      ISBN-13: 9780763722739 ISBN-10: 0763722731

      Containing real life footage of the field, this video will captivate providers and show them how to perform important BLS and ALS skills and procedures.

      A PAL format video is available.  Contact your sales rep for details.

    • show overview$326.95 Add to Cart

      GEMS DVD

      ISBN-13: 9780763773038

      The VHS Video in a DVD format.

      Containing real life footage from the field, this DVD will captivate providers and show them how to perform important BLS and ALS skills and procedures.

    • show overview$28.95 Add to Cart

      GEMS Course Skill Station Notecards

      ISBN-13: 9780763731489 ISBN-10: 076373148X

      These notecards are a necessity for any GEMS Course.  The notecards are printed on cardboard perforated pages and printed with role play information for the GEMS skill stations.  There are five sheets of notecards.

  • Bundles
    • $1182.95Add to Cart

      GEMS Library Package

      Bundle ISBN: 9780763775018
      The Library Package includes 10 copies of the textbook and 1 copy of the Teaching Package at a substantial savings!
    • $1072.95Add to Cart

      BU- GEMS 20 PACK

      Bundle ISBN: 9780763734961
      This money-saving package includes 20 copies of the Geriatric Education for Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) student textbook!
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