GEMS Geriatric Education For EMS

GEMS prepares prehospital practitioners to respond to, assess, and care for the fastest-growing patient population. The course incorporates the GEMS Diamond (Geriatric, Environmental, Medical, and Social assessments) to help practitioners formulate a holistic diagnostic and treatment approach for older adults. The 3rd edition strengthens practitioners' ability to provide best-practice care in every community. This course certification os valid for 4 years.

Topics Covered

• Changes with age and assessment of the older patient
• Polypharmacy and toxicity
• Respiratory emergencies
• Cardiovascular emergencies
• Neurologic emergencies
• Other medical disorders
• Elder maltreatment and psychosocial emergencies
• End-of-life and palliative care
• Disaster triage for older patients
• Left ventricular assist devices
• Skin disorders and wound care
• Ventilators
• Urinary catheter and colostomy bag care
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillators

Learning Objectives

• Conduct a comprehensive GEMS Diamond assessment of geriatric patients
• Recognize how the aging process affects body systems and patient presentation
• Identify elder maltreatment and initiate appropriate reporting
• Manage common geriatric emergencies including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurologic conditions

Course At a Glance

• Provider (8 hours) In Person

Target Audience

• All levels of EMS practitioners and other medical professionals providing prehospital care

This course is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE). NAEMT is a CAPCE-accredited education provider. Upon successful completion of this course, eligible EMS practitioners will receive the designated number of CAPCE continuing education contact hours as stated above. CAPCE contact hours are accepted for National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) recertification. For specific credit hour awards, refer to the course completion certificate issued by NAEMT.