McDonough District Hospital Emergency Services
McDonough District Hospital’s Emergency Medical Services System is a network of basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) caregivers working together to provide prompt, efficient medical care for the people that we serve.
In the MDH System, we have first responders and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). First Responders are trained to stabilize a patient prior to the arrival of the EMTs. They must complete a 40-hour training program focused on initial assessment and stabilization of the sick or injured.
First responders can operate an Automated Defibrillator (AED) of they receive additional training. They are required to maintain 64 hours of continuing education every four years. In this EMS system, we use First Responders teamed with Emergency Medical Technicians.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) is trained in basic life support procedures. The primary objective of the EMT program is to train individuals to recognize when basic life support (BLS) skills are in order to successfully transport someone to an emergency room.
Today, the EMT-B training is much more involved and diversified, creating a higher standard of care for the people that they serve. The EMT-B must complete the 110-hour training program and maintain 120 hours of continuing education every four years. They can operate an automated defibrillator (AED) of they care received additional training. Nine BLS agencies currently have AEDs.
The EMT-B level of training comprises the largest portion of the pre-hospital providers and constitute the backbone of pre-hospital care. WE currently have 10 BLS agencies in our EMS System. Combinations of 130 volunteer and paid EMS professionals comprise our basic life support services.
The highest trained level of pre-hospital caregiver is the EMT-Paramedic
(EMT-P). Paramedics have completed the EMT-B training program, and then enhance their training by completing an intensive 700-hour classroom and clinical program focused on advanced life support (ASL) techniques. The Paramedic is trained to be the eyes, nose, and hands of the Emergency Department Physician. They communicate with and function under the direction of a physician by the use of a cellular telephone end predetermined physician orders of protocols.
Paramedics at McDonough District Hospital must maintain certification on Advanced Cardiac Life Support. They must also maintain 120 hours of continuing education every four years.
McDonough
District Hospital maintains an ALS ambulance staffed with Paramedics 23
hours-per-day. Our ambulances care called approximately seven times a day, or 200
times a month. They are equipped with
state of the art pre-hospital emergency equipment. 
We recently added Physiocontrol Life-Pak 12’s to the equipment list. The Life-Pak 12 features the ability to obtain and transmit a 12-lead EKG from the ambulance to the Emergency Department. This type of equipment enhances the diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks.
The Paramedics at McDonough District Hospital also work in the Emergency Department as technicians during time when an ambulance is not needed. This arrangement augments the Paramedic training program, therefore, keeping their education and skill level high.
We are constantly working to improve our pre-hospital emergency medical services. Training for pre-hospital providers continues every month, new EMS equipment continues to be evaluated and purchased. Emergency Medical Services continue to expand. This is all in an effort to provide the best possible emergency care for the people that we serve. EMS providers remain steadfast in our commitment to this service.
To obtain an ambulance, call 309-837-4500 or 911 in McDonough County. For further information, contact Steve Hilligoss R.N. EMT-P, McDonough District Hospital Emergency Services Coordinator at 309-836-1542.
Created on 10/31/00