Chapter 1 - EMS Systems Flashcards
(27 cards)
The guiding principle for EMS personnel is:
Everything you do needs to be done with the patient in mind
Advanced EMT (AEMT)
An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications
Advanced life support (ALS)
Advanced life-saving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT
Automated external defibrillator (AED)
A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmia (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient
Certification
A process in which a person, and institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical care
Continuous quality improvement (CQI)
A system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system aiming at improving outcomes
Credentialing
An established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a particular profession, or to function as an organization
Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)
A system that assists dispatchers and selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance and provide collar with vital instructions until the arrival of EMS crews
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
A first train, professional, such as a police officer, firefighter, lifeguard, or other rescuer, who may arrive first at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
A multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide pre-hospital emergency care to the sick and injured
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
An individual who has training and basic life support, including automated external defibrillation, use of a definitive, airway, adjunct, and assisting patient with certain medications
Evidence-based medicine (EBM)
And approach to medicine were decisions are based on well-conducted research, classifying recommendations based on the strength of scientific evidence
Also called science based medicine
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Federal legislation passed in 1996
Its main affect in EMS is in limiting availability of patient’s healthcare information and penalizing violations of patient privacy
Intravenous therapy (IV)
Delivery of medication directly into a vein
Licensure
The process we are by a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to perform a regulated act
Medical control
Physician instructions given directly by radio or cell phone (online/direct) or indirectly by protocol/guidelines (off-line/indirect), as authorized by the medical director of the service program
Medical director
The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT, the authority to provide medical care in the field
Mobile Integrated Health Care (MIH)
A method of delivering healthcare that involves providing healthcare within the community rather than at a physicians office or hospital
National EMS Scope of Practice Model
A document created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS providers
Paramedic
An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency, pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills
Primary prevention
Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring
Primary service area
The designated area in which the EMS agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transportation to the hospital
Public health
The branch of medicine that is focused on examining the health needs of entire populations with the goal of preventing health problems
Public safety access point
A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire, and ambulance services
