Chapter 1 Flashcards
Designated Agent
An EMT or other person authorized by a Medical Director to give medications and provide emergency care. The transfer of such authorization to a designated agent is an extension of the Medical Director’s license to practice medicine.
Evidence Based
Description of medical techniques or practices that are supported by scientific evidence of their safety and efficacy, rather than merely on supposition and tradition
Medical Direction
Oversight of the patient-care aspects of an EMS system by the Medical Director
Medical Director
A physician who assumes ultimate responsibility for the patient-care aspects of the EMS system
911 System
A system for telephone access to report emergencies. A dispatcher takes the information and alerts the EMS or the fire or police departments as needed. Enhanced 911 has the additional capacity of automatically identifying the caller’s phone number and location
Patient Outcomes
The long term survival of patients
Protocols
Lists of steps, such as assessments and interventions, to be taken in different situations. Protocols are developed by the Medical Director of an EMS system.
Quality Improvement
A process of continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement.
Standing Orders
A policy or protocol issued by a Medical Director that authorizes EMT’s and others to perform particular skills in certain situations
