Chapter 1: EMS Systems

Question 1

Evidence-Based Medicine

Answer 1

An approach to medicine where decisions are based on well-conducted research, classifying recommendations based on strength of scientific evidence

Question 2

Mobile Integrated Health Care

Answer 2

A method of delivering health care that involves providing health care within the community rather than at a physician’s office or hospital

Question 3

Credentialing

Answer 3

An established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a particular profession, or to function as an organization

Question 4

Licensure

Answer 4

The process whereby a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to perform a regulated act

Question 5

National EMS Scope of Practice Model

Answer 5

A document created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS providers

Question 6

Advanced Life Support

Answer 6

Advanced life-saving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT

Question 7

Medical Director

Answer 7

The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field

Question 7

Emergency Medical Services

Answer 7

A multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured

Question 8

Quality Control

Answer 8

Oversight by the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call

Question 9

Public Safety Access Point

Answer 9

A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire, & ambulance services

Question 10

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

Answer 10

A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias (v-fib & v-tach) & delivers appropriate electrical shock to patient

Question 11

Secondary Prevention

Answer 11

Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent

Question 12

Primary Service Area

Answer 12

The designated area in which the EMS agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care & transportation to hospital

Question 13

Intravenous (IV) Therapy

Answer 13

The delivery of medication directly into a vein

Question 14

Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPPA)

Answer 14

Federal legislation passed in 1996, with a main effect in EMS to limit availability of patients’ health care info & penalizing violations of patient privacy

Question 15

Medical Control

Answer 15

Physician intstructions given directly by radio/cell phone (online/direct) or indirectly by protocol/guidelines (off-line/indirect) as authorized by medical director

Question 16

Public Health

Answer 16

The branch of medicine focused on examining health needs of entire populations w/ goal of preventing health problems

Question 17

Continuous Quality Improvement

Answer 17

A system of internal & external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system aimed at improving outcomes

Question 18

Advanced EMT

Answer 18

An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as IV therapy & administration of certain emergency medications

Question 19

Americans With Disabilities Act

Answer 19

Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination

Question 20

Emergency Medical Dispatch

Answer 20

A system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance & provides callers w/ vital instructions until the arrival of EMS crews

Question 21

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Answer 21

An individual who has training in basic life support, including AEDs, use of a definitive airway adjunct, & assisting patients w/ certain medications

Question 22

Certification

Answer 22

A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated & recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe & ethical care

Question 23

Primary Prevention

Answer 23

Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occuring

Question 24

Community Paramedicine

Answer 24

A health care model in which experienced paramedics receive advanced training to equip them to provide additional services in the prehospital environment, such as health evaluations, monitoring of chronic illnesses/conditions, & patient advocacy

Question 25

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

Answer 25

A trained professional (police officer, firefighter, lifeguard, etc.) who may arrive first at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance

Question 26

Paramedic

Answer 26

An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, & other advanced assessment & treatment skills