Chapter 1: EMS Systems Flashcards
Evidence-Based Medicine
An approach to medicine where decisions are based on well-conducted research, classifying recommendations based on strength of scientific evidence
Mobile Integrated Health Care
A method of delivering health care that involves providing health care within the community rather than at a physician’s office or hospital
Credentialing
An established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a particular profession, or to function as an organization
Licensure
The process whereby a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to perform a regulated act
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
Advanced Life Support
Advanced life-saving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT
Medical Director
The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field
Emergency Medical Services
A multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured
Quality Control
Oversight by the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call
Public Safety Access Point
A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire, & ambulance services
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias (v-fib & v-tach) & delivers appropriate electrical shock to patient
Secondary Prevention
Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent
Primary Service Area
The designated area in which the EMS agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care & transportation to hospital
Intravenous (IV) Therapy
The delivery of medication directly into a vein
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPPA)
Federal legislation passed in 1996, with a main effect in EMS to limit availability of patients’ health care info & penalizing violations of patient privacy
Medical Control
Physician intstructions given directly by radio/cell phone (online/direct) or indirectly by protocol/guidelines (off-line/indirect) as authorized by medical director
Public Health
The branch of medicine focused on examining health needs of entire populations w/ goal of preventing health problems
Continuous Quality Improvement
A system of internal & external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system aimed at improving outcomes
Advanced EMT
An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as IV therapy & administration of certain emergency medications
Americans With Disabilities Act
Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination
Emergency Medical Dispatch
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
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
An individual who has training in basic life support, including AEDs, use of a definitive airway adjunct, & assisting patients w/ certain medications
Certification
A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated & recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe & ethical care
Primary Prevention
Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occuring
Community Paramedicine
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
Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
A trained professional (police officer, firefighter, lifeguard, etc.) who may arrive first at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance
Paramedic
An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, & other advanced assessment & treatment skills
