EMS Systems

Question 1

Advanced EMT (AEMT)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Advanced life support (ALS)

Answer 2

Advanced lifesaving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT.

Question 3

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Answer 3

Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination.

Question 4

Automated external defibrillator (AED)

Answer 4

A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient.

Question 5

Certification

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Continuous quality improvement (CQI)

Answer 6

A system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system.

Question 7

Emergency medical dispatch (EMD)

Answer 7

A system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance and in providing callers with viral instructions until the arrival of EMS crews.

Question 8

Emergency medical responser (EMR)

Answer 8

The first trained individual, such as a police officer, fire fighter, lifeguard, or other rescuer, to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance.

Question 9

Emergency medical services (EMS)

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Emergency medical technician (EMT)

Answer 10

An individual who has training in BLS, including AED, use of definitive airway adjunct, and assisting patients with certain medications.

Question 11

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA)

Answer 11

Federal legislation passed in 1996. Its main effect in EMS is in limiting availability of patients’ health care information and penalizing violations of patient privacy.

Question 12

Intravenous (IV) therapy

Answer 12

The delivery of medication directly into a vein.

Question 13

Licensure

Answer 13

The process whereby a state allows individuals to perform a regulated act.

Question 14

Medical control

Answer 14

Physician instructions that are 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.

Question 15

Medical director

Answer 15

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

Question 16

National EMS Scope of Practice Model

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Paramedic

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Primary prevention

Answer 18

Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring.

Question 19

Primary service area (PSA)

Answer 19

The designated area in which the EMS service is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transportation to the hospital.

Question 20

Public health

Answer 20

Focused on examining the health needs of entire populations with the goal of preventing health problems.

Question 21

Public safety access point

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Quality control

Answer 22

The responsibility of the medical director to ensure that the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call.

Question 23

Secondary prevention

Answer 23

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