EMS systems Flashcards
AEMT
Advanced EMT: individual trained in advanced life support, IVs and certain meds
ALS
Advanced life support: advanced lifesaving procedures
ADA
Americans with Disabilities Act; comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination
AED
Automated external defibrillator; a device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock
Certification
Process where individual is evaluated and recognized as meeting standards to provide safe and ethical care
Community Paramedicine
Health care model in which experienced paramedics receive advanced training to equip them to provide additional services in the prehospital environment
CQI
Continuos quality improvement; a system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of the EMS system
EMD
Emergency medical dispatch; a system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a call for assistance and provides callers with vital instructions until the arrival of EMS crews
EMR
Emergency medical responder; the first trained professional to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical care (police officer, firefighter, lifeguard)
EMS
Emergency medical service; a multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured
EMT
Emergency medical technician; individual who has training in basic life support, including AED, use of did inutile airway adjunct, and assisting patients with certain medications
HIPPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; federal legislation passed in 1996. It’s main effect limiting availability of patients health care information and penalizing violations of patient privacy
IV therapy
Intravenous therapy; delivery of medication directly into a vein
Licensure
The process whereby a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to performs 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
MIH
Mobile integrated healthcare; a method of delivering health care which involves providing health care 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
PSA
Primary service area; the designated area in which the EMS agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transport to the hospital
Public health
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
Quality control
The responsibility of the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care standards are being met by EMTs on each call
