Intro to EMS - Chapter 1 Flashcards
Understanding the EMS system
Define Emergency Care
Pre-hospital assessment and basic care for the sick or injured patient
What does EMS stand for?
Emergency Medical System
Describe the role of EMS
The chain of human resources and services linked together to provide continuous emergency care from the onset of care at the prehospital scene, during transport, and on arrival at the medical facility.
What does NHTSA stand for ?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
What role does the NHTSA play in EMS?
It assists states in developing and assessing the 10 identified components of an integrated EMS system.
What are the 10 key components of an integrated EMS system?
- Regulation & Policy
- Resource Management
- Human Resources and Training
- Transportation
- Facilities
- Communications
- Public Information and Education
- Medical Direction
- Trauma Systems
- Evaluation
What is the definition of Medical Director?
A physician who assumes ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY for MEDICAL OVERSIGHT of the patient care aspects of the EMS system.
What is Medical Direction?
The medical oversight provided for an EMS System or one of its components by a licensed physician.
Describe the Scope of Practice Model
A NATIONAL model that defines the scope of care for all levels of EMS training.
What are National EMS Education Standards?
The education and training standards developed by the NHTSA for all levels of EMS training.
What are the 4 levels of EMS provider?
- EMR - Emergency Medical Responder
- EMT - Emergency Medical Technician
- AEMT - Advanced Emergency Medical Technician
- Paramedic
Describe EMR level of training
The person who is often first to arrive at the scene. This training emphasizes scene safety and how to provide immediate care for life-threatening injuries and illnesses, as well as how to assist ambulance personnel when they arrive.
Describe EMT level of training
The basic or minimum level of certification for ambulance personnel. Emphasizes assessment and the care and transportation of the ill or injured patient. Also, EMTs may assist with administration of certain common medications.
Describe AEMT level of training
A Basic level EMT who has received specific additional training in specific areas, allowing some level of ALS (advanced life support). They may be able to perform starting IV lines, inserting advanced airways, and administering medications.
Describe Paramedic level of training
Trained EMS personnel trained to perform what is commonly referred to as ALS (advanced life support) such as inserting endotracheal tubes and starting IV lines. They also administer medications, interpret electrocardiograms (ECG), monitor cardiac rhythms, and perform cardiac defibrillation.
What is Scope of Practice?
The care that an EMR, EMT, or Paramedic is allowed and supposed to provide according to state, local, or regional regulations or statutes (also referred to as scope of care).
What is a PSAP and its role?
Primary Safety Answering Point - a designated 911 emergency dispatch center
What is an EMD and their role?
Emergency Medical Dispatcher - a member of the EMS system who provides pre-arrival instructions to callers, thereby helping to initiate lifesaving care before EMS personnel arrive.
What is a Specialty Hospital?
A hospital with special designation meaning that it is capable of providing specialized services (such as trauma care, pediatric care, or burn care).
What are Protocols?
Written guidelines that direct the care EMS personnel provide patients.
What are Standing Orders?
The Medical Director’s specific instructions for the EMR, EMT, or Paramedic to provide care for specific medical conditions or injuries.
What is Off-line Medical Direction?
An EMS system’s standing orders and protocols which authorize personnel to perform particular skills in certain situations without actually speaking to the Medical Director (also called indirect medical direction).
What is On-line Medical Direction?
Orders to perform a skill or administer care from the on-duty physician; given to the rescuer in person by radio or phone (also called direct medical direction).
Define PPE
Personal Protective Equipment
What is the primary concern as an EMR at the scene?
Personal Safety
What PPE equipment minimizes contact with infectious material?
- Disposable Protective Gloves
- Barrier Devices, such as pocket face mask with one-way valves and special filters
- Protective Eye Wear, such as goggles or face shields
- Special Face Masks with filters
- Gowns or Aprons
Typically what minimum PPE would you use at the scene?
Protective Gloves and possibly Face Mask
When does a victim become a patient?
Once you start to carry out the duties of an EMR.
What is the first thing you do upon arrival at the scene?
Size up the scene - Scene Safety is the first concern, even before patient care.
After personal and scene safety, what do you do first?
Determine the Patients Chief Complaint.
When should you move a patient?
Only when it is necessary for safety, or to be able to provide care.
What should you do when next level arrives?
- Transfer patient, and
2. Transfer patient information
What are the 2 things you must protect outside of patient care?
- Patient Privacy
2. Patient Confidentiality
Who advocates for the patient?
The EMR, EMT, or Paramedic at each hand off point.
Name the 10 injuries & illnesses EMR is expected to begin treatment for
- Injuries to Bones and Joints
- Head and Face Injuries
- Neck and Spine Injuries
- Heart Attacks, Strokes, Seizures, and Diabetic Emergencies
- Poisoning
- Burns
- Heat and Cold related Emergencies
- Mother Delivering baby
- Initial Care of Newborn
- Drug Abuse and Alcohol Abuse patients
Always first assume a patient who presents as intoxacted as a possible what?
A Diabetic Emergency
What does CQI stand for?
Continuous Quality Improvement
What is the product EMR, EMT, and Paramedic provide?
Patient Care
What important components of CQI are you expected to deliver?
Accurate and Complete Patient Care Reports
What is the role of the Public Health System?
To promote optimal health and quality of life for the people and communities they serve.
What is DMAT?
Disaster Medical Assistance Team - specialized teams designed to provide medical care following a disaster.
Which of the following is NOT a common component of an EMS system?
A. Ambulances
B. Hospitals
C. Clinics
D. Fire service
C. Clinics
All care provided by EMS personnel within an EMS system is overseen by a(n):
A. Medical Director
B. Fire Chief
C. Ambulance Supervisor
D. Nursing Supervisor
A. Medical Director
Which of the following BEST describes the role of the EMR in the EMS system?
A. Identifies hazards and transports patient
B. Cares for the immediate life threats and assists EMTs
C. Secures the scene and serves as an Incident Commander
D. Assists Paramedics with advanced skills
B. Cares for the immediate life threats and assists EMTs
Emergency Medical Dispatchers receive training that allows them to:
A. Control the scene via the radio
B. Triage patients via radio
C. Declare a mass casualty incident
D. Provide pre-arrival care instructions
D. Provide pre-arrival care instructions
Which of the following receives the highest level of training in the EMS system?
A. EMR
B. EMT
C. AEMT
D. Paramedic
D. Paramedic
Guidelines written by the Medical Director describe the care that EMS personnel provide for patients. Those guidelines are called what?
A. Dispatching
B. Protocols
C. On-line Direction
D. Prescriptions
B. Protocols
Which one of the following would MOST likely be considered a standing order?
A. Stay clear of an unsafe scene
B. Run with lights and sirens
C. Begin CPR on a victim in cardiac arrest
D. Dispatch and ambulance to an emergency scene
C. Begin CPR on a victim in cardiac arrest
Protocols and standing orders are from:
A. Off-line medical direction
B. On-line medical direction
C. Pre-arrival instructions
D. Stand-by guidelines
A. Off-line medical direction
The care that an EMR is allowed and supposed to provide, according to local, state, or regional regulations or statutes is known as:
A. Scope of practice
B. Standard of care
C. National standard curricula
D. EMR care
A. Scope of practice
As a member of the EMS system, your primary role is one of:
A. Patient Care
B. Safety
C. Transport
D. Documentation
B. Safety
