Unit 1 Ch 1-3 becoming an EMR Flashcards
Emergency medical services system (EMS)
Grouping of medical providers from 911 to the emergency department
Emergency Medical Responder
Training level to be a first responder to most calls
Public safety answering point (PSAP)
Location where emergency calls are answered
Emergency medical dispatcher (EMD)
Person who is trained to answer and prioritize emergency calls
**also capable of providing life saving information
emergency medical technician (EMT)
Minimum training level to staff an ambulance
Advanced EMT (AEMT)
Level of advanced training to start IVs and intubate
Paramedic
Highest level of nationally recognized training
Community paramedic
A paramedic with additional training who performs health care in people’s homes (such as well checks and screenings) that traditionally have been done in a doctors office or hospital
EMS systems provide a __________ that has more than one level.
Tiered response
Tiered response
System where EMT’s and paramedics respond separately
Trauma center
Hospital specializing in trauma care, 24 hour availability of a range of physician specialists and operating room.
Pediatric center
Hospital specializing in pediatric care, offers highly specialized care for children who are I’ll or injured.
Burn center
Hospital specializing in burn care
Cardiovascular care center
Hospital specializing in advanced cardiac care
Stroke center
Hospital specializing in advanced stroke care
Ten classic components of any EMS systems
- ) regulation & policy
- ) resource management
- ) human resources and training
- ) transportation
- ) facilities
- ) communications
- ) public info & education
- ) medical oversight
- ) trauma systems
- ) evaluation
Quality improvement
A dynamic system for continually evaluating and improving all aspects of an EMS agency
Responsibilities of the EMR
- ensure personal safety as well as concern for the safety of your patient and others
- maintain equipment readiness
- evaluate and size up the scene
- gain access to patients
- perform patient assessment
- administer care
- provide emotional support
- maintain continuity of care
- maintain medical legal standards in patient care
- contribute to public health
- community relations
Professionalism
Treating others as you would want to be treated
Ensure that the EMR is perceived as a caring and competent member of the EMS system.
It’s up to you to prevent errors, the EMR can prevent errors by:
- **double checking important facts/decisions
- **use pocket reference guides, protocol books, or “cheat sheets”
- **ask for help or for assistance
- **debrief calls afterward and look for ways to improve processes and decisions
CPR
Cardio pulmonary resuscitation
Scene safety
Making sure the scene is safe, arguably the most important thing you will consider at an emergency call
Observe the scene as you approach, look for signs of:
- **Obvious violence such as fighting or shouting
- **the use or threatened use of weapons
- **large or unruly crowds; people fleeing from the scene
- **signs of drug or alcohol use by the patient, family or bystanders
4 basic procedures used in response to danger:
- ) cover
- ) concealment
- ) distraction
- ) retreat
Cover
Defensive position that hides your body & offers protection
Concealment
Defensive position that hides your body but offers no protection
Distraction
Utilizing items to block or disorient an aggressor
Retreat
Moving away from danger
Hazardous materials
Substances that are harmful to health
Placards
Signs indicating type of material in a container
Standard precautions
Contact precautions to prevent spread of disease
Ex: gloves
Airborne droplets
Particulate matter suspended in respiratory secretions
Infection
Organisms invading the immune system causing illness
Vaccination
Injection to help prevent disease and illness
Pathogens
Disease-causing agents
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Equipment used to prevent disease
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
Respirator or mask that filters ultra fine particles in the air
Bacteria
Organisms causing infection
Decay
Degrading of the skin and organ systems
Rigor Mortis
Stiffening of the muscles and joints after death
Dealing with grief
Denial DABDA Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance
Body mechanics
Proper use of the body to lift
Bariatric patient
A patient who is extremely overweight or obese
Emergency moves
Moves done in extreme life threatening conditions
Urgent moves
Moves done quickly but providing protection
*spinal injuries
Long axis
Moving the patient while preserving the spine in-line position
Inadequate breathing
Respiration pattern not consistent with life
Altered mental status
Disorientation of the senses
Shock
Inadequate perfusion of the body
Hypothermia
Decreased body temp
Frostbite
Injury caused by extreme cold exposure
Supine position
Patient lying flat on back
Patient restraint
Right lies with the police, best to have 4 or 5 rescuers to restrain a patient
Scope of practice
Set of rules, regulations, and laws that designate how you legally function as an EMR
Protocols
Written guidelines or instructions that describe appropriate assessment and care in specific situations
Off-line medical direction
Written physician orders directing care and assessment based on a general set of signs and symptoms
On-line medical direction
Physician orders received specific to an active patient’s signs and symptoms
2 types of medical consent
Expressed consent
Implied consent
Expressed consent
When a patient gives permission for care. Must be 18 or an emancipated minor, be in the right mental state and not impaired by alcohol or drugs to consent.
Implied consent
Assuming permission of an unresponsive patient requiring care
Emancipated minor
A minor who may receive the rights of an adult
Refusal of care
Patient not permitting care
Must be an adult, able to understand consequences of refusal, and able to make an informed decision.
Advanced directives
Legal documents giving a person’s instructions on medical decisions
Ex: whether CPR should be performed
Do not resuscitate order
Written document of a patient requesting cardiac resuscitation not be performed
Living will
Legal document created in advance in the event a person is unable to communicate their health care wishes at a time of injury or illness
Durable power of attorney
Document designating a legal decision maker
Health care proxy
Document designating a legal decision maker for medical decisions
***health care only
Ethics
Moral judgements
Tort
A legal wrongdoing
Assault
The threat or act of physical harm
Salt before you batter
Battery
Unlawful touching of a person
Abandonment
Leaving a patient after beginning the provision of care
Negligence
Failure to follow a standard of care
Duty to act
Legal requirement to perform care
**while on duty
Implied consent
Assuming permission of an unresponsive patient requiring care
Emancipated minor
A minor who may receive the rights of an adult
Refusal of care
Patient not permitting care
Must be an adult, able to understand consequences of refusal, and able to make an informed decision.
Health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA)
Law regarding confidentiality of protected health information
Exposure
Contact with a substance
Needlestick
Accidental penetration of a needle
Proximate causation
Harm caused by the action or inaction of a provider
Breach of duty
Failure to perform or incorrectly performing an action