Chapter 1: Introduction to Emergency Medical Care

Designated Agent

An EMT or other person authorized by a Medical Director to give medications and provide emergency care.

Evidence-based

Description of medical techniques or practices that are supported by scientific evidence of their safety and efficacy, rather than merely by supposition and tradition.

Medical Direction

Oversight of the patient-care aspects of an EMS system by the Medical Director.

911 System

A system for telephone access to report emergencies.

Off-line Medical Direction

Standing orders issued by the Medical Director that allow EMT's to give certain medications or perform certain procedures without speaking to the Medical Director or another physician.

On-line Medical Direction

Orders from the on-duty physician given directly to an EMT in the field by radio or telephone.

Patient Outcomes

The long-term survival of patients.

Protocols

List of steps, such as assessments and interventions, to be taken in different situations.

Quality Improvement

A process of continuous self review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement

Standing Orders

A policy or protocol issued by a Medical Director that authorizes EMT's and others to perform particular skills in certain situations.

What are the primary components of Emergency Medical Services system?

The components of the EMS system are 911 and emergency medical dispatchers, Emergency Medical Responders, EMTs (all levels) and ambulances, emergency department, and other hospital units.

What are some of the special designations that hospitals may have? Name the specialty centers you have in your region.

Special designations of hospital include trauma centers, burn centers, pediatric care centers, poison control centers, cardiac centers, and stroke centers.

What are the four national levels of EMS training and certification?

The four national levels of EMS training and certification are Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic.

What are the roles and responsibilities of an EMT?

The roles and responsibilities of the EMT include safety of the crew, patient, and bystanders; patient assessment; patient care; lifting and moving; transport; transfer of care; patient advocacy; and promotion of public health and safety.

What are desirable personal and physical attributes of the EMT?

Some of the desirable personal and physical attributes of the EMT include being in good health and able to lift and carry up to 125 pounds; having good eyesight and hearing; being able to clearly communicate in written and oral forms; and being pleasant, sincere, cooperative, resourceful, a self-starter, emotionally stable, able to lead, and neat and clean.

What is the definition of the term quality improvement?

Quality improvement is a process of continuous self review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement.

What is the difference between on-line and off-line medical direction?

The difference between on-line and off-line medical direction is that in on-line medical direction, the on-duty physician gives orders directly to the EMT by telephone or radio. In off-line medical direction the EMT carries out written standing orders from the Medical Director.

What qualities would you like to see in am EMT who is caring for you? How can you come closer to being this kind of EMT?

Some of the desirable personal traits the EMTs should strive to exemplify include a pleasant, sincere, and cooperative attitude around his patients and customers. Being able to step up as a leader and remain emotionally stable during stressful situations is important. Effective listening and communication skills are essential if you want to be successful in the healthcare industry. Because your patients come from such a diverse population in different cultures and backgrounds - many that may be different from your own - it is critical that you are open-minded and nonjudgmental of your patients and the people you care for. You can strive to incorporate these traits into your every day care by thinking about them daily and approaching each patient (regardless of the circumstances) with the same attitude. b

You are devoting a considerable amount of time to becoming an EMT. How do you plan to refresh your knowledge and stay current once you are out of the classroom ?

You can continuously refresh your knowledge and skill performance by taking advantage of conferences, seminars, lectures, classes, videos, and demonstrations. Review literature and study evidence-based research.