EMT- Chapter 1: Emergency Medical Care Systems, Research & Public Health

Advanced EMT (AEMT)

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

Emergency Medical Responder

Commonly called "first responders", provide immediate lifesaving care to patients who have accessed the EMS system while waiting for higher level of responders.

evidence-based medicine

medical care based on the latest and most accurate clinical research

Direct Medical Oversight

real-time oversight or medical direction provided by a physician to an EMS provider seeking immediate feedback or direction; can be online or on-scene

Indirect Medical Oversight

the routine duties and responsibilities of the EMS medical director, including the creation of protocols and standing orders

Medical Direction

medical policies, procedures, and practices that are available to EMS providers either off-line or on-line

Medical Director

A physician who is legally responsible for the clinical and patient care aspects of the EMS system

Americans with Disabilities (ADA)

a federal law passed in 1990 that protects individuals with a documented disability from being denied initial or continued employment based on their disability

Community Paramedicine (CP)

services provided by the EMS agency and personnel that are administratively and clinically integrated with other health care entities

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

The level of EMS practitioner who provides basic emergency medical care and transportation to patients who access the EMS system including oxygen therapy and ventilation equipment, pulse oximetry, use of automatic blood pressure monitoring equipment, and limited medication administration

EMS System

Emergency Medical Services system

Evidence based guidelines (EBG)

development of medical guidelines based on scientific evidence and research studies

Medical oversight

the medical director's broad responsibilities, including all clinical and administrative functions and activities necessary to exercise ultimate responsibility for the emergency care provided by individual personnel and the entire emergency medical services (EMS) system

Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)

provision by a variety of health care entities and practitioners of patient-centered health care in the out-of-hospital environment using mobile technology and resources and integrated administratively or clinically with the EMS system

Off line medical direction

medical policies, procedures, and practices that medical direction has established in written guidelines

On line medical direction

direct orders from a physician to a prehospital care provider given by radio or telephone

On scene medical direction

medical direction provided by an EMS medical director physician who is on scene with the EMS crew

Paramedic

the level of EMS practitioner who provides the highest level of prehospital care, including advance assessments and care, formation of a field impression, and invasive and drug interventions

Prehospital care

emergency medical treatment given to patients before they are transported to a hospital or other facility. Also called out of hospital care.

Protocols

the policies and procedures for all components of an EMS system. Also called orders or standing orders.

Quality improvement (QI)

a system of internal and external reviews and audits of an EMS system to ensure a high quality of care. Also known as continuous quality improvement (CQI)

Standing orders

preauthorized treatment procedures. A type of treatment protocol.