Chapter 1: EMS Systems and Public Health Vocabulary

Advanced Medical Technician

An EMS provider with more training than an EMT who can perform some advanced medical procedures and give certain medications.

Advanced Life Support

Emergency care provided by highly trained EMS professionals using advanced skills, medications, and equipment.

Americans with Disabilities Act

A U.S. law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination and ensures equal access to services and opportunities.

Automated External Defibrillator

A portable device that analyzes heart rhythm and can deliver an electric shock to help restart a heart during cardiac arrest.

Basic Life Support

Basic emergency care, such as CPR, bleeding control, and airway management, provided before advanced care arrives.

Certification

Official recognition that a person has met specific education and testing requirements for a profession.

Credentialing

The process of verifying and approving a person's qualifications, certifications, and licenses.

Emergency Medical Responder

The first level of EMS provider trained to give immediate lifesaving care until more advanced help arrives.

Emergency Medical Services

A system of healthcare professionals and resources that provide emergency medical care and transportation.

Emergency Medical Technician

An EMS provider trained to provide basic emergency medical care and transport patients.

Evidence-Based Medicine

Medical care based on the best available scientific research, clinical experience, and patient needs.

Health Equity

Ensuring everyone has a fair opportunity to achieve their best possible health.

Just Culture

A workplace approach that encourages reporting mistakes and focuses on learning and improvement rather than blame.

Licensure

Legal permission from a government agency allowing someone to practice a profession.

Medical Director

A physician who oversees EMS clinical care, protocols, and provider performance.

Medical Oversight

Physician supervision and guidance of EMS personnel and patient care.

Mobile Integrated Healthcare

A healthcare model where EMS providers help deliver care and preventive services outside traditional emergency responses.

National EMS Education Standards

National guidelines that outline what EMS students should learn at each certification level.

National EMS Information System

A nationwide database that collects EMS patient care and response information.

National EMS Scope of Practice Model

A national document that defines the skills and responsibilities for each EMS provider level.

Paramedic

The highest-level EMS provider trained to perform advanced medical procedures and administer many medications.

Primary Prevention

Actions taken to prevent a disease or injury before it occurs.

Public Health

The science and practice of protecting and improving the health of communities and populations.

Public Safety Answering Point

A 911 call center that receives emergency calls and dispatches emergency responders.

Quality Assurance

A process that checks whether EMS care meets established standards and requirements.

Quality Improvement

An ongoing process of analyzing performance and making changes to improve patient care and outcomes.

Secondary Prevention

Actions that detect and treat a disease or condition early to prevent it from worsening.

Social Drivers of Health

Non-medical factors such as income, education, housing, and transportation that affect a person's health.