High Liability All Vocabulary

Emergency medical services (EMS) system

A network of trained professionals linked together to provide advanced out-of-hospital emergency care for victims of sudden traumatic injury or illness

Emergency medical technician (EMT)

A trained emergency responder who provides a higher level of prehospital care than a criminal justice first-aid provider

Paramedic

An advanced EMS provider trained to give higher-level emergency medical care and transport support

Criminal justice first-aid provider

A criminal justice officer who gives basic emergency first aid until higher medical care arrives

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Protective equipment used to reduce exposure to infection and bodily fluids during patient care

Duty to act

A legal responsibility to provide care when required by your role and circumstances

Standard of care

The care expected to be provided to the same patient under the same conditions as would any criminal justice first-aid provider with the same level of training

Scope of care

The degree and kind of care a provider is trained and expected to give in a specific situation

Good Samaritan Act

A law that may protect a first-aid provider from liability when giving emergency care in good faith and within training

Abandonment

Stopping care after beginning it without ensuring the patient receives equal or greater care

Negligence

Failure to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonably prudent provider with similar training

Breach of standard of care

Failing to provide the care that a reasonably prudent provider with similar training would provide in the same situation

Causation

The direct link between a provider’s act or failure to act and the injury or harm suffered by the patient

Damages

Actual harm or injury suffered by the patient as a result of negligence

Consent

Permission from a patient to provide medical care

Expressed consent

Consent that is clearly stated verbally, in writing, or by gesture

Implied consent

Consent assumed when a patient cannot give permission but a reasonable person would want care in an emergency

Informed consent

Consent given after the patient understands the risks, benefits, and nature of the care

Competent adult

An adult who can understand the situation and make an informed decision about care

Refusal of care

A competent patient’s decision to decline treatment or stop treatment after it begins

Battery

Unlawful touching or providing care without consent

Emancipated minor

A minor who is legally able to make their own decisions, including medical decisions

Advance directive

A legal document explaining a person’s wishes about future medical treatment

Do-not-resuscitate order (DNR or DNRO)

A legal order for licensed medical personnel regarding resuscitation, but not something a criminal justice first-aid provider follows instead of acting

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law protecting patient medical information

Medical alert jewelry

Bracelets, necklaces, or similar identifiers that may show a patient’s condition or emergency information, but should not make you assume the current emergency is only related to that condition

ICE contact

In Case of Emergency contact information that may help identify or notify someone for the patient

Crime scene

A location connected to criminal activity where evidence must be protected

Patient communication

The process of calmly and clearly speaking with a patient to gather information and provide reassurance

Guide dog

A trained dog that assists a blind or visually impaired person

Developmental disability

A condition affecting physical or mental development that may change how a patient communicates or understands directions

Dementia

A condition involving loss of memory, judgment, and thinking ability that may affect emergency communication

Respiratory system

The body system responsible for breathing, bringing in oxygen, and removing carbon dioxide

Nose

An upper airway structure that allows air to enter the body

Mouth

An upper airway opening that allows air into the respiratory system

Throat

The passageway leading air from the nose and mouth toward the lower airway

Larynx

The voice box that helps protect the airway and connect the throat to the trachea

Trachea

The windpipe that carries air to and from the lungs

Epiglottis

A flap of tissue that covers the trachea during swallowing to keep food and liquid out of the airway

Diaphragm

The main muscle used for breathing

Circulatory system

The body system that pumps blood, delivers oxygen and nutrients, and removes wastes

Cardiovascular system

Another name for the circulatory system

Heart

The muscular organ that pumps blood through the body

Arteries

Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart

Veins

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart

Capillaries

Tiny blood vessels where oxygen and nutrient exchange occurs

Carotid artery

A major artery in the neck used to check a pulse

Brachial artery

A major artery in the upper arm used to check a pulse

Femoral artery

A major artery in the groin used to check a pulse

Radial artery

A major artery in the wrist used to check a pulse

Skeletal system

The body system made of bones that supports the body and protects organs

Muscular system

The body system that works with bones to create movement

Integumentary system

The body system made up mainly of the skin, which protects the body

Skin

The body’s largest organ that protects from bacteria, harmful substances, and temperature extremes

Nervous system

The body system that controls voluntary and involuntary activities and sends messages through the body

Central nervous system

The brain and spinal cord

Peripheral nervous system

The nerves outside the brain and spinal cord that carry messages between the body and central nervous system

Pathogen

A microorganism that can cause disease

Bloodborne pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism spread through blood or certain bodily fluids

Airborne pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism spread through the air

Bodily fluids

Liquids in the body such as blood, saliva, mucus, vomit, semen, and vaginal secretions

Universal precautions

The practice of treating all blood and bodily fluids as potentially infectious

Body substance isolation (BSI)

Infection-control practice that treats all body substances as potentially infectious

Standard precautions

Infection-control approach combining universal precautions, BSI, hand hygiene, PPE, and protection from airborne disease

Hand hygiene

Cleaning the hands to reduce the spread of infection

Disposable gloves

Single-use gloves worn to prevent contamination from blood and bodily fluids

Biohazardous waste

Contaminated waste that must be handled and disposed of safely

Sharps container

A puncture-resistant container used to dispose of needles and other sharp contaminated items

Hepatitis B

A bloodborne viral infection that affects the liver and can spread through infected blood and body fluids

Hepatitis C

A bloodborne viral infection of the liver spread mainly through direct blood contact

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

A bloodborne virus that attacks the immune system

COVID-19

An infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact

Tuberculosis (TB)

A contagious airborne disease that usually affects the lungs

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a resistant bacterial infection often spread by contact with infected wounds or drainage

Hepatitis A

A viral infection spread mainly by the fecal-oral route through poor hygiene or contaminated food or water

Scene size-up

The first assessment of the scene to identify hazards, number of patients, need for help, and whether the emergency is trauma or medical

Scene safety

Making sure the environment is safe before approaching the patient

Mechanism of injury

The force, event, or motion that caused a traumatic injury

Nature of illness

The type of medical problem affecting a patient when trauma is not the cause

Trauma patient

A patient whose condition results from an external physical injury

Medical patient

A patient whose condition results from illness or non-traumatic medical causes

Initial assessment

The first check of a patient to identify immediate life threats

Level of consciousness (LOC)

A measure of how awake, aware, and responsive a patient is during assessment

AVPU

A method of assessing responsiveness: Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive

Primary assessment

A rapid assessment for the most immediate life-threatening conditions

MARCH

A priority-based trauma assessment: Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respirations, Circulation, Hypothermia or Head injury

Massive hemorrhage

Severe uncontrolled bleeding that can quickly kill the patient if not controlled first

Airway

The path air follows into and out of the lungs

Respirations

Breathing in and out; in triage and assessment this is checked early because airway and breathing problems are immediately life threatening

Circulation

The movement of blood through the body and the presence of pulse and skin signs showing perfusion

Hypothermia

Dangerously low body temperature or concern for heat loss in injured patients

Head injury

Trauma affecting the skull or brain that can become life threatening

Secondary assessment

A more detailed exam after immediate life threats are managed

DOTS

A physical assessment method checking for Deformities, Open injuries, Tenderness, and Swelling

PMS

Extremity assessment checking Pulse, Motor function, and Sensation

Chief complaint

The main problem or reason the patient needs help

Ongoing assessment

Reassessment performed after the primary and secondary assessments while waiting for EMS or transport; reassess about every 15 minutes if stable and every 5 minutes if unstable

Stable patient

A patient whose condition is not rapidly worsening

Unstable patient

A patient whose condition is serious and may rapidly get worse, requiring more frequent reassessment

Recovery position

A side-lying position used for an unresponsive breathing patient with no suspected spinal injury to help protect the airway