AAOS 12th Edition Chapter 1: EMS Systems Flashcards

Comprehensive flashcards covering EMS system concepts, history, levels of training, roles, medical oversight, and review questions from Chapter 1.

Who is the series editor for the AAOS Twelfth Edition Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured?

Andrew N. Pollak, MD, FAAOS.

What are the four training and licensure levels in most states for EMS?

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic.

What is the training focus and role of an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)?

An EMR has very basic training, provides care before an ambulance arrives, and may assist in an ambulance.

What basic life support (BLS) skills are included in EMT training?

Automated external defibrillation, airway adjuncts, and assisting patients with certain medications.

What specific advanced life support (ALS) skills are added at the AEMT level?

Intravenous (IV) therapy, advanced airway adjuncts, and administration of a limited number of emergency medications.

What advanced training and skill set are required for a Paramedic?

1,000 to more than 1,300 hours of classroom and internship training covering endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills.

What are the four learning activities that comprise an EMT course?

1) Reading assignments, lecture presentations, and classroom discussions; 2) Step-by-step demonstrations; 3) Summary skills sheets; 4) Case presentations and scenarios.

How many training hours does an EMT course typically require?

About 150 to 200 hours.

What landmark publication in 1966 established the modern EMS system?

Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.

When was the first EMT textbook published, and by whom?

In 1971 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

When did the Department of Transportation (DOT) publish the first EMT training curriculum?

Early 1970s.

What role does Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) play regarding EMT employment?

It protects EMTs with disabilities who are seeking employment and may require modifying the work environment or how the job is performed.

What are the roles of the federal, state, and local levels in regulating EMS levels of training?

The federal level provides guidelines via the National EMS Scope of Practice Model; state laws regulate EMS operations; and the local medical director provides oversight and support.

What is the difference between off-line and online medical control?

Off-line (indirect) medical control consists of standing orders, training, and supervision. Online (direct) medical control consists of physician directions given over the phone or radio.

What is Mobile Integrated Health Care (MIH)?

A method of health care delivery utilizing the prehospital spectrum that evolved with the goal of improving access to health care at an affordable price within the community.

What is Just Culture in EMS quality evaluation?

A learning culture that holds employees accountable for behavioral choices by balancing fairness and accountability.

What continuous quality improvement (CQI) process cycle is used to minimize errors in EMS systems?

The plan-do-study-act cycle.

What pilot program was implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2020 to reimburse EMS systems for appropriate care delivery and transport to alternative destinations?

Emergency Triage, Treat, and Transport (ET3).

Which level of EMS provider is required at a minimum to perform cardiac monitoring in the field?

Paramedic.

What is an EMT's highest priority when responding to a call?

Ensuring personal safety.

What action should an EMT take upon arriving at the scene of a domestic dispute where yelling and breaking glass are heard inside?

Retreat to a safe place until the police arrive.

Who holds ultimate responsibility for quality control in an EMS system?

The medical director.

What is the first progressive phase in emergency patient care?

Incident recognition.

Which situation is MOST likely to disqualify a person from receiving EMS certification?

Driving under the influence of alcohol.

What are the three types of failures that patient safety measures aim to minimize?

Rules-based failure, knowledge-based failure, and skill-based failure (or a combination).