EMS Systems and Professional EMT Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering EMS history, legal standards, communication, medical terminology, and patient assessment based on lecture notes.

EMR (Emergency Medical Responder)

The lowest level of EMS training providing basic care before ambulance arrival, typically including police, firemen, and lifeguards; requires $50$-$80$ hours.

EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)

Considered the backbone of the EMS system; training is more extensive than EMR ($150$-$200$ hours) and includes airway adjuncts and certain medications.

AEMT (Advanced Emergency Medical Technician)

EMS provider with training in IV therapy, Advanced Life Support (ALS), and a limited number of emergency medications; requires $200$-$400$ hours.

Paramedic

The highest level of EMS training involving extensive Advanced Life Support (ALS), intubation, emergency pharmacology, and cardiac monitoring; requires $1000$-$2000$ hours.

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

The federal level agency that creates EMS guidelines and standards.

PSA (Primary Service Area)

The specific sector or location where an EMS ambulance service operates and controls.

Medical Director

A physician who authorizes EMTs to provide medical care in the field and is responsible for maintaining Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI).

Standing Orders

Protocols or series of steps that describe appropriate care based on EMT training; these establish medical direction for providers without needing to call a physician.

Online Medical Control

Medical direction provided in an imperfect situation where the EMT calls medical help via phone or radio to receive orders.

Offline Medical Control

Medical direction consisting of standing orders, training, and supervision that do not require making calls.

Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)

A new method of delivering healthcare within the community by a team of professionals, evolved from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

CQI (Continuous Quality Improvement)

A system of internal and external reviews and audits of an EMS system to minimize errors and identify need for refresher training.

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; legislation that binds EMTs to patient confidentiality and protects healthcare information.

Eustress

A term used to describe 'good' stress.

Distress

A term used to describe 'bad' stress.

CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management)

A process used to decrease the likelihood of PTSD by providing stress education and defusing after a critical incident.

Fomite

An inanimate object that transmits disease via indirect contact, such as a needle stick.

HEPA Mask

High Efficiency Particulate Air mask providing $95\%$ protection; used for communicable diseases such as Tuberculosis or COVID-19.

OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration)

Federal agency that protects employees by developing guidelines for workplace safety, including infection control.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

A colorless, odorless gas that combines with hemoglobin $200$ times more effectively than oxygen.

Expressed Consent

When a patient specifically acknowledges that he or she wants the provider to provide care.

Informed Consent

Consent given after the nature of treatment, including risks, benefits, and alternatives, has been explained to the patient.

Implied Consent

A legal principle (Emergency Doctrine) that allows treatment of an unconscious or incapable patient.

In Loco Parentis

Legal principle allowing teachers or school officials to give consent for a minor if a parent or guardian is not available.

Patient Autonomy

The right of a patient to make their own decisions regarding their healthcare.

DNR (Do Not Resuscitate)

An advance directive that must contain a clear statement of medical problems and signatures from the patient/guardian and a physician.

Dependent Lividity

A definitive sign of death where blood settles to the lowest part of the body, causing skin discoloration.

Rigor Mortis

The stiffening of body muscles caused by chemical changes, occurring between $2$ to $12$ hours after death.

Putrefaction

Decomposition of body tissues occurring between $40$ to $96$ hours after death.

Scope of Practice

Commonly defined by state law; outlines the care an EMT is legally able to provide.

Standard of Care

The manner in which an EMT must act or behave, often imposed by local custom and professional standards.

Negligence

Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide; requires Duty, Breach of Duty, Damages, and Causation.

Abandonment

Unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient's consent and without making provisions for continuing care.

Assault

Unlawfully placing a person in fear of immediate bodily harm, such as threatening to restrain a patient.

Battery

Unlawfully touching a person, such as providing emergency care or applying a splint without consent.

Libel

Defamation that is communicated in writing.

Slander

Defamation that is spoken by word.

Good Samaritan Laws

Laws designed to protect citizens from liability for errors in giving good-faith emergency care, provided they act within their training and without gross negligence.

Ethnocentrism

When a person considers their own cultural values more important than others' when interacting with a different culture.

Cultural Imposition

When one imposes their beliefs or values on someone else because they believe their own are superior.

SOAP Method

A narrative format for PCR documentation consisting of Subjective info, Objective facts, Assessment, and Plan.

Simplex

Radio mode using 'push to talk' and 'release to listen' on a single frequency.

Duplex

Radio mode that allows for simultaneous talking and listening.

Saggital Plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into right and left sides.

Transverse Plane

Anatomical plane that divides the body into top and bottom sections.

Proximal

Directional term meaning closer to the torso or towards the heart.

Distal

Directional term meaning further from the torso.

Neonate

A newborn infant in the stage from birth to $1$ month.

Fontanelles

Soft spots on a neonate's head; the posterior fuses by the $3rd$ month and the anterior fuses between $9$ and $18$ months.

Moro Reflex

A startle reflex where a neonate opens arms wide and spreads fingers as if to grab objects.

Atherosclerosis

Condition in older adults where the vascular system becomes stiff, leading to cardiovascular decline.

Kyphosis

An abnormal curvature of the spine often seen in older patients.

Power Grip

A lifting technique using maximum force with palms up and hands approx. $10$ inches apart.

Rapid Extrication Technique

Technique used to move a patient from a vehicle within $1$ minute, used only when a life threat exists as it increases spinal injury risk.

Scoop Stretcher

A stretcher that splits into $2$ or $4$ pieces to fit around a patient lying on a flat surface; commonly used for orthopedic patients.

SAMPLE

Mnemonic for history taking: Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to.

OPQRST

Mnemonic for investigating pain/chief complaint: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region, Severity, and Time.

DCAP-BTLS

Mnemonic for physical assessment: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling.

AVPU

Scale for measuring level of consciousness: Alert, Verbal, Pain, and Unresponsive.

PERRL

Mnemonic for neurologic pupil assessment: Pupils Equal, Round, and Reactive to Light.