Emergency Medical Responder Chapters 1 - 3: Vocabulary

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System

The chain of human resources and services linked together to provide continuous emergency care at the scene and during transport to a medical facility.

Off-line Medical direction

An EMS system's written standing orders and protocols, which authorize personnel to perform particular skills in certain situations without actually speaking to the medical director or her designated agent (A.K.A. indirect medical direction)

On-line Medical Direction

Orders to perform a skill or administer care from the on-duty physician, given to the rescuer in person, by radio, or by phone. (A.K.A. direct medical direction)

Scope of Practice

The care that an Emergency Medical Responder, an Emergency Medical Technician, or a Paramedic is allowed and expected to provide according to local, state, or regional regulations and statutes.

Protocols

Written guidelines that direct the care EMS personnel provide for patients.

Standing Orders

The medical director's specific instructions for medical conditions or injuries.

Emergency Medical Dispatcher

A member of the EMS system who provides prearrival instructions to callers, thereby helping to initiate lifesaving care before EMS personnel arrive.

Emergency Care

The prehospital assessment and basic care for the ill or injured patient.

Medical Director

A physician who assumes the ultimate responsibility for medical oversight of the patient care aspects of the Emergency Medical Service system.

Advance Directive

A document that allows a patient to define in advance what their wishes are, should they become incapacitated due to a medical illness or severe injury.

Capacity

Refers to a patient's legal rights and ability to make decisions concerning their medical care.

Competence

Refers to the patient's mental ability to comprehend the situation and make rational decisions regarding their medical care.

Confidentiality

Refers to the treatment of information that an individual has disclosed in a relationship of trust and with the expectation that it will not be divulged to others.

Consent

The legal term that means to give formal permission to happen.

Informed Consent

Consent granted by a patient after they have been appropriately informed of the suggested care and associated consequences.

Expressed Consent

A competent adult's decision to accept emergency care.

Implied consent

A legal form of consent that a patient who lacks the capacity or competency to provide their own consent would consent to receiving emergency care if they were able to. This form of consent may apply in situations where the patient is a minor or unresponsive.

Good Samaritan Laws

Good Samaritan laws are designed to protect people from civil liability when acting in good faith to provide care to the level of one's training or to the best of their ability.

Negligence

A failure to provide the expected standard of care.

Standard of Care

The care that should be provided for any level of training based on local laws, administrative orders, and guidelines and protocols established by the local EMS system.

Burnout

An extreme emotional state characterized by emotional exhaustion, a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, and cynicism.

Critical Incident

Any situation that causes a rescuer to experience unusually strong emotions that interfere with the ability to function either during or after a highly stressful incident.

Infection

The condition in which the body is invaded by a disease-causing agent (pathogen)

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism, such as a virus or bacterium.

Personal Protective Equipment

Gear such as gloves, masks, gowns, eye protection, and face shields, which create a physical barrier to protect healthcare workers and patients from potential pathogens.

Universal precautions

A component of standard precautions that involves the philosophy that all patients are considered infections until proven otherwise.

Stress

An emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition that occurs in response to adverse external influences. Stress is capable of affecting physical health. It can increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and cause muscular tension, irritability, and depression.