Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, focusing on concepts, legislation, roles, and best practices in emergency medical care.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

A multidisciplinary system that provides prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured.

Advanced EMT (AEMT)

An individual trained in specific aspects of advanced life support, including intravenous therapy and certain emergency medications.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Legislation designed to protect people with disabilities from discrimination.

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

A device that detects life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias and delivers an electrical shock.

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

A system aimed at improving outcomes through internal and external reviews within an EMS system.

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

A person trained to provide initial medical assistance at the scene of an emergency.

Medical Direction

Physician instructions provided to EMS personnel either directly (online) or via protocols (offline).

Licensure

The process whereby a competent authority grants permission to practice a profession.

Patient Advocacy

Keeping the needs of the patient at the center of care.

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)

An approach that involves making medical decisions based on scientific evidence derived from research.

Credentialing

The process of verifying the qualifications of healthcare providers.

Quality Control

Oversight by the medical director to ensure standards of care are met.

Primary Prevention

Strategies intended to prevent an injury or illness from occurring.

Secondary Prevention

Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that cannot be completely prevented.

Mobile Integrated Health Care (MIH)

A healthcare delivery method that provides services within the community rather than at a hospital.

Public Safety Access Point

An emergency communication center that dispatches public safety responders.

National EMS Scope of Practice Model

Guidelines created to outline the skills each level of EMS provider should accomplish.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Federal legislation that limits the availability of patients’ health care information.

Patient Safety

Measures taken to prevent harm to patients during service delivery.

Roles and Responsibilities of the EMT

Includes ensuring safety, operating the emergency vehicle, performing assessments, and providing patient care.