Emergency Medical Services Key Terms

Vocabulary flashcards based on the key terms from Page 1 of the emergency medical care lecture notes.

Advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT)

A person trained to give basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system.

Certification

Achieved by obtaining and maintaining the National EMS Certification (or state certification), taking an approved EMS course and meeting other requirements; this does not grant the right to practice as licensure may in some states.

Direct medical control

A type of medical direction, also called "on-line," "base-station," "immediate" or "concurrent medical control"; under this type of medical direction, the physician speaks directly with emergency care providers at the scene of an emergency.

Emergency medical responder (EMR)

A person trained in emergency care who may be called on to give such care as a routine part of their job (paid or volunteer) until more advanced emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over; EMRs are often the first trained professionals to respond to emergencies.

Emergency medical services (EMS) system

A network of community resources and medical personnel that provides emergency medical care to people who are injured or suddenly fall ill.

Emergency medical technician (EMT)

A person who gives basic emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients who access the EMS system; EMTs are typically authorized to function after completing local and state certification requirements; formerly referred to as EMT-Basic.

Indirect medical control

A type of medical direction, also called "off-line," "retrospective" or "prospective" medical control; this type of medical direction includes education, protocol review and quality improvement for emergency care providers.

Licensure

Required acknowledgment that the bearer has permission to practice in the licensing state; offers the highest level of public protection; may be revoked at the state level should the bearer no longer meet the required standards.

Local credentialing

Local requirements EMRs must meet in order to maintain employment or obtain certain protocols so that they may practice.

Medical direction

The monitoring of care provided by out-of-hospital providers to injured or ill persons, usually by a medical director.

Medical director

A physician who provides oversight and assumes responsibility for the care of injured or ill persons provided in out-of-hospital settings.

Paramedic

An allied health professional whose primary focus is to give advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the EMS system. Paramedics may also give nonemergency, community-based care based on state and local community paramedicine or mobile integrated healthcare programs.

Prehospital care

Emergency medical care provided before a patient arrives at a hospital or medical facility.

Protocols

Standardized procedures to be followed when providing care to injured or ill persons.

Scope of practice

The range of duties and skills that are allowed and expected to be performed when necessary, according to the professional's level of training, while using reasonable care and skill.

Standing orders

Protocols issued by the medical director allowing specific skills to be performed or specific medications to be administered in certain situations.