Los Angeles County EMS Policy & Protocol Exam Review

Flashcard set covering key definitions, policies (500, 800, 1200, 1300 series), and medical conditions for Los Angeles County EMS providers.

Most Accessible Receiving Facility (MAR)

The nearest hospital that can provide emergency medical services to a patient.

SART (Sexual Assault Response Team)

An evaluation center for victims of sexual assault; certain patients may be released to law enforcement for direct transport here.

BRUE

Brief Resolved Unexplained Event; specific diagnosis criteria and destination policies apply for pediatric patients.

Perinatal

A term pertaining to transport destination as defined in Policy $511$.

Medical Alert Center (MAC)

The entity responsible for managing mass casualty incidents as defined in Policy $519$.

Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC)

A facility equipped to manage complex stroke patients with possible large vessel occlusions, often identified by the LAMS.

LAMS (Los Angeles Motor Scale)

A stroke severity scale utilized in the field to identify patients who would benefit from transport to a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

POLST

Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment; a form used to convey patient wishes for medical treatment.

Rigor Mortis and Lividity

The specific assessments that must be performed to declare death in the field by Ref. No. $814$.

Agitated Delirium

A life-threatening medical emergency requiring immediate field treatment with midazolam.

Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices (MCSD)

Devices used to assist heart function that require specific field assessment per Policy $1206$.

PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity)

A rhythm identified during cardiac arrest with reversible causes such as hypovolemia.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; used for moderate to severe respiratory distress to reduce intubations and lower mortality by reducing preload and afterload.

Transcutaneous Pacing (TCP)

A procedure initiated based on hemodynamics for symptomatic bradycardia or heart block.

Adenosine

A medication used in the management of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).

mLAPSS

Modified Los Angeles Prehospital Stroke Screen; used to recognize acute stroke in the field.

Last Known Well Time (LKWT)

The critical time point used to determine patient eligibility for TPA and/or interventional procedures.

Dystonic Reaction

A condition characterized by muscle spasms, field treatment for which is diphenhydramine.

Hospital Emergency Response Team (HERT)

A specialized team that can be requested for patients with complex scenarios like crush syndrome or entrapment.

Crush Syndrome

A condition resulting from the release of toxins, including potassium and lactic acid, from the cells.

Pediatric Protocol Suffix

Pediatric protocols are designated with the letter 'P' (e.g., $1200\text{-P}$).

King LT

An airway device authorized for use in Los Angeles County for specific age groups.

Base Contact vs. Notification

Base Contact involves seeking medical direction/orders, while Notification is alerting the facility of arrival.

Needle Thoracostomy

A procedure indicated only for a tension pneumothorax, with specific anatomical locations authorized in LA County.

Pediatric Definition

The definition of a child is set by LA County EMS Policy $1350$.

Midazolam

The indicated treatment for agitated delirium and pediatric seizures.

Hemorrhage

The most common reason for cardiac arrest in trauma patients.

Intraosseous (IO) Access

Vascular access utilized when IV access is unavailable, which may cause local tissue damage if infiltration occurs.