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54 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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The EMS system is governed by
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the laws in each state and are typically regulated by a state office of EMS.
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Once you obtain your certification, you will be eligible to apply for the state
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licensure- this is how states control who is allowed to perform as a health care provider.
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Advanced EMT (AEMT)
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An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications.
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advanced life support (ALS)
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Advanced lifesaving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT
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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
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Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination
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Automated external defibrillator (AED)
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A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias ( ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient.
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Continuous quality improvement (CQI)
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A system of internal and external reviews and audits of an EMS system
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Emergency medical dispatch (EMD)
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A system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance and in providing callers with vital instructions until the arrival of the EMS crews
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emergency medical responder (EMR)
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The first trained individual, such as a police officer, fire fighter, lifeguard, or other rescuer, to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance.
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Emergency medical services (EMS)
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a multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured.
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Emergency medical technician (EMT)
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An individual with fundamental knowledge of emergency care and provide BLS care, has training in basic life support including automated external defibrillation, use of a definitive airway adjunct, bleeding control, bandaging and splinting, basic airway management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and assisting patients with certain medications.
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Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
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Federal legislation passed in 1996. Its main effect in EMS is in limiting availability of patients' health care information and penalizing violations of patient privacy.
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Intravaneous (IV) therapy
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The delivery of medication directly into a vein
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licensure
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The process whereby a state allows individuals to perform a regulated act
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medical control
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Physician instructions that are given directly by radio or cell phone (online/direct) or indirectly by protocol/guidelines (off-line/indirect), as authorized by the medical director of the service program
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medical director
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The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field
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National EMS Scope of Practice Model
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A document created by the National Highway of Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS providers.
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paramedic
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An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills.
They have solid knowledge of BLS and comprehensive knowledge of emergency medical care and provide ALS interventions |
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primary prevention
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Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring.
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Primary service area (PSA)
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The designated area in which the EMS service is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transportation to the hospital
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Public health
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Focused on examining the health needs of entire populations with the goal of preventing health problems
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Public safety access point
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A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire fighting and ambulance services
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Quality controls
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The responsibility of the medical director to ensure that the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call.
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Secondary prevention
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Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent
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Most states have four training and licensure levels:
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-EMR
-EMT -Advanced EMT (AEMT) -Paramedic |
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EMT has training in basic life support (BLS) including:
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-Automated external defibrillation
-Airway adjuncts -Medication assistance |
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AEMT has training in advanced life support (ALS), including:
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-Intravenous (IV) therapy
-Administration of certain emergency medications |
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Licensure requirements differ from state to state but general requirements to be an EMT are:
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-high school diploma or equivalent
-Proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases -Valid driver's license |
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Successful completion of an EMT includes
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-BLS/ CPR course
-state- approved EMT course -State-recognized written certification exam -State-recognized practical certification exam |
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Federal level of training:
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National EMS Scope of Practice Model provides guidelines for EMS skills
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State level:
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Laws regulate EMS provider operations
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Local level:
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Medical director decides day-to-day limits of EMS personnel
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EMT course requires about
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150 hours
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The 14 components of the EMS System are:
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1. Public access
2. Communication systems 3. Clinical care 4. Human Resources 5. Medical direction\ 6. Legislation and regulation 7. Integration of health services 8. Evaluation 9. Information systems 10. System finance 11. Education systems 12. Prevention 13. Public education 14. EMS research |
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Public access
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emergency medical dispatch (EMD) system gives callers medical instructions until EMS arrival
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Communication Systems
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From caller info, dispatcher selects the appropriate parts of the emergency system to activate such as the fire dept or police dept
-new technology such as cell phones linked to GPS helps locate patients |
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Clinical Care
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-describes pieces of equipment
-describes scope of practice for using that equipment -Familiarizes EMTs with ambulance controls with their primary service area (PSA) |
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Human Resources
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Focuses on people who deliver the care:
-compensation -well-being -interaction with other members of medical community *Efforts are underway to allow EMS providers to move from state to state |
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Medical direction
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-Physician medical director authorizes EMTs to provide medical care in field
-Appropriate care is described in standing orders and protocols -Can be given off-line or online ------off-line (indirect)- standing orders, training, supervision Online (direct)- Doctors directions given over the phone or radio |
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Legislation and Regulation
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-training, protocols, and practice follow state legislation
-Senior EMS official handles admin tasks such as: --scheduling, personnel, budgets, purchasing, vehicle maintence |
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Integration of Health Services
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- Prehospital care by EMT is coordinated with care administered by hospital
-Care simply continues in the emergency dept -ensures pt receives comprehensive continuity of care |
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Evaluation
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-Medical director maintains quality control
-Continuous quality improvement (CQI) reviews and audits EMS system -minimizing errors is the goal -refresher training or continuing education are important |
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Information Systems
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-Used to document care provided
-Once stored electronically, can be used to improve care -Can help determine: --average on-scene time for trauma pts -national trends -need for educational sessions |
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Systems finance
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-finance systems vary depending on organization involved
-personnel may be paid, volunteer or a mix EMTs may be involved with: -gathering insurance info -attending fund-raisers -other activities to secure finances |
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education systems
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-EMS instructors are licensed in most states
-ALS training is provided in college, adult career center, or hospital settings -continuing education to update and refresh skills |
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prevent and public education
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-Prevention and public education are two components of the EMS system with a focus on public health i.e.
-vaccination programs -helmet laws -clean drinking water -seatbelt laws, etc EMS works with public health agencies on primary prevention and secondary prevention |
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EMS Research
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-Helps determine the shape and impact of EMS on community
-Evidence-based decision making is based on research |
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Roles and Responsibilities of the EMT
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-Keep vehicles and equipment ready for an emergency
-Ensure safety of yourself, partner, patient, and bystanders - Operate an emergency vehicle - Be an on-scene leader -Perform an evaluation of the scene -Call for additional resources as needed -Gain patient access -Perform a patient assessment -Give emergency medical care to patient while awaiting arrival of additional medical resources -Only move patients when absolutely necessary to preserve life -Give emotional support to patient, family, other responders -Maintain continuity of care by working with other medical professionals -Resolve emergency incidents -Uphold medical and legal standards -Ensure and protect patient privacy -Give administrative support -Constantly continue professional development -Cultivate and sustain community relations -Give back to the profession |
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Professional Attributes are
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-Integrity (consistency of honest behavior/actions
-Empathy- aware and thoughtful to needs of others -Self-motivation- able to discover problems and solve them without someone directing you -Appearance& Hygiene- Using your persona to present a sense of trust, professionalism and knowledge - Self-confidence-- The state of being where an EMT knows what he knows AND knows what he does not know; is able to ask for help -Time Management-- Ability to perform or delegate multiple tasks ensuring efficiency and safety - Communications-- Ability to understand others and have them understand you - Teamwork and diplomacy- working with others - Respect-- placing others in high regards/importance - Patient advocacy-- constantly keeping the needs of the patient are the center of care -Careful delivery of care-- paying attn to detail |
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The EMT defibrillates a cardiac arrest patient, begins CPR, and then contacts medical control is an example of what?
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Standing orders. Involves performing certain life-saving interventions before contacting a physician for further instructions
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Quality control in an EMS system is the ultimate responsibility of the:
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Medical Director
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What should be the EMT's HIGHEST priority?
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Sizing up every scene prior to entering. Personal safety is of utmost concern for the EMT. This will ensure the safety of all personnel.
-second priority would be maintaining patient airway -third priority would be to control severe bleeding |
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A patient who requires CARDIAC MONITORING in the field would require, at a minimum, which level of EMS provider?
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Paramedic. -because they are trained in advanced medical care, including cardiac monitoring, IV therapy and the administratison of a variety of emergency drug
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Even if the patient is not facing a true emergency but still requests that you transport him to the hospital, you are legally obligated to do so. True or False?
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True. If you do not, you could be held liable for abandonment.
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