Chapter 1 - EMS Systems (Vocabulary)

public safety access point

A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire, and ambulance services.

automated external defibrillator (AED)

A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient.

National EMS Scope of Practice Model

A document created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS providers.

community paramedicine

A health care model in which experienced paramedics receive advanced training to equip them to provide additional services in the prehospital environment, such as health evaluations, monitoring of chronic illnesses or conditions, and patient advocacy.

mobile integrated healthcare (MIH)

A method of delivering health care which involves providing health care within the community rather than at a physicians' office or hospital.

emergency medical services (EMS)

A multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured.

certification

A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical care.

continuous quality improvement (CQI)

A system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system.

emergency medical dispatch (EMD)

A system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance and provides callers with vital instructions until the arrival of EMS crews.

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination.

secondary prevention

Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent.

primary prevention

Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring.

emergency medical responder (EMR)

The first trained professional, such as a police officer, firefighters, lifeguard, or other rescuer, to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance.

medical director

The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field.

licensure

The process whereby a competent authority, usually the state, allows people to perform a regulated act.

quality control

The responsibility of the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call.

advanced life support (ALS)

Advanced lifesaving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT.

paramedic

An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills.

emergency medical technician (EMT)

An individual who has training in basic life support, including automated external defibrillation, use of a definitive airway adjunct, and assisting patients with certain medications.

advanced EMT (AEMT)

An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

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.

public health

Focused on examining the health needs of entire populations with the goal of preventing health problems.

medical control

Physician instructions 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.

intravenous (IV) therapy

The delivery of medication directly into a vein.

primary service area (PSA)

The designated area in which the EMS agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transportation to the hospital.