EMT Acronyms and Mnemonics

AAA

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

ABD

Abdominal Dressing

AIDS

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AMS

Acute Mountain Sickness

AMI

Acute Myocardial Infarction

ARDS

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

ACLS

Advanced Cardiac Life Support

ALS

Advanced Life Support

ABCD

Airway Breathing Circulation Disability

ETOH

Alcohol

AVPU

Alert Verbal Painful Unresponsive

ALOC

Altered Level of Consciousness

AMR

American Medical Response

AC Space

Antecubital Fossa

APGAR

Appearance Pulse Grimace Activity Respirations

AED

Automatic External Defibrillator

AICD

Automatic Internal Cardiac Defibrillator

AVL

Automatic Vehicle Location

BVM

Bag Valve Mask

BLS

Basic Life Support

BP

Blood Pressure

BSI

Body Substance Isolation

PO

By Mouth

CHP

California Highway Patrol

CPR

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

CDC

Centers for Disease Control

CNS

Central Nervous System

CVA

Cerebral Vascular Accident

CSF

Cerebrospinal Fluid

CHEMTREC

Chemical Transportation Emergency Response Center

C/C

Chief Complaint

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

CSM

Circulation Sensation Motor

C/O

Complaining Of

CBC

Complete Blood Count

CAD

Computer Aided Dispatch

CHF

Congestive Heart Failure

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

CABG

Coronary Artery Bypass Graft

CAD

Coronary Artery Disease

CISD

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

CISM

Critical Incident Stress Management

DCS

Decompression Sickness

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis

DCAPBTLS

Deformities Depressions, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrations Paradoxical Motion, Bruising Bleeding Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling

DT's

Delirium Tremens

DOT

Department of Transportation

DERM

Depth of Coma Eyes Respiratory Motor

DKA

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

DM

Diabetic Mellitus

DNR

Do Not Resuscitate

GTTS

Drops

EKG/ECG

Electrocardiogram

EPCR

Electronic Patient Care Report

ED

Emergency Department

EMD

Emergency Medical Dispatch

EMS

Emergency Medical Services

EMSA

Emergency Medical Services Agency

ER

Emergency Room

ESRD

End Stage Renal Disease

ET(T)

Endotracheal Tube

ED

Erectile Disfunction

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival

FCC

Federal Communications Commision

FD

Fire Department

GI

Gastrointestinal

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

HIPAA

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HgB

Hemoglobin

HAV

Hepatitis A Virus

HBV

Hepatitis B Virus

HACE

High Altitude Cerebral Edema

HAPE

High Altitude Pulmonary Edema

HEPA

High Efficiency Particle Aspirator

HPI

History of Present Illness

HIV

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

ICS

Incident Command System

ICP

Intracranial Pressure

IM

Intramuscular

IV

Intravenous

JVD

Jugular Venous Distension

AEIOUTIPS

LOC Diagnostic Tool

LMP

Last Menstrual Period

LOC

Level of Consciousness

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

PR

Medications via Rectal route

MDC

Mobile Data Computer

MDT

Mobile Data Terminal

MVA

Motor Vehicle Accident

MCI

Multi casualty Incident

MI

Myocardial Infarction

NPA

Nasopharyngeal Airway

NFPA

National Fire Protection Administration

NHTSA

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NIH

National Institute of Health

NTG

Nitroglycerin

NS

Normal Saline

NPO

Nothing by Mouth

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OES

Office of Emergency Services

OPQRST

Onset, Provoking/Palliating, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time

OTC

Over the Counter

PMH

Past Medical History

PCR

Patient Care Report

PID

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PFD

Personal Flotation Device

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment

PtL

Pharyngeotracheal Lumen Airway

PASG

Pneumatic Anti shock Garmet

PD

Police Department

PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PSI

Pound per Square Inch

PVC

Premature Ventricular Contraction

PMD

Private Medical Doctor

PIO

Public Information Officer

PSAP

Public Safety Answering Point

PMS

Pulse Motor Sensation

PERL

Pupils Equal and Reactive to Light

PTT

Push to Talk

RBC

Red Blood Cells

RPM

Respiratory Perfusion Mental Status

SLUDGE M

Salivation Lacrimation Urination Defecation GI upset Emesis Miosis

SCBA

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus

SCUBA

Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus

SART

Sexual Abuse Response Team

SOB

Shortness of Breath

SAMPLE

Sign/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last oral intake, Events leading up to illness/injury

S/S

Signs and Symptoms

START

Simple Triage and Rapid Transport

SC

Subcutaneous

SOAP

Subjective Objective Assessment Plan

SL

Sublingual

SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

TIC

Tenderness Instability and Crepitus

TKO

To Keep Open

TBSA

Total Body Surface Area

TA

Traffic Accident

TC

Traffic Collision

TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack

TB

Tuberculosis

PPD

Tuberculosis Skin Test

UHF

Ultra High Frequency

UTI

Urinary Tract Infection

VF

Ventricular Fibrillation

VT

Ventricular Tachycardia

VHF

Very High Frequency

WBC

White Blood Cells