EMS Systems

List 3 characteristics of a professional

(Bad attitude will get you to court) 1. Specialized Education 2. Follow Standards of conduct and performance 3. Adhere to a code of ethics

List the 8 elements of the chain of survival

1. Bystander care 2. Dispatch 3. Response 4. Prehospital care 5. Transportation 6. Emergency department care 7. Definitive care 8. Rehabilitation

List 10 attributes of a professional

1. Conforms to the standards of health care professions 2. Provides quality care (while following protocols) 3. Instills pride in profession 4. Strives for high standards 5. Earns respect of others - for the profession 6. High Societal expectations while on and off duty 7. EMS personnel occupy positions of public trust 8. Avoids unprofessional conduct 9. Commitment to excellence 10. Image and behavior

List 2 characteristics of a profession

1. Self-regulating - Boards and such 2. Maintains standards

List 4 attributes of Quality Improvement (QI)

1. System for continually evaluating and improving care 2. Continuous Quality improvement 3. Dynamic Process 4. Legal requirement in KS

List and discuss 6 different types of EMS services

1. Third service 2. Fire-based 3. PUM - Public Utility Model 4. Hospital-based 5. Private 6. Hybrid/other

List 4 types of failures that contribute to patient care errors.

1. skills-based failure - Psycho motor skills 2. rules-based failure - Protocols contribute to errors 3. knowledge-based failure - No background Patho-physiology 4. system-based errors - similar drug packaging

List 2 approaches to minimize errors

1. system repairs ( Clear protocols, light, minimal interruptions, organization and packaging of drugs) 2. Individual improvement

Define Licensure

A STATE function where an individual, after passing a test, is sanctioned by the state to perform certain functions.

Define Certification

Does not imply licensure. Certification usually involves a test, but restricts the individual to functioning under another health care professional's license.

Define National Registration

Literally being on a list. Fulfill certain educational requirements and pass a test.

Discuss how EMS fits into the trauma system

Transport to Trauma centers or appropriate destination

List 9 duties of the medical Director

1. Education and training of personnel 2. Participation in personnel selection process 3. Participation in equipment selection 4. Development of clinical protocols 5. Participate in quality improvement and problem resolution 6. Provides direct input into patient care 7. Interface between EMS providers and other health care agencies 8. Advocacy within the medical community 9. Serve as the "medical conscience" of the EMS System

List 9 less traditional roles that a paramedic may function in.

1. Emergency Departments 2. Clinics 3. Health Departments 4. Physicians office 5. Inter-facility transport 6. Critical care transport 7. Neonatal transport 8. High-risk obstetric transport 9. Research

List 8 Paramedic activities associated with high risk to patient safety.

1. Hand off - transfer of care 2. Communication issues 3. Medication issues 4. Airway Issues 5. Dropping Patients 6. Ambulance Crashes 7. Spinal Immobilization 8. E.O.S. - end of shift

List 11 affective characteristics of a professional

1. Integrity 2. Empathy 3. Self-Motivation 4. Appearance and hygiene 5. Self-confidence 6. Time management 7. Communication 8. Teamwork and diplomacy 9. Respect for patients, coworkers, and other healthcare professionals 10. Patient advocacy 11. Careful delivery of service

List the 15 components of an EMS System

1. Manpower 2. Education/training 3. Communications 4. Transportation 5. Facilities 6. Critical care units 7. Use of public safety agencies 8. Consumer participation 9. Accessibility of Care 10. Transfer of patients 11. Standardizing medical record-keeping 12. Patients information and education 13. Independent review and evaluation 14. Disaster linkage 15. Mutual aid agreements

Identify at least 1 benefit for each of the 2 types of medical direction

1. On-line allows for patient specific directions 2. Off-line allows for providers to care for life threats and continue care in the event of radio failure.

List 2 types of medical direction

1. On-line/direct 2. Off-line/indirect

List 6 reasons for the importance of EMS research

1. Outcomes-based research 2. New Procedures, Medications, and treatments 3. Quality Assurance 4. Improved patient outcomes 5. Professionalism 6. Evidence-based medicine

List 9 different operational responsibilities of the paramedic

1. Preperation 2. Response 3. Scene Assessment 4. Patient Assessment 5. Management (Protocols and Medical Direction) 6. Appropriate disposition ( Where the patient needs to go and Non-transport issues) 7. Transfer of care 8. Documentation 9. Returning to service

List & discuss examples of 3 different classifications of medical direction

1. Prospective - Occurs prior to call 2. Concurrent - Occurs during a call 3. Retrospective - QI

List and describe 2 types of research

1. Quantitative 2. Qualitative

List 4 different administrative responsibilities of the paramedic

1. Record keeping and reporting 2. Special project coordination and implementation 3. Station duties 4. Inter-agency relationships/partnerships

Define Reciprocity

Certification between states without taking additional tests. 35 states accept.