EMS Systems
This term refers to the organized approach to providing emergency medical care, including personnel, equipment, and protocols.
What is an EMS system?
This piece of personal protective equipment is worn to protect EMTs from exposure to blood and body fluids.
What are gloves?
This type of consent occurs when a patient explicitly gives permission for treatment, either verbally or in writing.
What is expressed consent?
This is the term for the clear, concise exchange of information between EMS providers and hospital staff.
What is communication?
This component of the EMS system includes ambulances, helicopters, and the equipment used to transport patients.
What is transportation?
This term describes the practice of treating all blood and certain body fluids as if they are infectious.
What are standard precautions?
This legal principle protects a healthcare provider who acts in good faith during an emergency from being sued for negligence.
What is the Good Samaritan law?
This type of communication occurs when EMTs report a patient’s condition, history, and treatment to the receiving facility
What is a radio or verbal patient report / patient handoff?
This EMS system component is responsible for establishing rules, protocols, and standards for patient care in the field.
What is medical direction or medical oversight?
This common EMS injury occurs when lifting or moving patients incorrectly.
What is a back injury or musculoskeletal injury?
If a patient is unable to make medical decisions for themselves and has not designated a healthcare proxy, this group may legally make decisions on their behalf.
What are family members or next of kin?
This is the official written or electronic record of the patient’s assessment, care, and response to treatment.
What is the PCR (Patient Care Report)?
This part of the EMS system ensures EMTs continue learning and maintaining competency after initial certification.
What is continuing education?
This condition is caused by repeated exposure to stressful or traumatic incidents and can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and decreased performance.
What is burnout or cumulative stress or PTSD?
This occurs when an EMT intentionally or unintentionally fails to provide the standard of care that another competent EMT would provide, resulting in patient harm.
What is negligence?
Using medical terminology, accurate timing, and legible documentation are all examples of maintaining this quality in EMS records.
What is accuracy or completeness?
This EMS system component involves collecting and reviewing data to improve patient care and system performance.
What is quality improvement or quality assurance?
This federal agency sets standards and regulations to help ensure workplace safety, including in EMS operations.
What is OSHA?
This type of document outlines a patient’s wishes regarding resuscitation and life-sustaining treatments in the event they cannot communicate.
What is an advance directive or DNR order?
This type of documentation error, such as leaving out treatments or altering the record after the fact, can have serious legal consequences for EMS providers.
What is falsification?