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(EMT BOOK CH.1) EMS SYSTEMS

May 1, 2025

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EMS Systems - Chapter 1 Notes

Introduction

  • Understanding the origins and structure of the emergency medical care delivery system.
  • Roles, responsibilities, and relationships of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).
  • EMT's role in the quality improvement process and different levels of EMS providers.
  • Foundations for being a competent, efficient, caring, and ethical EMT.
  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 14 components of the EMS system.
  • EMT's impact on research, data collection, and evidence-based decision-making.

EMS System Overview

  • EMS as a System: Teams of healthcare professionals providing emergency care and transportation governed by state laws.
  • Licensure: Process for state competency in examination settings.
    • Four levels: EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic.
  • EMS Training Levels:
    • EMR: Basic training, care before ambulance.
    • EMT: Basic life support, AEDs, airway adjuncts, certain medications.
    • AEMT: Advanced life support (IV therapy, emergency medications).
    • Paramedic: Extensive advanced life support (intubation, pharmacology, cardiac monitoring).

EMS System Components

  • Public Access: Easy access through 911; EMD system assists dispatchers.
  • Human Resources: Focus on people delivering care, creating a rewarding career environment.
  • Medical Direction: Physician authorizes EMTs to provide field care.
  • Legislation and Regulation: Training and protocols must follow state rules.

Training and Education

  • EMS Instructors: Licensed, programs adhere to national standards.
  • Continuing Education: Refreshers, computer-based, mannequin-based self-education.

EMS System Finance

  • Finance System: Varies by organization, personnel may be paid, volunteer, or mixed.

EMS and Public Health

  • Prevention and Public Education: Focus on preventing health problems.
    • Primary Prevention: Prevent event occurrence (e.g., pool safety education).
    • Secondary Prevention: Decrease effects post-event (e.g., helmets, seat belts).

Quality Improvement

  • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): Reviews and audits to identify improvements.
  • Patient Safety: Minimize errors from rules, knowledge, or skills-based failures.

EMS Research and Impact

  • Research: Determines EMS impact on communities, evidence-based medicine.
  • EMT Roles and Responsibilities: Vehicle readiness, safety, scene evaluation, additional resources, patient assessment and care, community relations.

Professional Attributes of EMTs

  • Integrity, Empathy, Self-motivation: Adherence to honest behavior, awareness of needs, problem-solving.
  • Appearance, Time Management, Communication: Projecting trust, efficiency, understanding others.
  • Teamwork, Respect, Patient Advocacy: Working with others, high regard for others, keeping patient's needs central.

Review Questions Overview

  • Key Topics: Standard orders, quality control, personal safety, professional responsibilities, phases of emergency care.

Note: These notes provide a high-level summary of the EMS systems focusing on roles, responsibilities, and operational components essential for EMTs.

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