Emergency Medical Services Overview

EMS Systems Overview

• EMS is a network of personnel, equipment, and resources delivering emergency care.
• Components include out-of-hospital (community responders, fire/rescue, utilities) and in-hospital (nurses, advanced practitioners, physicians).
• Technological advances include telemedicine, smartphone apps, and virtual consults.

EMS History and Development

• 1966: "The White Paper" identified EMS system needs.
• 1970: National Registry of EMTs established.
• 1973: EMS Systems Act outlined key EMS system components.

EMS Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities

• Preparation involves physical/mental readiness, equipment maintenance, and local geography knowledge.
• Response prioritizes personal and scene safety.
• Patient assessment includes primary, secondary, and ongoing assessments.
• Patient management follows clinical guidelines and contacts medical direction.
• Disposition involves transporting patients appropriately and completing accurate reports.

EMS Professionalism

• Attributes include leadership, empathy, integrity, teamwork, and time management.
• Appearance reflects professionalism through clean, pressed uniforms.
• Ethics are based on standards (e.g., EMT Code of Ethics) promoting patient-first attitudes and quality care.

EMS Protocols and Medical Oversight

• EMS protocols are developed by medical directors with input from EMS providers.
• Types include standing orders (pre-authorized actions) and on-line medical direction (real-time consultation).
• Scope of practice is defined by state regulations and medical director delegation.

EMS Education, Certification, and Licensure

• EMS licensure levels include EMR, EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic.
• Continuing education provides recertification and skill maintenance.
• Certification exams are administered by the National Registry to ensure competency.

Scene Management and Quality Improvement

• Scene roles are defined to minimize errors and duplication.
• Quality improvement focuses on system-wide, not individual, care evaluations.

Advanced EMS Concepts

• System status management optimizes staffing for call volume.
• Alternatives to the primary destination help reduce system burden and improve patient care.
• EMS research utilizes evidence-based medicine to enhance care protocols.

Key Points for Practice

• Maintain professionalism with a patient-first attitude and role modeling.
• Develop technical skills to an instinctual level for better patient assessment.
• Stay informed by attending EMS conferences and reviewing current trends.