EMS Systems and Professional Practice Study Guide

**EMS Systems and Professional Practice: Week 2 Study Guide** **1. Overview of EMS Systems** - **Definition**: EMS is a network of personnel, equipment, and resources to deliver emergency care to the community​. - **Components**: - **Out-of-Hospital**: Community responders, EMS pro...

**EMS Systems and Professional Practice: Week 2 Study Guide** **1. Overview of EMS Systems** - **Definition**: EMS is a network of personnel, equipment, and resources to deliver emergency care to the community​. - **Components**: - **Out-of-Hospital**: Community responders, EMS providers, fire/rescue, hazardous materials services, law enforcement, and utilities​. - **In-Hospital**: Emergency nurses, advanced practitioners, physicians, mental health providers, and rehabilitation services​. - **Technological Advances**: - Telemedicine, smartphone apps for emergencies, and virtual consults​. **2. History and Development of EMS** - **Key Milestones**: - 1966: \"The White Paper\" identified EMS system needs​​. - 1970: Establishment of the National Registry of EMTs​. - 1973: EMS Systems Act outlined 15 components of EMS systems​. **3. Roles and Responsibilities of EMS Practitioners** - **Primary Responsibilities**: - **Preparation**: Ensure physical and mental readiness, maintain equipment, and know local geography​. - **Response**: Prioritize personal and scene safety​. - **Patient Assessment**: Includes primary, secondary, and ongoing assessments​. - **Patient Management**: Follow clinical guidelines; contact medical direction as needed​. - **Disposition and Documentation**: Transport patients appropriately and complete accurate reports​. **4. Professionalism in EMS** - **Attributes**: - Leadership, empathy, integrity, teamwork, and time management​. - Appearance reflects professionalism; clean, pressed uniforms are essential​. - **Ethics**: - Based on standards like the EMT Code of Ethics​. - Promote patient-first attitudes and quality care​. **5. EMS Protocols and Medical Oversight** - **Development**: Created by medical directors with EMS provider input​. - **Types**: - **Standing Orders**: Pre-authorized actions. - **On-line Medical Direction**: Requires real-time consultation​. - **Scope of Practice**: Defined by state regulations and medical director delegation​. **6. Education, Certification, and Licensure** - **Levels of EMS Licensure**: - EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic​. - **Continuing Education**: - Refresher courses for recertification and skill maintenance​. - **Certification Exams**: - Administered by the National Registry to establish competency​. **7. Scene Management and Quality Improvement** - **Scene Roles**: - Defined roles minimize errors and duplication​. - **Quality Improvement**: - Focuses on system-wide care evaluation, not individual punishment​. **8. Advanced EMS Concepts** - **System Status Management**: - Optimizes staffing for predicted call volume​. - **Alternative Destinations**: - Reduces system burden while ensuring appropriate care​. - **EMS Research**: - Evidence-based medicine enhances care protocols​. **9. Key Points for Practice** - Maintain professionalism by demonstrating a patient-first attitude and serving as a role model​​. - Focus on raising technical skills to an instinctual level for better patient assessment​. - Stay informed by attending EMS conferences and reviewing current trends​.