Emt
English → English · 207 words
| English | English |
|---|---|
| Advanced emt (aemt) | An individual who has trained in specific aspects of advanced life support such as intravenous therapy and the administration of certain emergency medications |
| Advanced life support (ALS) | Advanced lifesaving procedures some of which are now being provided by the emt |
| Americans with disabilities act (ADA) | Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect people with disabilities against discrimination |
| Automated external defibrillator (AED) | A device that detects treatable life-threading cardiac dysrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate shock to patient |
| Certification | A process in which a person an institution or a program is evaluated and recognized provided safe and ethical care |
| Community paramedicine | A health care model in which experienced paramedics receive advanced training to equip them to provide additional services in the prehospital environment such as health evaluations monitoring or chronic illnesses or conditions and patient advocacy |
| Health insurance portability and accountability act (HIPAA) | Federal legislation passed in 1986 its main effect in ems is in limiting availability of patients health care information and penalizing violations of patients privacy |
| Intravenous (IV) therapy | The delivery of medication directly into a vein |
| Licensure | The process whereby a competent authority usually the state allows people to perform a regulated act |
| Medical control | Physician instructions given directly by radio or cell phone (online /direct) or indirectly by protocol / guidelines (off-line / indirect ) as authorized by the medical director of the service program |
| Medical director | The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field |
| Mobile integrated healthcare (MIH) | A method of delivering health care which involves providing Heath care within the community rather than at a physicians office or hospital |
| national EMS scope of practice model | a document created by the national highway traffic safety administered (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS providers |
| paramedic | an individual who has extensive training in advanced life support including endotracheal intubation emergency pharmacology cardiac monitoring and other advanced assessment and treatment skills |
| primary prevnetion | efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occuring |
| primary service area (PSA) | the designated area in which ems agency is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transpotatio to the hospital |
| public health | focused on examining the health needs of entire populations with the goal of preventing health problems |
| public safety access point | a call center staffed by trained personnel who are responibie for managing requests for police, fire and ambulance services |
| quality control | the responsibility of the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care stanards are met by EMTs on each call |
| secondary prevention | efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent |
| 14 components of the ems system | 1. public access 2. communication system 3. clinical care 4.Human Resources 5. medical direction 6. legislation and reulation 7. integrattion of health services 8. mobil integrated healthcare 9. evaluation 10. information system 11.system Finance 12. education system 13.prevention and public education 14.ems research |
| accute stress reactions | reactions to stress that occurs during a strssful situation |
| airborne transmission | the spread of an organism via droplets or dust |
| bloodborne pathogens | pathogenics microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. these pathogens include but are no limited to hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) |
| center for disease control and prevention (CDC) | the primary federal agency that conducts and supports public health activities in thye united states the CDC is part of the US department of Health and Human Services |
| communicable disease | a disease that can be spread from one person or species to another |
| concealment | the presence of infection organisms on or in objects such as dressings,water, food, neddles, wounds, or a patients body |
| cover | the tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection |
| critical incident stress management (CISM) | a process that confronts the responses to critical incidents and defuses them, directing the emergency services personnel towards physical and emotional equilibrium |
| cumulative stress reactions | prolonged or excessive stress |
| delayed stress reactions | reactions to stress that occurs after a stressful situation |
| designated officer | the indivdual in the department who is charged with the responsibility o managing exposures and infection control issues |
| direct contact | exposure or transmission of a communicable disease from one person to another by physical contact |
| exposure | a situation in which a person has had contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne particles in a manner that suggests disease transmission may occur |
| foodborne tranmission | the contamination of food or water with an organism than can cause disease |
| general adaptation syndrome | the body's response to stress that begins with an alarm response, followed by a stage of reaction and resistance, and then recovery or, if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion |
| hepatitis | inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a virual infection, that causes fever, loss of apptite,jaundice,fatigue, and altered liver function |
| host | the organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent |
| human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) | acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV, which damages the cells in the bodys immune system so that the body is unable to fight infection or certain cancers |
| immune | the body's ability to protect itself from acquiring a disease |
| indirect contact | exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by contact with a contaminated object |
| infection | the abnormal invasion of a host or host tissues by organisms such as bacteria, viruses,or parasites,with or without signs or symptoms of disease |
| infection control | procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients and health care personnel |
| infectious disease | a medical condition caused by the growth and spread of small, harmful organisms within the body |
| occupational safety and Health administration (OSHA) | the federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace |
| pathogen | a microorganism that is capable fo causing disease in a susceptible host |
| personal protective equipment (PPE) | protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogwn or a hazardous material |
| posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | a delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. often the result of one or more unresolved issues concerning the incident, and may relate to an incident that involved physical harm or the threat or physical harm |
| transmission | the way in which an infectious disease is spread contact, airborne, by vehicles, or by vectors |
| standard precautions | protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the CDC for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable disease |
| vector-borne transmission | the use of an aniaml to spread an organism from one person or place to another |
| abandonment | unilateral termination of case by the EMT witout the patient's consent and without making provisions for transferring care to another medical professional with the skills and training necessary to meet the needs of the patient |
| advance directive | written document that specifies medical treatment for a competent patient should the patient become unable to make decisions: also called a living will or health care directive |
| applied ethics | the manner in which principles of ethics are incorporated into professional conduct |
| assault | unlawfully placing a patient in fear of bodily harm |
| battery | unlawfully touching a patient or providing emergency care without consent |
| bioethic | the study of ethics related to issues that arise in health care |
| breach of confidentiality | disclosure of information without proper authorization |
| compensatory damages | damages awarded in a civil lawsuit that are intended to restore the plainriff to the same condition that he or she was in prior to the incident |
| competent | able to make rational decisions about personal well-being |
| conent | permission to render care |
| contributory negligence | a legal defense that may be raised when the defendant feels that the conduct of the plaintiff somehow contributed to any injuries or damages that were sustained by the plaintiff |
| credentialing | an established process to determine the qualifications necessary to be allowed to practice a practicular profession, or a function as an organization |
| decision making capacity | ability to understand and process information and make a choice regarding appropriate medical care |
| defamation | the communication of false information about a person that ios damaging to that perosn's reputation or standing in the community |
| dependent lividity | blood settling to thev lowest point of the body, causing discoloration of the skin, a definitive sign of death |
| depositions | oral questions asked of partiesand witnesses under oath |
| discovery | the phase of a civil lawsuit where the plaintiff and defense obtain information from each other that will enable the attorneys to have a better understanding of the case and which will assist in negotiating a possible settlement or in preparing for trail, discovery includes depositions, interrogatories, and demands for production of record |
| do not resuscitate (DNR) order | written documentation by a physician giving permission to medical personnel not to attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest |
| durable power of attorney for health care | a type of advance directive executed by a competent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treatment decisions on his or her behalf, in the event that the person making the appointment loses decision making capacity |
| duty to act | a medicolegal term relating to certain pesonnel who either by statue or by function have a responsibility to provide care |
| emancipated minors | a person who is under the legal age in a given state but, because of other circumstances, is legally considerd an adult |
| emergency | a serious situation, such as injury or illness that threatens the life or welfare of a person or group of people andrequires immediate intervention |
| emergency doctrine | the principle of law tha tpermits a health care provider to treat a patient in an emergency situation whjen the patient is incapable of granting consent because of an altered level of conssciousness, disability, the effects of drugs or alcohol, or the patient's age |
| emergency medical care | immediate care or treatment |
| ethics | the philosophy of the right and wrong of moral duties and of ideal professional behavior |
| expressed consent | a type of consent in which a patient gives verbal or nonerbal authorization for provision of care or transport |
| false imprisonment | the confinement of a person without legal authority or the person's consent |
| forcible restraint | the act of physically preventing an individual from initiating any physical action |
| good samaritan law | statutory provisions enactedby many states to protect citizens from liability for errors and omissions in giving good faith emergency medical care unless there is wanton,gross or willful negligence |
| governmental immunity | legal doctrine that can protect an EMS provider from being sued or which may limit the amount of the amount of the monetary judgement that the palintiff may recover, generally applies only yo EMS systems that are operated by municipalities or other governmental entities |
| gross negligence | conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty or standard of care |
| health care directive | a written documnt thatspecifies medical trearment for a competent patent should he or she become unable to make decisions. Also known as an advance directive living will |
| health care proxies | a type of advance directive executed by a acompetent adult that appoints another individual to make medical treament decisions on his or her behalf int he event that the person making the appointment loses decision making capacity. also known as a durable power of attorney for health care |
| implied consent | type of consent in which a patient who is unable to give consent is given treatment under the legal assumption that he or she would want treatment |
| informed consent | permission for treatment given by a competent patient after the potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment have been explained |
| in loco parentis | refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent |
| interrogatories | written questions that the defense and plaintiff send to one another |
| kidnapping | the seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away a person by force, including transportinga competenht adult for medical treatment without his or her consent |
| libel | false and damaging information about a person that is communicated in writting |
| licensure | the process wereby a competent authority usually the state alows peopleto perform a regulated act |
| medicolegal | a term relating to medical jurisprudence (law) or forensic medicine |
| morality | a code of conduct that can be defined by society, reigion, or a person, affecting character, conduct,and conscience |
| negligence | failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide |
| negligence per se | a theory that may be used when the conduct of the person being sued is alleged to have occured in clear violation of a statute |
| patient autonomy | the right of a patient to make informed choices regarding his or her health care |
| protected health information (PHI) | any information about health status provision of health care or payment for health care that can be linked to an indivdual. this is interpreted rather broadly and includes any part of a patient's medical record or payment history |
| proximate causation | when a person who has a duty abuses it, and causes harm to another indivdual, the EMT, the agency, and/or the medical director may be sued for negligence |
| punitive damages | damages that are sometimes awarded in a civil lawsuit when the conduct of the defenant was intentional or constituted a reckless disregard for the safety of the public |
| putrefaction | decomposition of the body tissues: a definitive sign of death |
| res ipsa loquitor | when the EMT or an EMS system is held liable even when the palintiff is unable to clearly demonstrate hoe the injury occured |
| rigor mortis | stiffening of the body muscles a definitive sign of death |
| scope of practice | most commomly defined by state law, otlined the care that the EMTis able to provide for the patient |
| slander | false and damaging information about a pefrson that is communicated by the spoken word |
| stanard of care | written accepted levels of emergency care expected by reason of training and profession., written by legal or professional organizations so that patients are not exposed to unreasonable risk or harm |
| statute of limitaions | the time within which a cse must be commenced |
| tort | a wrongful act that gives rise to a civil lawsuit |
| base station | any radio hardware containing a transmitter and reciever that is located in a fixed place |
| cellular telephone | a low power portable radio that communicates throgh an interconnected series of repeater stations called "cells" |
| channel | an assigned freguency or frequecies that are used to carry voice and / or dat communications |
| closed-ended questions | questions that can be answered in short or single word responses |
| communication | the transmission of information to another person- verbally or through body language |
| cultural imposition | when one person imposes his or her beliefs, values,and practices on another because he or she believes his or her ideals are superior |
| dedicated lines | a special telephone line tha tis used for specific point to point communications, also known as a hotline |
| documentation | the recorder portion of the EMT's patient interaction, either written or elecronic. This becomes part of the patients permanent medical record |
| duplex | the ability to transmit and reciev simultaneously |
| ethnocentrism | when a persn considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture |
| federal communications commission (FCC) | the federal agengy has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satelite communications, al of which may involve EMS activity |
| interoperable communications system | a communication system that uses voice-over-internet-protocol (voip) technology to allow mulyiple agencies to communicate and transmit data |
| med channels | VHF and UHF channels that federal communications commision has designated exculusively for EMS use |
| mobile data terminal (MDT) | a small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly recieves data from the dispatch center |
| multiplex | the ability to transmit audio and data signals through theuse of more than one communications channel |
| noise | anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message |
| open-ended question | question for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer |
| paging | the use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers (beepers) or desktop monitor radios |
| patient care report (PCR) | the legal document used to record all patient care activities. this report has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. PCRs are also known as prehosiptal care reports |
| rapport | a trusting relationship that you build with your patient |
| repeater | a special base station radio that recieves messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency |
| scanner | a radio reciever that searches or scans across several frequencies until the message is complete the process is then repeated |
| simplex | single frequency radio transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously in both. when one partyu transmits the other can only recieve and the party that is transmitting is uable to recieve |
| standing orders | writtwen documents signed by the EMS systems medical director that outline specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care, also called protocols |
| telemetry | a process in which electronic signals are converted into coded audiblesignals, these signakls xan then be transmitted by radio or telephone to a reciever with a decoder at the hospital |
| therapeutic communication | verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a posititve relationship |
| trunking | telecommunication systems that allow a comuter to maximize utilization of a groupof frequencies |
| uhf (ultra high frequency) | radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 mhz |
| vhf (very high frequency) | radio frequencies between 30 and 300 mhz the VHF spectrum is further diivided into high and low bands |
| cardi | heart |
| tachycardia | fast heart rate |
| hepat | liver |
| hepatomegaly | enlargement of the liver |
| nephr | kidney |
| nephropathy | disease of the kidney |
| neur | nerves |
| neurologist | physician who specializes in disease of the nervous system |
| psych | mind |
| psychology | study of the mind |
| thorac | chest |
| thoracic | pertaining to the chest or thorax |
| hyper | over, excessive,high |
| hyperventilation | fast ventilations |
| hypo | under, below normal |
| hypoperfusion | below normal blood flow to vital organs |
| tachy | rapid,fast |
| tachycardia | fast heart rate |
| brady | slow |
| bradypnea | slow breathing |
| pre | before |
| prenatal | occurring before birth |
| post | after, behind |
| postsurgical | occuring after surgery |
| al | pertaining to |
| syncopal | pertaining to syncope |
| algia | pertaining to pain |
| arthralgia | joint pain |
| ectomy | surgical removal of |
| appendectomy | surgical removal of the appendix |
| ic | pertaining to |
| diaphoretic | pertaining to diaphoresis |
| itis | inflammation |
| epigipttitis | inflammation of the epiglottis |
| logy | study of |
| cardiology | the study of the heart |
| logist | specialist |
| pulmonologist | specialist in disease of the lung |
| megaly | enlargement |
| cardiomegaly | enlargement of the heart |
| meter | measuring instrument |
| sphygmomanometer | instrument to measure blood pressure |
| oma | tumor (usually referring to cancel) |
| lymphoma | cancer of the lymphstic system |
| pathy | disease |
| nephropathy | disease of the kidneys |
| cardio | heart |
| gastro | stomach |
| hepato | liver |
| arthro | joint |
| ostro | bone |
| pulmono | lungs |
| unilateral | one, one side |
| diplopia | dipl, two, double vision |
| nullipara | null, none , never given birth |
| primigravida | first, pregnant for the first time |
| multiparous | many, giving birth to more than one offspring at a time |
| bilateral | two, bi, pertaining to both sides |
| trigeminy | three, tri, irregular of two normal beats followed by one premature beat |
| quadriplegic | quad, four, paralysis of all four extremities |
| tetralogy of fallot | a congenital defect involving four anatomic adnornalities of the heart, tetra,four |
| quintipara | five, quint, five pregnancies resulting in five live births |
| sextuplets | six offspring of the same pregnancy, six, sexti |
| septuplets | septi, seven, seven offspring of the same pregnancy |
| octigravida | oct, eight, pregnant for the eighth time |
| nonan | nona, nine, occuring on the ninth-day |
| decagram | deca, ten, measurement of ten grams |
| semiconscious | semi, half; partial, partially conscious |
| hemiplegia | hemi, half,one sided, paralysis on one side of the body |
| ambidextrous | ambi,both, able to use either hand equally well |
| pandemic | pan,all, entire, an epidemic over a wide area |