The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system is part of the healthcare system. It consists of a coordinated network of resources that provides emergency care and transportation to victims of sudden illness and injury.
An Emergency Medical Responder is the first person with medical training who arrives at the scene of an emergency. An Emergency Medical Responder uses a minimal amount of equipment to assess the patient and provide initial emergency care. An Emergency Medical Responder is also trained to assist other EMS professionals.
There are four levels of nationally recognized prehospital professionals: Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), and Paramedic. EMRs and EMTs provide Basic Life Support. AEMTs and Paramedics provide Advanced Life Support.
Every EMS system must have a medical director. A medical director is a physician who provides medical oversight. He or she is responsible for making sure that the emergency care provided to ill or injured patients is medically appropriate.
The phases of a typical EMS response include the following:
When an emergency occurs, a call is made for emergency assistance (9-1-1).
The EMS dispatcher gathers information and activates the appropriate EMS response. The dispatcher provides instructions to the caller, if needed, before the EMS providers arrive.
On the way to the scene, Emergency Medical Responders prepare for the patient and the situation.
On arriving at the scene, Emergency Medical Responders make sure the scene is safe. The Emergency Medical Responders then begin to assess the patient, providing initial emergency care.
When additional EMS resources arrive, additional emergency care is provided at the scene. If transport is required, the patient is moved to an appropriate receiving facility. Continued emergency care is provided en route.
On arriving at the hospital, patient care is transferred to the receiving facility's personnel.
Quality management is a system of internal and external reviews. This system reviews all aspects of an EMS system. Quality management is used to identify areas of the EMS system that need improvement. This system helps ensure that the patient receives the highest-quality medical care.
The roles of an Emergency Medical Responder include ensuring personal, crew, patient, and bystander safety; gaining access to the patient; performing a patient assessment to identify life-threatening conditions; continuing care through additional EMS resources; providing initial patient care based on the assessment findings; assisting with additional emergency care; documenting the emergency per local and state requirements; and acting as a public safety liaison.
The responsibilities of an Emergency Medical Responder include maintaining personal health and safety; a caring attitude and composure; a neat, clean, and professional appearance; up-to-date knowledge and skills; and current knowledge of local, state, and national issues affecting EMS.
