Chapter 6: Pre-Hospital Care
Overview
John just graduated high school and is deep into career exploration. He has always been drawn to medical trauma television series and thought being a paramedic would be an interesting career. As you read through this chapter, think about if you would like to assist people during moments of trauma: car accidents, medical emergencies, etc. If medical trauma could be a passion of yours, this career could be the one for you.
Prehospital emergency medicine encompasses care rendered prior to arrival at the hospital or clinic setting. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s), advanced emergency medical technicians (AEMT’s) and paramedics are three careers within prehospital medicine. These three careers are interrelated and they often work together delivering prehospital care. However, the training, qualifications and responsibilities vary slightly. These professionals may work in various settings which are discussed in this chapter. Students may earn a certificate, associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree in emergency medicine as a paramedic.
Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, the learner will be able to:
- Identify the components of prehospital medical system
- Be able to explain the training required across the different levels of prehospital care.
- Identify the scope of practice of the different pre-hospital care providers.
- Recognize the legal and legislative foundations for prehospital care.
- Identify different modes of transportation of the sick or injured – ambulance, helicopter, fixed wing, boat.
- Describe medical direction used in prehospital EMS systems
Key Terms
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)
- Air medical service
- Ambulance
- Automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Emergency medical dispatcher (EMD)
- Emergency medical system (EMS)
- Emergency medical technician (EMT)
- EMS medical director
- Medical first responder
- Mobile integrated healthcare network
- Narcan (Naloxone)
- Paramedic
- Public service access point
- Trauma center
- Trauma system
Attributions
- Chapter opening image: Alaska Coast Guard Medical Evacuation by US Coast Guard in the Public Domain
Abbreviated as AEMT. A healthcare professional who provides basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients.
