6.1 Introduction to the Prehospital Medical System
Karen Piette, MHS, CMA
The emergency medical system (EMS) is a is a coordinated system for responding to and providing emergency medical care. It involves multiple people and agencies working together to handle various types of emergencies.
A career in prehospital emergency medicine requires extensive knowledge of injuries, illnesses, and the ability to deliver complex medical care in diverse emergency environments. Specialized interventions typically performed in the hospital are delivered earlier in prehospital care, either before or during the transfer of the patient to the hospital. Individuals providing this type of care are known as medical first responders.
Prehospital medicine is a key part of a trauma system, which includes several components that will be discussed in this chapter.
Like most states, Washington has laws that direct the delivery of prehospital care. In Washington, the office of EMS is part of the Department of Health. State regulations mandate the creation and biennial review of a plan that outlines the framework for delivering prehospital care across the state. This framework is supported by the establishment of regional councils. The state office provides guidance to these councils and certification and licensing to EMS providers and individual agencies.
Attributions
- Figure 6.1: image released under the Pexels License
Abbreviated as EMS. A system that provides emergency medical care.
Provides prehospital care to patients in emergency settings.
An organized, coordinated effort in a defined geographic area that delivers the full range of care to all injured patients and is integrated with the local public health system.
