| Question |
Answer |
| designated agent |
an EMT or other person authorized by a Medical Director to give medications and provide emergency care. The transfer of such authorization to a designated agent is an extension of the Medical Director's license to practice medicine. |
| medical direction |
oversight of the patient-care aspects of an EMS system by the Medical Director |
| off-line medical direction |
consists of standing orders issued by the Medical Director that allow EMTs to give certain medications or perform certain procedures without speaking to the Medical Director or another physician. |
| on-line medical direction |
consists of orders from the on-duty physician given directly to an EMT in the field by radio or telephone |
| Medical Director |
a physician who assumes ultimate responsibility for the patient care aspects of the EMS system |
| 911 system |
a system for telephone access to report emergencies. A dispatcher takes the information and alerts EMS or the fire or police departments as needed. |
| enhanced 911 |
same as the 911 system except it has the additional capability of automatically identifying the caller's phone number and location. |
| protocols |
lists of steps, such as assessments and interventions, to be taken in different situations. Protocols are developed by the Medical Director of an EMS system. |
| quality improvement |
a process of continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement. |
| standing orders |
a policy or protocol issued by a Medical Director that authorizes EMTs and others to perform particular skills in certain situations. |
Science Vocab 147928
