Download EMS Terminology: A Comprehensive Glossary for Emergency Medical Services and more Quizzes Geriatrics in PDF only on Docsity!
backboard
a device that is used to provide support to a patient who is suspected of having a hip, pelvic, spinal, or lower extremity injury. Also called a spine board, trauma board or longboard TERM 2
bariatrics
DEFINITION 2 A branch of medicine concerned with the management (prevention or control) of obesity and allied diseases TERM 3
basket stretcher
DEFINITION 3 A rigid stretcher commonly used in technical and water rescues that surrounds and supports the patient yet allows water to drain through holes in the bottom. Also called a Stokes litter TERM 4
diamond carry
DEFINITION 4 A carrying technique in which one EMT is located at the head end of the stretcher or backboard, one at the foot end, and one at each side of the patient; each of the two EMTs at the sides uses one hand to support the stretcher/backboard so that all are able to face forward as they walk TERM 5
direct ground lift
DEFINITION 5 A lifting technique that is used for patients who are found lying supine on the ground with no suspected spinal injury
emergency move
A move in which the patient is dragged or pulled from a dangerous scene before assessment and care are provided TERM 7
extremity lift
DEFINITION 7 A lifting technique that is used for patients who are supine or in a sitting position with no suspected extremity or spinal injuries TERM 8
flexible stretcher
DEFINITION 8 A stretcher that is a rigid carrying device when secured around a patient but can be folded or rolled when not in use TERM 9
portable stretcher
DEFINITION 9 A stretcher with a strong rectangular tubular metal frame and rigid fabric stretched across it TERM 10
power grip
DEFINITION 10 A technique in which the litter or backboard is gripped by inserting each hand under the handle with the palm facing up and the thumb extended, fully supporting the underside of the handle on the curved palm with the fingers and thumb
air ambulance
fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters that have been modified for medical care; used to evacuate and transport patients with life-threatening injuries to treatment facilities TERM 17
ambulance
DEFINITION 17 A specialized vehicle for treating and transporting sick and injured patients TERM 18
blind spots
DEFINITION 18 areas of the road that are blocked from your sight by your own vehicle or mirrors TERM 19
cleaning
DEFINITION 19 The process of removing dirt, dust, blood, or other visible contaminants from a surface TERM 20
CPR
board
DEFINITION 20 a device that provides a firm surface under the patient's torso
cushion of safety
Keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles on any side of you TERM 22
decontaminate
DEFINITION 22 to remove or neutralize radiation, chemical, or other hazardous material from clothing, equipment, vehicles, and personnel TERM 23
disinfection
DEFINITION 23 The killing of pathogenic agents by direct application of chemicals TERM 24
first-responder vehicles
DEFINITION 24 specialized vehicles used to transport EMS equipment/ personnel to the scenes of medical emergencies TERM 25
high-level disinfection
DEFINITION 25 The killing of pathogenic agents by using potent means of disinfection
sterilization
A process, such as heating, that removes microbial contamination TERM 32
access
DEFINITION 32 Gaining entry to an enclosed area and reaching a patient. TERM 33
command post
DEFINITION 33 The location of the incident commander at the scene of an emergency and where command, coordination, control, and communication are centralized. TERM 34
complex access
DEFINITION 34 Complicated entry that requires special tools and training and includes breaking windows or using other force. TERM 35
danger zone (hot
zone)
DEFINITION 35 An area where individuals can be exposed to electrical hazards such as sharp metal edges, broken glass, toxic substances, lethal rays, or ignition or explosion of hazardous materials.
entrapment
To be caught (trapped) within a vehicle, room, or container with no way out or to have a limb or other body part trapped. TERM 37
extrication
DEFINITION 37 Removal of a patient from entrapment or a dangerous situation or position, such as removal from a wrecked vehicle, industrial accident, or building collapse. TERM 38
hazardous materials
DEFINITION 38 Any substance that is toxic, poisonous, radioactive, flammable, or explosive and causes injury or death with exposure. TERM 39
incident commander (IC)
DEFINITION 39 The overall leader of the incident command system to whom commanders or leaders of incident command system divisions report. TERM 40
safe zone
DEFINITION 40 An area of protection providing safety from the danger zone (hot zone).
tactical situation
A hostage, robbery, or other situation in which armed conflict is threatened or shots have been fired and the threat of violence remains. TERM 47
technical rescue group
DEFINITION 47 A team of individuals from one or more departments in a region who are trained and on call for certain types of technical rescue. TERM 48
technical rescue situation
DEFINITION 48 A rescue that requires special technical skills and equipment in one of many specialized rescue areas, such as technical rope rescue, cave rescue, and dive rescue. TERM 49
bills of lading
DEFINITION 49 The shipping papers used for transport of chemicals over roads and highways. Also referred to as freight bills. TERM 50
carboys
DEFINITION 50 Glass, plastic, or steel containers, ranging in volume from 5 to 15 gallons.
casualty collection areas
An area set up by physicians, nurses, and other hospital staff near a major disaster scene where patients can receive further triage and medical care. TERM 52
Chemical Transportation Emergency Center
(CHEMTREC)
DEFINITION 52 An agency that assists emergency personnel in identifying and handling hazardous materials transport incidents. TERM 53
cold zone
DEFINITION 53 A safe area at a hazardous materials incident for the agencies involved in the operations. The incident commander, the command post, EMS providers, and other support functions necessary to control the incident should be located in the cold zone. Also referred to as the clean zone or the support zone. TERM 54
command
DEFINITION 54 In incident command, the position that oversees the incident, establishes the objectives and priorities, and from there develops a response plan. TERM 55
control
zones
DEFINITION 55 Areas at a hazardous materials incident that are designated as hot, warm, or cold, based on safety issues and the degree of hazard found there.
extrication supervisor
In incident command, the person appointed to determine the type of equipment and resources needed for a situation involving extrication or special rescue; also called the rescue officer. TERM 62
freelancing
DEFINITION 62 When individual units or different organizations make independent and often inefficient decisions about the next appropriate action. TERM 63
freight bills
DEFINITION 63 The shipping papers used for transport of chemicals along roads and highways. Also referred to as bills of lading. TERM 64
hazardous materials (HazMat) incident
DEFINITION 64 An incident in which a hazardous material is no longer properly contained and isolated. TERM 65
hot zone
DEFINITION 65 The area immediately surrounding a hazardous materials spill/incident site that is directly dangerous to life and health. All personnel working in the hot zone must wear complete, appropriate protective clothing and equipment. Entry requires approval by the incident commander or other designated officer.
incident action plan
An oral or written plan stating general objectives reflecting the overall strategy for managing an incident. TERM 67
incident command system (ICS)
DEFINITION 67 A system implemented to manage disasters and mass- casualty incidents in which section chiefs, including finance, logistics, operations, and planning, report to the incident commander. TERM 68
intermodal tanks
DEFINITION 68 Shipping and storage vessels that can be either pressurized or nonpressurized. TERM 69
joint information
center
DEFINITION 69 An area designated by theincident commander, or a designee, in which public information officers from multiple agencies disseminate information about the incident. TERM 70
JumpSTART triage
DEFINITION 70 A sorting system for pediatric patients younger than 8 years or weighing less than 100 lb. There is a minor adaptation for infants since they cannot ambulate on their own
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
A Department of Homeland Security system designed to enable federal, state, and local governments and private- sector and nongovernmental organizations to effectively and efficiently prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size, or complexity, including acts of catastrophic terrorism. TERM 77
nonbulk storage vessels
DEFINITION 77 Any container other than bulk storage containers such as drums, bags, compressed gas cylinders, and cryogenic containers. Nonbulk storage vessels hold commonly used commercial and industrial chemicals such as solvents, industrial cleaners, and compounds. TERM 78
operations
DEFINITION 78 In incident command, the position that carries out the orders of the commander to help resolve the incident. TERM 79
placards
DEFINITION 79 Signage required to be placed on all four sides of highway transport vehicles, railroad tank cars, and other forms of hazardous materials transportation; the sign identifies the hazardous contents of the vehicle, using a standardization system with 10-inch diamond-shaped indicators. TERM 80
primary triage
DEFINITION 80 A type of patient sorting used to rapidly categorize patients; the focus is on speed in locating all patients and determining an initial priority as their conditions warrant.
public information officer
(PIO)
In incident command, the person who keeps the public informed and relates any information to the press. TERM 82
rehabilitation area
DEFINITION 82 The area that provides protection and treatment to fire fighters and other personnel working at an emergency. Here, workers are medically monitored and receive any needed care as they enter and leave the scene TERM 83
rescue supervisior
DEFINITION 83 In incident command, the person appointed to determine the type of equipment and resources needed for a situation involving extrication or special rescue; also called the extrication officer. TERM 84
secondary containment
DEFINITION 84 An engineered method to control spilled or released product if the main containment vessel fails. TERM 85
secondary triage
DEFINITION 85 A type of patient sorting used in the treatment sector that involves retriage of patients.
toxicity levels
Measures of the risk that a hazardous material poses to the health of an individual who comes into contact with it. TERM 92
triage
DEFINITION 92 The process of sorting patients based on the severity of injury and medical need to establish treatment and transportation priorities. TERM 93
unified command system
DEFINITION 93 A command system used in larger incidents in which there is a multiagency response or multiple jurisdictions are involved. TERM 94
warm zone
DEFINITION 94 The area located between the hot zone and the cold zone at a hazardous materials incident. The decontamination corridor is located in the warm zone. TERM 95
alpha
DEFINITION 95 A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; it is the least harmful penetrating type of radiation and cannot travel fast or through most objects.
anthrax
A disease caused by deadly bacteria (Bacillus anthracis) that lay dormant in a spore (protective shell); the germ is released from the spore when exposed to the optimal temperature and moisture. The routes of entry are inhalation, cutaneous, and gastrointestinal (from consuming food that contains spores). TERM 97
aging
DEFINITION 97 The process by which the temporary bond between the organophosphate and acetylcholinesterase undergoes hydrolysis, resulting in a permanent covalentbond. TERM 98
bacteria
DEFINITION 98 Microorganisms that reproduce by binary fission. These single-cell creatures reproduce rapidly. Some can form spores (encysted variants) when environmental conditions are harsh. TERM 99
beta
DEFINITION 99 A type of energy that is emitted from a strong radiologic source; is slightly more penetrating than alpha and requires a layer of clothing to stop it. TERM 100
B-NICE
DEFINITION 100 A memory device to recall the types of weapons of mass destruction: biologic, nuclear, incendiary, chemical, and explosive.
