Emergency medical services

Emergency medical services (often abbreviated to the initialism EMS, EMAS, EMARS or SAMU in some countries) are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care, transport to definitive care, and other medical transport to patients with illnesses and injuries which prevent the patient from transporting themselves. Emergency medical services may also be locally known as a paramedic service, a first aid squad, emergency squad, rescue squad, ambulance squad, ambulance service, ambulance corps, or life squad.

History

The development of emergency medical services has been driven by a number of trends. First, the evolution of the healthcare system, with a focus on cost efficiency, has led to a reduction in hospital-based treatment and an expansion of outpatient care, which includes emergency care. Second, there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of early intervention in acute care. Third, there has been a shift in the population towards older age groups, which are more prone to acute illness.

Services and roles

Emergency medical services are provided by a variety of individuals, using a variety of methods. These include the following:

• Emergency medical technician (EMT): These individuals are trained to provide basic emergency medical care. This can include CPR, wound care, patient assessment, and emergency childbirth.

• Paramedic: Paramedics are healthcare professionals who provide emergency care, including advanced life support, which can include administering medications, interpreting EKGs, performing endotracheal intubation, and using other complex equipment.

• Emergency physician: These doctors specialize in emergency medicine and are usually based in a hospital emergency department.

• Emergency nurse: These nurses are trained to provide emergency care, including trauma care and pediatric emergency care.

• First responder: These individuals are often the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency. They can provide immediate care for life-threatening conditions and help to stabilize the patient until more advanced care arrives.

Training and qualifications

The training and qualifications for emergency medical services personnel vary widely by country and jurisdiction. In some places, it may be a specialty of medicine or nursing, while in others it may be a profession in its own right.

See also

• Emergency medicine
• Emergency department
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Paramedic
• First responder

References

Emergency medical services Resources
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