Emergency Medical Dispatch - Glossary Terms

Emergency Medical Dispatch - Glossary Terms Abandonment Unilateral termination of a patient-caretaker relationship by the caretaker where an adequate replacement for that caretaker has not been provided when this action results in some preventable harm. Abrasion Scraping or rubbing away of a surface. It is usually the result of traumatic injury. ACE (Accredited Center of Excellence) Centers that have achieved compliance to the highest level of standards as set forth by the Academy's Twenty Points of Accreditation. ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) Unified standard of care for cardiac emergencies including drugs, intubation, and other invasive procedures. Acute Sharp, severe, or having rapid onset and short course; not chronic. ALS (Advanced Life Support) Intervention that utilizes cardiac monitoring, advanced airways, and pharmacology for the treatment of life-threatening emergencies. This term refers to care given prehospital or inhospital. AED (Automated External Defibrillator) A portable, computerized device that interprets cardiac rhythms, verbally coaches the user, and the advises shock (or no shock) for electrically correctable rhythms. AI (Additional Information) An MPDS protocol component that contains information necessary to process calls as well as general information pertaining to specific chief complaints. ALI (Automatic Location Identification) The database technology that allows communication centers to identify the location of a caller based on the caller's phone number. The effectiveness of this technology is limited to the accuracy of the database. ANI (Automatic Number Identification) The database technology that displays the phone number used by the caller to access the communication center. The effectiveness of this technology is limited to the accuracy of the database. Axioms Important statements that serve as the basis of many decision-making processes when using the MPDS. They differ from Rules in that they explain "why", rather than "how" to do things. BLS (Basic Life Support) EMS procedures (airway positioning, external cardiac compression, and ventilation) to sustain viability of the brain and heart in the absence of pulse or breathing. The splinting, dressing, and other initial care covered in basic first-aid training. CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) dispatch operations. Cardiac Arrest Technology that uses computers to facilitate calltaking and Sudden cessation of heart functions or blood-pumping ability universally resulting in death unless reversed by resuscitation. CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) A procedure designed to help maintain the flow of oxygenated blood in a cardiac arrest patient. Case Entry Protocol An MPDS protocol that functions as a primary caller interrogation. It directs EMDs to collect the essential information for initial processing and classifying of the incident. Case Exit Protocol An MPDS protocol that standardizes call termination and provides important instructions for the callers. CC (Chief Complaint) The primary reason the patient is seeking medical care (in some cases only the mechanism of injury). CDE (Continuing Dispatch Education) Training designed to keep EMDs up-to-date with current standards of Emergency Medical Dispatching practice. CEI (Critical EMD Information) the caller. Certification Important information for EMDs that is not designed to be read to The granting of official approval to an individual by a standard-setting organization following a formal process. Chain of Survival A universal response for action in sudden cardiac arrest situations having five links: immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system, early CPR, rapid defibrillation, effective ACLS, and integrated post-cardiac arrest care. Chief Complaint Protocols Problem-specific MPDS protocols. Chief complaint protocols function as a secondary interrogation and contain Key Questions, Determinant Descriptors, Post-Dispatch Instructions, Critical EMD Information, Dispatch Life Support Links, and Additional Information. Chronic Clarifier Disease or disorder that persists for long periods of time. Words in the protocol contained within parenthesis or brackets that are designed to be used only when the caller does not understand the original wording of a question or instruction. Classifications Similar to dispatch definitions, classifications list items that should be classified in a specific way when using the MPDS. COLD Routine EMS unit driving response mode not using lights-and-siren. Compliance Connectors De Luca's Law Adherence to protocol directives and standards. Colored protocol tabs that aid in MPDS cardset navigation. "Emergency dispatchers will follow all protocols per se, avoiding freelance questioning or information unless it enhances, not replaces, the written protocol questions and scripts." Defibrillation The application of an electric shock to restore normal rhythm in a fibrillating heart. Determinant Codes Alphanumeric response codes assigned by combining the Chief C