Global InformationEmergency medical services information
Emergency medical services (EMS), also known as ambulance services or paramedic services, are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilisation for serious illness and injuries and transport to definitive care.[1] They may also be known as a first aid squad,[2] FAST squad,[3] emergency squad,[4] ambulance squad,[5] ambulance corps,[6] life squad[7] or by other initialisms such as EMAS or EMARS.
In most places, EMS can be summoned by members of the public (as well as medical facilities, other emergency services, businesses and authorities) via an emergency telephone number (such as 911 in the United States) which puts them in contact with a dispatching centre, which will then dispatch suitable resources for the call.[8] Ambulances are the primary vehicles for delivering EMS, though squad cars, motorcycles, aircraft, boats, fire apparatus, and others may be used. EMS agencies may also operate a non-emergency patient transport service, and some have rescue squads to provide technical rescue or search and rescue services.[9]
When EMS is dispatched, they will initiate medical care upon arrival on scene. If it is deemed necessary or a patient requests transport, the unit is then tasked with transferring the patient to the next point of care, typically an emergency department of a hospital. Historically, ambulances only transported patients to care, and this remains the case in parts of the developing world.[10] The term "emergency medical service" was popularised when these services began to emphasise emergency treatment at the scene. In some countries, a substantial portion of EMS calls do not result in a patient being taken to hospital.[11]
Training and qualification levels for members and employees of emergency medical services vary widely throughout the world. In some systems, members may be present who are qualified only to drive ambulances, with no medical training.[10] In contrast, most systems have personnel who retain at least basic first aid certifications, such as basic life support (BLS). In English-speaking countries, they are known as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, with the latter having additional training such as advanced life support (ALS) skills. Physicians and nurses may also provide pre-hospital care to varying degrees in certain countries, a model which is popular in Europe.
- ^ "What is EMS?". NHTSA.
- ^ "Long Hill Township First Aid Squad". Archived from the original on 22 December 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "FAST Squad | Town of Lyme NH". www.lymenh.gov. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "Hennepin County Emergency Squad". Archived from the original on 15 June 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "Nottingham Ambulance Squad". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "Valhalla Volunteer Ambulance Corps". Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "Sardinia Life Squad". Archived from the original on 22 June 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "EU document on European adoption of 112 emergency number" (PDF). Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2007.
- ^ "EMS Special Operations". Town of Colonie EMS. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2007.
- ^ a b "Motorcycle Ambulance Trailer Project Gets Off The Ground With MAN ERF UK". Transport News Network. 4 July 2006. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
- ^ Donnelly, Laura (10 November 2013). "Do not take all your patients to hospital, paramedics told". Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2018.