Emergency medical technicians
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are health care professionals who provide emergency medical services. They are often the first responders to medical emergencies and are trained to assess a patient's condition and perform basic life support procedures.
Pronunciation
Emergency Medical Technicians: /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi mɛdɪkəl tɛkˈniʃənz/
Etymology
The term "Emergency Medical Technician" comes from the combination of the words "emergency", "medical", and "technician". "Emergency" is derived from the Latin word "emergere" which means "to bring to light", "medical" comes from the Latin "medicus" meaning "physician", and "technician" is derived from the Greek "technikos" meaning "of art".
Roles and Responsibilities
EMTs are responsible for responding to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. They are trained to handle a variety of medical emergencies including cardiac arrest, trauma, respiratory failure, and obstetric emergencies.
Training and Certification
Training for EMTs varies by location but typically includes a comprehensive course that covers emergency skills, such as managing respiratory, trauma, and cardiac emergencies, and patient assessment. Certification is often required and involves passing both a written and practical examination.
Related Terms
- Paramedic: A healthcare professional who provides emergency medical services, often at a more advanced level than an EMT.
- First Responder: A person who is likely to be among the first people to arrive at and assist at the scene of an emergency.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS): A system that provides emergency medical care to those who need it.
- Basic Life Support (BLS): The level of medical care which is used for victims of life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care at a hospital.
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