Emergency medical technician

An emergency medical technician ('EMT') is an emergency responder trained to provide emergency medical services (EMS) to the critically ill and injured.

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Once thought of as an "ambulance driver or attendant," the modern EMT performs many more duties than in the past, and responds to many types of emergency calls, including medical emergencies, hazardous materials exposure, childbirth, child abuse, fires, injuries, trauma and psychiatric crises.

Related Topics:
Ambulance - Medical emergencies - Childbirth - Child abuse - Trauma - Psychiatric

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EMTs are trained in basic medical knowledge and skills. Patient treatment guidelines are described in protocols following both national guidelines and local medical policies. The goal of EMT intervention is to rapidly evaluate a patient's condition and to maintain a patient's airway, breathing and circulation by CPR and defibrillation. In addition, EMT intervention aims to control external bleeding, prevent shock, and prevent further injury or disability by immobilizing potential spinal or other bone fractures, while expediting the safe and timely transport of the patient to an hospital emergency department for definitive medical care.

Related Topics:
Airway - Breathing - Circulation - CPR - Defibrillation - Bleeding - Shock

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