A&OX4 - Alert & oriented to person, place, time, and event.
BGL - Blood glucose (sugar) level, checked with a glucometer.
Bag - Device with a bag and a mask used to provide breaths. Also called a BVM.
Box - Ambulance. Also referred to as unit, medic, M.I.C.U., bus, my office.
BP - Blood pressure. Systolic, top number. Diastolic, bottom number.
Cardiac Arrest - Death resulting from the heart stopping beating. Not the same as a heart attack. (see definition)
CO2 - Exhaled gas, measuring this helps us diagnose certain issues.
ECG - Electrocardiogram, a tracing provided by our monitor, shows your heart’s electrical activity.
Electrodes - Used to attach ECG wires or leads to your body. Also called stickers, stickies, buttons, etc.
EMT - Emergency Medical Technician. Usually used to refer to a Basic level provider. Paramedics are also EMT’s but not all EMT’s are Paramedics.
First Responder - Refers to firefighters that provide initial medical care. Most are EMT Basics.
G.C.S. - A score for your level of alertness and ability to move.
Glucometer - used to check blood sugar.
Heart Attack - A heart problem, usually resulting from a clot in a coronary blood vessel. Can result in cardiac arrest.
Intubation - The placement of a breathing tube.
Lucas - A machine that does chest compressions during CPR.
Medical Director - Oversees care, trains, and is responsible for all level of EMT’s in the WCEMS System. EMT’s provide care by law, as the medical director’s proxy.
M.I.C.U. - Mobile Intensive Care Unit.
Monitor - Machine used to view an ECG, PulseOx, and CO2.
Ohs - Oxygen
Paramedic - The highest level of EMT provider. Can administer complex treatments including cardiac medications and breathing tubes. Trained to make important decisions with the consent of their medical director.
Pads - Large stickers placed on the body as part of an emergency pacemaker for the heart. During CPR to shock the heart.
POV - Your vehicle
PulseOx - Measures the percentage of oxygen in your blood. Also called SPO2.
STEMI - An acronym for a heart attack with definitive proof on an ECG, seen on the monitor.
Toughbook - Computer used to document an EMS call.
Ventilator - Machine used to provide breaths for patients that cannot do so for themselves.