Principles of EMS Systems

Principles of EMS Systems, Third Edition provides EMS personnel with an overview of the organization and operation of an EMS system, both on a daily basis and in response to large-scale events, including terrorist and weapons of mass destruction incidents. This book explores the role the medical director plays in EMS and discusses the importance of medical oversight and accountability. By focusing on the collaborative interaction of EMS, police, and fire professionals, along with emergency physicians, emergency departments, and hospitals, this resource provides a framework for how these different groups must work together to ensure the emergency medicine/health care safety net does not fail when it is needed the most.
The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) exists to support quality emergency medical care and to promote the interests of emergency physicians. The Board of Directors has identified values that serve as the guiding principles for the specialty of emergency medicine. These values, and the objectives that follow, are the foundation of ACEP's planning processes and Council and Board actions. The values of the American College of Emergency Physicians are: Quality emergency care is a fundamental right and unobstructed access to emergency services should be available to all patients who perceive the need for emergency services. There is a body of knowledge unique to emergency medicine that requires continuing refinement and development. Physicians entering the practice of emergency medicine should be residency trained in emergency medicine. Quality emergency medicine is best practiced by qualified, credentialed emergency physicians. The best interests of patients are served when emergency physicians practice in a fair, equitable, and supportive environment. Emergency physicians have the responsibility to play the lead roles in the definition, management, evaluation, and improvement of quality emergency care. The ACEP was founded in 1968 and is the world's oldest and largest and largest emergency medicine specialty organization. Today it represents more than 28,000 members and is the emergency medicine specialty society recognized as the acknowledged leader in emergency medicine.
Senior Vice President, Clinical and Emergency Services, Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Chair, Patient Safety and Quality Committee, Saint Barnabas Health Care System. Attending and Director, Pediatric Care Center, Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Faculty, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey. EMS/EMSC Medical Consultant, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services. Member, Board of Directors, American College of Emergency Physicians. John A. Brennan, MD, FAAP, FACEP Dr. Brennan is Senior Vice President for Clinical and Emergency Services for Saint Barnabas Health Care System, Livingston, New Jersey, where he is also Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Chair of the Patient Safety and Quality Committee. He is core faculty for the emergency medicine residency program at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, and the EMS/EMSC medical consultant for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Dr. Brennan is a member of the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a member of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Subboard for the American Board of Emergency Medicine/American Academy of Pediatrics, and a national oral board examiner for the American Board of Emergency Medicine. He is a course director for both Advanced Pediatric Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and a former liaison to the American Heart Association's Emergency Cardiac Care Committee. In 1999, Dr. Brennan was named Outstanding Speaker of the Year by the American College of Emergency Physicians, and received its "Over the Top" speaker award in 2001. He has presented more than 150 state and national lectures on topics in emergency medicine, pediatrics, and EMS, and is the author of numerous journal articles and textbook chapters in these areas of expertise. Dr. Brennan served in the US Air Force from 1989 to 1992 and was the recipient of the US Air Force Professional Scholarship, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal, and was named Honorary Chief Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1992 at the rank of Major. Dr. Brennan completed his undergraduate education at LeMoyne College, Syracuse, New York, and received his MD degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed residency training in emergency medicine at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California Medical Center, and is board certified in emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine.