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EMS AND DISASTER MEDICINE^898

Facilities

There are three categories of hospital facilities:

■ Vertical

■ Describes a level of care provided at the hospital

■ Is not standardized

■ Level 1 trauma center: Most sophisticated, with all specialty services

immediately available 24 hours a day

■ Level 3 nursery: Most sophisticated NICU services

■ Horizontal

■ Describes the specialty care provided at the hospital (eg, neurosurgery,

burn, cardiac care, trauma)

■ Circular

■ Transfer agreements among hospitals of different vertical and horizon-

tal levels so they can get to most appropriate care (eg, regionalization

of trauma centers)

TABLE 20.2. Fifteen Essential Components of an EMS System

ACRONYM COMPONENT

The Training

M Manpower

D Disaster plan

Calls Communication

For Facilities

A Access to care

Medical Mutual aid

Technician Transportation

2

C Critical care units

Customer participation

People Public safety

Perform Patient transfer

C Coordinated patient record

P Public education

R Review and evaluation

(Shaded entries are discussed in this chapter.)