Letter A
a - before
AAA - abdominal aortic aneurysm
Abd - abdomen/abdominal
ABGs - arterial blood gases
AC - acromioclavicular (joint)
ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support
AD - right ear
ADT - automated defibrillator technician
adm - admission
AED - automated external defibrillator
A-fib - atrial fibrillation
AHA - American Heart Association
AIDS - acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
AKA - above knee amputation
ALS - Advanced Life Support
am - morning
amb - ambulation
AMI - acute myocardial infarction
amp - ampule
AMPLE - Allergies, Medication, Previous illnesses, Last
meal, Events preceding incident.
amt - amount
ant - anterior
A&O - alert and oriented
ARDS - adult respiratory distress syndrome
AS - left ear
ASA - aspirin
ASAP - as soon as possible
ASHD - arteriosclerotic heart disease
ATF - arrived to find
AU - both ears
AV - atrioventricular
ax - axillary

Letter B
B /bil - bilateral
BBB - bundle branch block
BB/CC - back board and cervical collar
BCLS - basic cardiac life support
bid - twice daily
BKA - below knee amputation
BLS - basic life support
BM - bowel movement
BOM - bilateral otitis media
BP - blood pressure
bpm - beats per minute
BS - bowel sounds/breath sounds/blood sugar
BSA - body surface area
BVM - Bag - Valve Mask

Letter C
oC - centigrade/Celsius
c - with
C1...C7 - cervical nerve 1 through 7;
cervical vertebrae 1 through 7
CA - cancer
Ca - calcium
CABG - coronary artery bypass graft
CAD - coronary artery disease
CAT or CT - computer axial tomography
CBC - complete blood count
cc - cubic centimeter
C/C - chief complaint
C-cath - cardiac catheterization
CCU - Coronary Care Unit
CHF - congestive heart failure
Cl - chloride
cm - centimeter
CMH - Community Mental Health
CNS - central nervous system
CO - carbon monoxide
CO2 - carbon dioxide
c/o - complains of
Code 99 - cardiac arrest
cont - continued
COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
CPR - cardiopulmonary resuscitation
CQI - Continuous Quality Improvement
CRF - chronic renal failure
C-Section - cesarean section
CSF - cerebrospinal fluid
CV - cardiovascular
CVA - cerebrovascular accident
CXR - chest x-ray

Letter D
D/C - discontinue
decub - decubitus ulcer
DIB - difficulty in breathing
DIP - distal interphalangeal (joint)
DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis
DM - diabetes mellitus
DNR - do not resuscitate
DOA - dead on arrival
DOS - dead on scene
DPT - diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
drsg - dressing
d/t - due to
DTs - delirium tremens
DVT - deep vein thrombosis
Dx/diag - diagnosis
D5W - Dextrose 5% in water
D50W - Dextrose 50% in water

Letter E
E-911 - Enhanced 911
EBL - estimated blood loss
ECF - Extended Care Facility
ECG (EKG) - electrocardiogram
ECHO - echocardiogram
ED - Emergency Department
EDC - estimated date of confinement
EEG - electroencephalogram
EMD - Emergency Management Division
EMPD - Emergency Medical Priority Dispatch
EMS - Emergency Medical Services
EMT - emergency medical technician
EMT-P - emergency medical technician paramedic
EMT-S - emergency medical technician specialist
ENT - ears, nose, throat
Epi - Epinephrine
ET - endotracheal
ETA - estimated time of arrival
etiol - etiology
ETOH - alcohol
ETT - endotracheal tube
eval - evaluate
exam - examination

Letter F
oF - Fahrenheit
FA - forearm
FB - foreign body
FD - fire department
Fe - iron
flex - flexion
ft - foot
FTFD - Frenchtown Fire Department
F/U - follow-up
Fx - fracture

Letter G
GB - gallbladder
GC - gonococcus
GE - gastroesophageal
GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease
GI - gastrointestinal
gm - grams
gr - grain
GSW - gun shot wound
G-tube - gastrostomy tube
gtts - drops
GU - genitourinary
Gyn - gynecology

Letter H
HBV - Hepatitis B Virus
HCO3 - bicarbonate
Hct - hematocrit
HEENT - head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat
Hgb - hemoglobin
HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
H20 - water
H202 - hydrogen peroxide
hr - hour
HR - heart rate
hs - at bedtime
ht - height
HTN - hypertension
Hx - history

Letter I
IC - Incident Command/Commander
I/C - Instructor Coordinator
ICU - Intensive Care Unit
ID - Identification
IDDM - Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
IF - index finger
IM - intramuscular
inf - inferior
IO - intraosseous
IPS - initial patient survey
IR - incident report
irreg - irregular
irrig - irrigation
IV - intravenous
IVDA - intravenous drug abuse
IVP - intravenous push
IVPB - intravenous piggyback

Letter J
JVD - jugular vein distention
jt - joint
J-tube - jejunostomy tube

Letter K
K - killed - dead on scene
K+ - potassium
kg - kilogram
KIB836 - Monroe County EMS call letters/numbers
KVO - keep vein open

Letter L
L - left
L liter
L1...L5 - lumbar nerve 1 through 5;
lumbar vertebrae 1 through 5
lab - laboratory
lat - lateral
lb / # - pound
lg - large
lido - lidocaine
liq - liquid
LLL - left lower lobe
LLQ - left lower quadrant
L/min - liters per minute
LMP - last menstrual period
LMR - Lambertville/Maybee/Raisinville
LOC - loss of consciousness/level of consciousness
LR - Lactated Ringers Solution
LS - lumbosacral
LUL - left upper lobe
LUQ - left upper quadrant
LV - left ventricle
LVH - left ventricular hypertrophy
lytes - electrolytes

Letter M
m - meter
MAL - mid-axillary line
MAST - medical antishock trousers
Max - maximum
MCA - Medical Control Authority
MCCD Monroe County Central Dispatch
mcg - microgram
MCL - mid-clavicular line
MCMCA - Monroe County Medical Control Authority
MCMCB - Monroe County Medical Control Board
MCP - Monroe City Police
MCSD - Monroe County Sheriff's Department
MDCIS - Michigan Department of Consumer and
Industry Services
MDI - metered dose inhaler
ME - Medical Examiner
meds - medications
mEq - milliquivalent
MF - middle finger
MFD - Monroe Fire Department
MFR - Medical First Responder
mg - milligram
Mg - magnesium
MI - myocardial infarction
min - minute
Min - minimal
ml/mL - milliliter
mm - millimeter
MMH - Mercy Memorial Hospital
MMNC - Mercy Memorial Nursing Center
mmHg - millimeters of mercury
MMR - measles, mumps, and rubella
Mod - moderate
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRSA - methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus
MRSE - methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermis
MS - multiple sclerosis / morphine sulfate
MSP - Michigan State Police
MVA - motor vehicle accident
MVP - mitral valve prolaps

Letter N
Na - sodium
NA - not applicable
NAHCO3 - sodium bicarbonate
NC - nasal cannula
NG - nasogastric
NH - nursing home
NIDDM - non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitis
NKA - no known allergies
NKDA - no known drug allergies
npo - nothing by mouth
NRM - non-rebreather mask
NS - normal saline
NSR - normal sinus rhythm
N/V - nausea / vomiting
NTG - nitroglycerin

Letter O
O2 - oxygen
O2Sat - oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter
OB - obstetrics
OBS - organic brain syndrome
OD - right eye
OHS - Occupational Health Services
O/P - outpatient
OR - operating room
OS - left eye
O&T - Operations and Training
OTC - over the counter
OU - both eyes
oz - ounce

Letter P
P - pulse
p - after
PAC - premature atrial contraction
PAT - paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Path - pathology
Pb - lead
PD - Police Department
PE - pulmonary embolism
PEA - pulseless electrical activity
Peds - pediatrics
per - by or through
PERRLA - pupils, equal, round, reactive to light and
accommodation
pH - hydrogen ion concentration
PI - personal injury
PIP - proximal interphalangeal (joint)
PJC - premature junctional contraction
pm - afternoon
PMH - past medical history
po - by mouth
post - posterior
post op - postoperative
pov private owned vehicle
pre op - preoperative
prn - whenever necessary
PSH - past surgical history
PSVT - paroxismal supraventricular tachycardia
Pt - patient
PUD - peptic ulcer disease
PVC - premature ventricular contraction
P, W & D - Pink, Warm and Dry

Letter Q
q - every
qh - every hour
qid - four times daily

Letter R
R - right
reg - regular
resp - respiration
RLL - right lower lobe
RLQ - right lower quadrant
RML - right middle lobe
R/O - rule out
ROM - range of motion
RUL - right upper lobe
RUQ - right upper quadrant
Rx - prescription

Letter S
s - without
S1...S5 - sacral nerves 1 through 5;
sacral vertebrae 1 through 5
SA - sinoatrial (node)
SC - subclavian
sec - second
SI - sacroiliac (joint)
SL - sublingual
sm - small
SOB - short of breath
SOP - Standard Operating Procedure
s/p - status post
SpO2 - oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter
SRFD - South Rockwood Fire Department
S/S - signs and symptoms
STAT - at once
STD - sexually transmitted disease
St.V - St. Vincent Hospital
SVT - supraventricular tachycardia
Sx - Symptom

Letter T
T - temperature
T1...T12 - thoracic nerves 1 through 12;
thoracic vertebrae 1 through 12
T&A - tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
tab - tablet
TB - tuberculosis
tbsp - tablespoon
TCP - transcutaneous pacing
Td - tetanus-diphtheria toxoid
Tele - telemetry
TIA - transient ischemic attack
tid - three times a day
TKO - to keep open
TMJ - temporo mandibilar joint
TPA - tissue plasminogen activator
trach - tracheal/tracheostomy
tsp - teaspoon
Tx - treatment

Letter U
UGI - upper gastrointestinal
UHF - ultra-high frequency
URI - upper respiratory infection
UTI - urinary tract infection
UTL - unable to locate
US - ultrasound

Letter V
VD - venereal disease
V-fib - ventricular fibrillation
VHF - very-high frequency
vent - ventilator
VS - vital signs
VT/V tach - ventricular tachycardia

Letter W
W&D - warm and dry
WNL - within normal limits
wt - weight

Letter Y
Y/O - year old

MONROE COUNTY EMS NUMBER CODES
Number Codes
911 - Central Dispatch Emergency Telephone #
E-911 - Enhanced 911
10-25 - run canceled - back in service
Code 1 - no lights or sirens
Code 3 - full lights and sirens
Code 99 - cardiac arrest
KIB-836 - Monroe County EMS call letters/numbers

MONROE COUNTY EMS SYMBOLS
Symbols
| - increase/up/upper
| - decrease/down/lower
-----> - to
<----- - from
3 - check
# - pound
O - positive
O - negative
> - greater than
< - less than
= - equal
~ - approximately
x - times
_ - change
? - questionable
O - no
@ - at
o - degree
: - ratio
O - male
O - female
' - feet
" - inches

MONROE COUNTY EMS DEFINITIONS
Adult - Ages 10 years and older

Child - Ages 1 year up to 10 years

Closest Approximate Medical Facility - The closest medical facility/hospital having the specialty services required for a particular injury/illness.

Closest Medical Facility - The hospital(s) closest (as determined by travel time) to a given scene location, including any hospital(s) within three (3) minutes time difference of the actual closest facility.

Credentialling - The process by which paramedics are tested and observed for proficiency in ALS knowledge and skills on a regular basis for approval to perform at an ALS/paramedic level in Monroe County.

EMS Response Levels:
OMEGA - Patient assist only - not requiring patient transport. COLD response.

ALPHA - All units COLD response - patient requiring BLS transport only. Fire Department MFR response optional

BRAVO - MFR agency responds HOT; ALS unit responds COLD until updated by MFR agency - severity of medical emergency undetermined.

CHARLIE - All units respond HOT - patient requires ALS assessment and/or treatment.

DELTA - All units respond HOT - patient requires ALS assessment and/or transport and also requires specialty equipment or increased number of on-scene personnel.

COLD/CODE 1 - EMS response without use of emergency lights or sirens - normal driving speed while obeying all traffic laws and signals.

HOT/CODE 3 - EMS response with use of emergency lights and sirens - driving with due safety.

Dispatch - County or private service receiving requests for response of an EMS vehicle, then dispatching the appropriate service/vehicle.

Infant - Newborn to one (1) year

Inter facility Transfer - Transfer of a patient by ambulance or other medical transport vehicle from one medical facility to another. This does not include patient transport from an extended care facility to an Emergency Department for emergency assessment and care.

Mobile EMS Unit Types
Alpha - Advanced Life Support Ambulance
Bravo - Basic Life Support Ambulance
Charlie - Supervisory Vehicle
Delta - Physician Vehicle
Echo - Advanced Life Support Non-Transport Vehicle
Hotel - Air Ambulance or Helicopter
Life - Limited Advanced Life Support Ambulance
Mike - Limited Advanced Life Support Non-Transport Vehicle
November - Neonatal Unit
Romeo - Rescue and Extrication Unit
Tango - Basic Life Support Non-Transport Vehicle
Mutual Aid - EMS assistance (BLS or ALS) rendered in a given geographical area by an EMS agency based outside of that agency's normal jurisdiction. This assistance is made by request of the EMS agency which is based within that same geographical area. Mutual aid is by request only and will only be requested when the resources within a given geographical area have been exhausted or are inadequate.

Off-Line Medical Direction - Medical direction given via protocols and procedures written by the Medical Control Authority and approved by the State of Michigan prior to patient assessment and care.

On-Line Medical Direction - Medical direction given to an EMS agency via direct radio or telephone communication with Medical Control at the time of patient assessment and care.

Priority 1 - A critically ill or injured patient with unstable vital signs requiring intense ALS care.

Priority 2 - A moderately ill or injured patient with stable vital signs requiring minimal to moderate ALS care.

Priority 3 - A minimally ill or injured patient with stable vital signs requiring BLS care only.

Priority 4 - A patient meeting "Dead-on-Scene" criteria.

Priority 5 - A victim of a multiple patient trauma who is not yet dead but triaged as unsalvageable.

Paramedic Classification:
New Paramedic - A recent (less than one year) graduate of a paramedic course or a paramedic who has worked in the Monroe area for less than six (6) months. A new paramedic must always be paired with a senior paramedic.

Junior Paramedic - A paramedic with at minimum one (1) full year of field experience as a paramedic and at minimum six (6) months' field experience working ALS in Monroe County.

Senior Paramedic - A paramedic with significant field experience as a paramedic and who is well experienced with Monroe County EMS protocols and Monroe County geography. Designation as a Senior Paramedic must be mutually agreed between the EMS Medical Director and the individual's employer.

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