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Glossary

The glossary is divided into sections. The sections are:

Definitions of general terms used in EWA

Definitions of terms used in the user interface of EWA

Definitions of timestamps used in EWA

Definitions of general terms used in EWA

Air ambulance service

DefinitionAn air ambulance service involves the transportation of critically ill or injured individuals via aircraft to a medical facility or between medical facilities. This service is typically utilized in situations where rapid transport is essential or where ground transportation is impractical due to distance, geographical barriers, or the urgency of the medical condition. Air ambulances can include helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft, each with its own advantages based on the specific needs of the patient and the situation.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedHEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service), HeliMed
References
NorwegianLuftambulansetjenesten
Danish
German

Ambulance

DefinitionAn ambulance is a specially equipped vehicle designed to transport patients in need of medical attention, from one location to another, typically from the scene of an emergency to a hospital or medical facility.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedDouble Crewed Ambulance (DCA)
References
NorwegianAmbulanse
Danish
German

Ambulance personnel

DefinitionAmbulance personnel, are the trained individuals responsible for providing medical care and transportation to patients in need, primarily within an ambulance setting.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedSpecialist paramedic, Paramedic, Ambulance technician, Ambulance support worker
References
NorwegianAmbulansepersonell
Danish
German

Ambulance station

DefinitionAn ambulance station, also known as an ambulance depot or ambulance base, is a facility where ambulances are stationed, maintained, and dispatched. These stations serve as operational hubs for emergency medical services (EMS) and are strategically located within a region or community to ensure timely responses to emergencies.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedAmbulance Hub
References
NorwegianAmbulansestasjon
Danish
German

Emergency department (ED)

DefinitionThe emergency department in a hospital is a specialized unit designed to provide immediate medical care to patients who are in need of urgent attention due to injury or illness.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedED (short for Emergency Department), Emergency room
References
NorwegianAkuttmottak
Danish
German

EOC

DefinitionAn Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is a central command and control facility that's designed to support and coordinate public health emergency response and management.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAMK
Danish
German

ePCR

DefinitionePCR stands for electronic patient care record. It is a digital record of the care and treatment provided to a patient by paramedics or other emergency medical services (EMS) personnel during an ambulance transport. The ePCR includes information about the patient's medical history, symptoms, vital signs, and the interventions and medications provided by the EMS team.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedePRF
References
NorwegianPrehospital Elektronisk Pasient Journal - forkortet PEPJ
Danish
German

Incident

DefinitionAn incident is defined as an event or situation that requires the coordination and deployment of medical resources and personnel in order to provide medical care and support to patients in need. Incidents may include a wide range of medical emergencies, such as cardiac arrest, stroke, trauma, or other life-threatening conditions.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianHendelse
Danish
German

Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)

DefinitionSame Day Emergency Care (SDEC) is a healthcare model within emergency departments focused on providing comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and potential discharge for select patients on the same day, aiming to streamline care and minimize hospital admissions when appropriate.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianOBS-post, KAD
Danish
German

Urgent Care Center (UCC)

DefinitionAn Urgent Care Center (UCC) is a medical facility designed to provide immediate care for medical conditions that require prompt attention but are not life-threatening emergencies. These centers are an alternative to emergency departments for situations that need timely treatment but aren't severe enough to warrant an ED visit.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianLegevakt
Danish
German

Definitions of terms used in the user interface of EWA

Active user

DefinitionThe person registered as the active user of the app. In the app, this will include being a primary ambulance worker, with responsibility for prehospital care and attend the patient.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAktiv bruker
Danish
German

Chief complaint

DefinitionChief complaint refers to the primary symptom, issue, or concern that prompted the patient to seek medical attention or the reason for the emergency medical services (EMS) response.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedMain problem / Primary problem / Assessed condition
References
NorwegianBedømt tilstand / Primærproblem
Danish
German

Dispatch code

DefinitionA dispatch code is a standardized system used by emergency dispatch centers to categorize and prioritize incoming calls for emergency assistance.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedNHS Pathway Code
References
NorwegianIndekskriterie / Kriterienummer
Danish
German

Dispatch information

DefinitionThe essential details provided to emergency responders, including the nature and location of the incident, hazards present, caller information, and any additional instructions needed for a prompt and effective response
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAMK bestilling
Danish
German

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

DefinitionGlasgow Coma Scale is a widely used tool for assessing the level of consciousness and cognitive function of patients with brain injuries or other neurological disorders, and for guiding treatment and monitoring recovery. The GCS score is based on a scale of 3 to 15, with a higher score indicating a higher level of consciousness and cognitive function. A score of 3 indicates the most severe level of injury, while a score of 15 indicates a normal level of consciousness and cognitive function.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedGCS
References
NorwegianGCS
Danish
German

History of presenting complaint

DefinitionThe "history of presenting complaint" refers to the details and background information provided by a patient or bystanders about the current medical issue or condition that led to their request for medical assistance.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedMedical history
References
NorwegianSykehistorie / Anamnese
Danish
German

Incident number

DefinitionThe unique identifier assigned to each emergency or incident that the EOC is managing.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAMIS-nummer / Hendelsesnummer
Danish
German

Intervention

DefinitionIntervention refers to any action or procedure that is taken in order to address a medical condition or problem, and may include a wide range of treatments, therapies, and procedures that are used to prevent, diagnose, treat, or manage medical condition.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedMeasures
ReferencesVolven (Norwegian)
NorwegianTiltak
Danish
German

MissionID

DefinitionGenuine number for each assignment. Used as identification of the individual assignment, without the need for patient identifying information.
Further explanation/ clarificationIn UK the MissionID is a combination of the Incident number and the resource id (e.g 12345678-7345)
Other terms used
References
NorwegianOppdragsID
Danish
German

Mission type

DefinitionCategory of mission. E.g. Ordinary ambulance mission, Assisting Police / Fire dep.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianOppdragstype
Danish
German

Medical Chart

DefinitionA record of a patients clinical data and medical history, such as vital signs, medications, treatment. Describes the systematic documentation of a single patient's medical history and care across a timeline.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedChart
References
NorwegianKurve
Danish
German

Medication

DefinitionSubstances, drugs and preparations given to prevent, cure or alleviate illness or symptoms of illness.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
ReferencesVolven (Norwegian)
NorwegianLegemidler
Danish
German

Mission

DefinitionA mission refers to a specific assignment that an ambulance crew is dispatched to. This could include responding to a medical emergency, transporting a patient to a hospital, or providing assistance to the fire department.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianOppdrag
Danish
German

Monitor

DefinitionAn integrated monitor is a medical device that combines the functionalities of monitoring with the capability of delivering defibrillation therapy. It's a system designed to monitor a patient's heart rhythm and vital signs while also being equipped to deliver an electrical shock, if necessary.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedMultimonitor, Defibrillator, Defib
References
NorwegianMultimonitor
Danish
German

Next of kin

DefinitionNext of kin refers to a person's closest living blood relative. In practical terms it is used for the person that the patient refers to as closest relative. This could be family but also friends or others.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedRelatives
ReferencesVolven (Norwegian)
NorwegianPårørende
Danish
German

Patient

DefinitionA person who is receiving medical care or treatment for a health condition. The term patient is typically used to refer to individuals who are receiving care or treatment from a healthcare professional or facility, such as a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianPasient
Danish
German

Personal identity number

DefinitionThe personal identity number is a ten to twelve digit number that is used to identify individuals. In EWA it is used to identify the patient.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedNHS number
References
NorwegianPersonnummer
Danish
German

Trauma

DefinitionRegistration of injuries to the body as a result of external influences, for example in connection with violence or accident. Registers energy impact, damage mechanism, type of damage and use of protective equipment.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
ReferencesVolven (Norwegian)
NorwegianTraume/skademekanikk
Danish
German

Definitions of timestamps used in EWA

The timestamps are ordered in a chronological order

Time stamps

Stack time

DefinitionThe time when a new incident is registered in the EOC
Further explanation/ clarificationThe background for the term comes from how the ongoing incidents is presented in a list (as a stack)
Other terms usedTime of origin, Originating time
References
NorwegianAMK varslet
Danish
German

Dispatch time

DefinitionDispatch time typically refers to the assignment of resources, such as ambulances and personnel, to respond to specific emergency calls.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms usedAllocated, Dispatched
References
NorwegianAmbulanse varslet
Danish
German

Mobile

DefinitionMobile refers to the status of an ambulance when it's actively responding to a call or en route to a location to provide emergency medical assistance. In short - when the wheels are rolling.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianRykker ut
Danish
German

At scene time

DefinitionAt scene in ambulance service indicates that the ambulance has reached the location of an emergency or incident where medical assistance is required
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianFremme hendelsessted
Danish
German

At patient time

DefinitionAt patient time refers to the time when the ambulance crew begins to provide medical care to the patient.
Further explanation/ clarificationThis can be a different time from arrival at the scene, as there might be a delay between reaching the location and actually reaching the patient. Factors such as the distance from the ambulance parking area to the patient's location, obstacles at the scene, or safety considerations can all contribute to this delay.
Other terms used
References
NorwegianFremme pasient
Danish
German

Depart scene

DefinitionDepart scene in ambulance services refers to the moment when an ambulance leaves the location where it responded to an emergency call. Once the ambulance crew has completed the necessary medical care, stabilized the patient (if applicable), and is ready to transport the individual to a medical facility, they depart the scene.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAvreist hentested
Danish
German

At via

DefinitionThe time the ambulance arrives a via location. Via location is only used if the ambulance stops by a via location on their way to the final destination. E.g emergency primary care center or GP's office
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianFremme via-sted
Danish
German

Depart via

DefinitionThe time the ambulance departs a via location and continues the transport to the final destination
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAvreist via-sted
Danish
German

Arrived destination

DefinitionArrived destination is the time that the ambulance has reached the designated healthcare facility or destination with the patient on board.
Further explanation/clarification
Other terms usedArrived hospital, At destination
References
NorwegianFremme leveringssted
Danish
German

Handover time

DefinitionHandover time refers to the time when emergency medical personnel transfer care of a patient from the pre-hospital setting (such as an ambulance) to the healthcare professionals within a hospital or medical facility. It involves providing a comprehensive report on the patient's condition, the care provided during transit, and any relevant medical history.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianPasientomsorg avsluttet
Danish
German

Clear

DefinitionThe time when the ambulance available for a new assignment or to return to their base.
Further explanation/ clarificationIn cases where the patient is not being transported (non-conveyance ), this time will be "Clear at scene"
Other terms used
References
NorwegianLedig
Danish
German

Return to base

DefinitionThe time when the ambulance is back at base.
Further explanation/ clarification
Other terms used
References
NorwegianAvsluttet
Danish
German