Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is the delivery of life-saving healthcare to patients outside of the hospital environment. EMS care is usually delivered by prehospital rescuers such as EMT?s and paramedics.

Citizens in the United States typically access EMS by dialing 911 and calling for help. A myriad of resources are triggered from a single 911phone call. These many components work together to achieve two primary goals:

       1) Deliver on-scene, life-saving intervention as soon as possible.

       2) Deliver the patient as quickly as possible to a hospital Emergency Department.

What is Research?

Many definitions of "research" exist.  One offered by Paul Leedy and Jeanne Ormrod in Practical Research: Planning and Design describes research as: 

       1) Originating with a question or a problem.

       2) Clear articulation of a goal

       3) Following a specific plan of procedures.

       4) Dividing up the principal problem into manageable smaller problems.

       5) Using the problem statement, research question, or hypothesis as a guide.

       6) Accepting critical assumptions and theoretical frameworks.

       7) The collection and interpretation of data.

       8) Working cyclically to solve a problem, answer a research question, or test hypothesis.

Reference:  Paul D. Leedy and Jeanne E. Ormrod.  Practical Research: Planning and
Design. (8th Edition). 2004.  (ISBN-10: 0131108956)