Chapter 1 Introduction to Emergency Medical Services 1) Which of the following refers to a program or process for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of an EMS system? A) Quality improvement B) System effectiveness management C) Process Improvement Plan (PIP) D) Total quality system Answer: A Explanation: A) CORRECT. Quality improvement (QI) consists of continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying aspects of the EMS system that require improvement, with subsequent action plans to make necessary changes. B) INCORRECT. System effectiveness management does not refer to a program of evaluating and improving an EMS system. C) INCORRECT. A program or process for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of an EMS system is not referred to as a Process Improvement Program. D) INCORRECT. The term "total quality system" does not refer to a program for improving the effectiveness of EMS systems. Page Ref: 13 Objective: 1.2 2) Which of the following groups is credited with developing the earliest documented emergency medical service? A) The Spanish B) The Egyptians C) The Mayans D) The French Answer: D Explanation: A) INCORRECT. The Spanish did not develop the first documented emergency medical service; the French did in the 1700s. B) INCORRECT. Although known for progress in technical areas, the Egyptians were not responsible for the first documented emergency medical service. In 1790, the French first began transporting wounded soldiers away from battlefields and to waiting medical care. C) INCORRECT. The earliest documented emergency medical service was in France in 1790, nearly a thousand years after the Mayan civilization disappeared. D) CORRECT. The earliest documented emergency medical service was in 1790 when the French began transporting wounded soldiers from the scenes of battle to waiting physicians. Page Ref: 3 Objective: 1.1