Can the well trained EMT-paramedic maintain skills and knowledge?

Reliable criteria exist to assess emergency medical technician (EMT)-paramedic team and individual competence. In addition to written and oral examiniation, reliable individual manipulative skill data, and on-scene observation of emergency care by responsible physicians, EMT-paramedic team competence may be assessed by using tracer conditions that reflect patient outcome converted to a standard base population per unit time. Using standard definitions of "resuscitation" and "save," and the pulseless, nonbreathing patient as tracer, 75 (31%) of 241 patients were resuscitated and 34 (14%) were saved. Team manipulative skill competence may also be determined by an appropriate tracer.