This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Star of Life is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (January 2008) |
 |
Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (January 2008) |
The Star of Life is a blue, six-pointed star, outlined with a white border which features the Rod of Asclepius in the center, originally designed and governed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (under the United States Department of Transportation, DOT). Traditionally in the United States the logo was used as a stamp of authentication or certification for ambulances, paramedics or other EMS personnel. Internationally, it represents emergency medical services (EMS) units and personnel. A similar orange star is used for search and rescue personnel and yet another version is used for Wilderness emergency medical technician.
The following link from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) provides more information: http://www.ems.gov/vgn-ext-templating/ems/sol/pages/Contents.htm. [1]
Contents |
History
Originally, many ambulances used an Omaha orange cross on a square background of reflectorized white to designate them as emergency units. This logo was used before national standards for Emergency Medical Personnel or ambulances were established. Designed by Leo R. Schwartz, Chief of the EMS Branch, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),[1] the Star of Life was created after the American National Red Cross complained in 1973 that the orange cross too closely resembled their logo, the red cross on a white background.[2] The newly designed cross was adapted from the Medical Identification Symbol of the American Medical Association, which was patented by the American Medical Association (AMA) in 1967. The newly designed logo was patented on February 1, 1977 with the Commissioner of Patents and Trade-marks in the name of the National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration. The logo was 'given' to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) for use as the emergency medical technicians (EMT) logo after the patent expired in 1997.[3]
The Snake Emblem
The snake emblem is the Rod of Asclepius, widely used as the symbol of medical care. There are several theories as to its development, and it is named for one of them. Asclepius was a figure in Greek mythology who possessed healing power.
Symbolism
The six branches of the star are symbols of the six main tasks executed by rescuers all through the emergency chain:[4]
- Detection – The first rescuers on the scene, usually untrained civilians or those involved in the incident, observe the scene, understand the problem, identify the dangers to themselves and the others, and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety on the scene (environmental, electricity, chemicals, radiations, etc.).
- Reporting – The call for professional help is made and dispatch is connected with the victims, providing emergency medical dispatch.
- Response – The first rescuers provide first aid and immediate care to the extent of their capabilities.
- On scene care – The EMS personnel arrive and provide immediate care to the extent of their capabilities on-scene.
- Care in Transit – The EMS personnel proceed to transfer the patient to a hospital via an ambulance or helicopter for specialized care. They provide medical care during the transportation.
- Transfer to Definitive care – Appropriate specialized care is provided at the hospital.
Common Use
While no agency is tasked solely with enforcing its use as a mark of certification, the Star of Life has traditionally been used as a means of identification for medical personnel, equipment, and vehicles.
Many ambulance services mark the symbol on their vehicles, and ambulance crews often wear the design as part of their uniform. It appears on various medical textbooks as well as on a wide range of merchandise aimed at the medic market. In hospitals and other buildings, elevators that are marked with the symbol indicate that the elevator is large enough to hold a stretcher.citation needed
See also
References
- ^ "The Star of Life". Gorham EMS. Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
- ^ "Star of Life - The EMS Symbol". South Dakota EMS. Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
- ^ "History of National Registry of EMTs". Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
- ^ "Star of Life". Retrieved on 2007-06-29.
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 12 September 2008, at 08:13.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Star of Life".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.