The first thing in system administration of EMS is ?

The question asks: "The first thing in system administration of EMS is _______?"

To effectively administer an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system, the initial step involves understanding the problem it aims to solve.

Let's evaluate the options:

• a. ascertain public opinion: While public opinion can be valuable for support and feedback, it's not the very first step in establishing or administering the core function of an EMS system.
• b. develop funding mechanism: Funding is essential, but you need to know what you're funding before you can effectively develop a mechanism for it.
• c. Set up a reporting mechanism: Reporting is crucial for monitoring and improvement, but it comes after the system's operations and services are defined.
• d. Determine patient need: This is the fundamental first step. Before any other aspect of an EMS system can be planned or implemented (like funding, staffing, equipment, or protocols), it is critical to assess the community's specific medical emergency needs. This includes understanding the types of emergencies, their frequency, the demographics of the population, and the existing gaps in care. This assessment informs all subsequent decisions in system administration.

Therefore, determining patient need is the logical starting point for the system administration of EMS.

The correct option is:
d. Determine patient need