NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy # 2303

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Subject: Medical Control

Care of Minors In The Field

Policy: 1. This policy is intended to provide guidance for pre-hospital care personnel providing emergency field care to minors.

2. This policy is established on the principle that an unemancipated minor is not legally capable of refusing nor consenting to medical care, except during certain circumstances prescribed by law.

3. Definitions:

a. "Minor" is any person under eighteen (18) years of age.

b. "Emancipated minor" is any minor who meets one or more of the following criteria:

1) has entered into a valid marriage, even if such marriage was legally terminated.

2) is on active duty with any of the U.S. armed forces.

3) has received a declaration of emancipation pursuant to Section 64 of the California Civil Code.

4. Treatment Guidelines

a. Life-threatening Situation: If a minor's parent or other qualified legal representative is not present when pre-hospital personnel have reasonably determined that the minor may have a life-threatening injury or illness, then immediate treatment and/or transportation to a medical facility should be initiated without delay.

b. Non-life-threatening Situation: When pre-hospital personnel encounter a minor which is not in a life-threatening situation, then the personnel shall contact his/her base station for instructions. If the base station directs the field personnel to treat and/or transport the minor, then a reasonable attempt to contact a parent or other legally qualified representative should be made before treatment and/or transport. If a parent or legal representative cannot be contacted, then the minor patient should be treated and/or transported to a hospital as directed by the base station.

c. Minor Refusing Care Situation: If an unemancipated minor in either a life-threatening or non-life-threatening situation refuses indicated medical treatment and/or transportation, then pre-hospital personnel should:

1) Apprise the base station of the situation.

2) Assure that a reasonable and prudent attempt to contact a parent or qualified representative has been made.

3) If such contact cannot be made, then contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and request that the patient be taken into custody for medical treatment and/or transportation to a hospital pursuant to Section 625(c) of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, which states: "A peace officer may, without a warrant, take into temporary custody a minor who is under the age of 18 years and who is found in any street or public place suffering from any sickness or injury which requires care, medical treatment, hospitalization, or other remedial care."

All North Coast EMS Policies Incorporated Herein By Reference