NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy #2404

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Subject: Medical Control

Standing Orders, Radio Delay, and Radio Failure Reporting

Associated Policies: 2102, 2402, 5321, 5322, 5421, 5422

I. Authority and Reference (incorporated herein by reference)

A. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

B. California Code of Regulations, Title 22.

C. North Coast Emergency Medical Services Policies and Procedures.

II. Purpose

To define the process for medical control regarding radio delay, standing orders, and radio failure.

III. Procedure

A. EMT-II Radio Delay

1. Any use of EMT-II Radio Delay Protocols must be documented on the prehospital care report (PCR) for that incident.

2. Documentation must include the emergency procedures initiated and maintained prior to base hospital contact, and the time of base hospital contact.

3. All PCRs indicating the use of EMT-II Radio Delay must be reviewed and signed by the base hospital physician, indicating that the appropriateness of care has been evaluated.

4. If base physician review indicates inappropriate use of Radio Delay Protocols, a North Coast EMS Incident Report Form must be completed documenting the event.

5. The Incident Report Form, a copy of the PCR, and other supporting documentation must be forwarded to North Coast EMS within 72 hours of physician review.

B. EMT-P Standing Orders

1. Any use of EMT-P Standing Orders must be documented on the PCR for that incident.

2. Documentation must include the emergencies procedures initiated and maintained prior to base hospital contact, and the time of base hospital contact.

3. PCRs indicating use of Standing Orders will be reviewed by the Prehospital Care Nurse Coordinator (PCNC) via the usual case review process. If the PCNC review indicates possible inappropriate utilization of Standing Orders, the base hospital physician will evaluate the case.

4. If base physician review indicates inappropriate use of Standing Orders, a North Coast EMS Incident Report Form must be completed documenting the event.

5. The Incident Report Form, a copy of the PCR, and other supporting documentation must be forwarded to North Coast EMS within 72 hours of physician review.

C. Radio Failure

1. Any use of Radio Failure Protocols must be documented on the PCR for that incident.

2. Documentation must include the emergencies procedures initiated and maintained prior to base hospital contact, the time of base hospital contact, and the reason (or suspected reason) of communication failure.

3. All PCRs indicating the use of Radio Failure must be reviewed and signed by the base hospital physician, indicating that the appropriateness of care has been evaluated.

4. If base physician review indicates inappropriate use of Radio Failure Protocols, a North Coast EMS Incident Report Form must be completed documenting the event.

5. The Incident Report Form, a copy of the PCR, and other supporting documentation must be forwarded to North Coast EMS within 72 hours of physician review.

Approved: Date:

Approved As To Form: Date: