NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy 4705
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Subject: Manpower/Training
Mobile Intensive Care Nurse, Advance Life Support Field Observation Guidelines
I. Authority and Reference (Incorporated herein by references)
A. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code
B. North Coast Emergency Medical Sservices Policies and Procedures
II. Purpose
To provide guidelines and establish the function and responsibilities of the Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN) while participating in Advanced Life Support (ALS) field observation time.
III. Policy
A. Only one MICN observer may be scheduled to accompany the ambulance at the time. Scheduling of the ambulance time shall be at the discretion of the ambulance provider. It is the responsibility of the base hospital Prehospital Care Nurse Coordinator (PCNC) and/or the individual MICN to make arrangements with the ambulance provider's liaison or base supervisor for field observation time.
B. The rules and regulations of the ambulance provider will be respected and adhered to by the MICN. Any non compliance may result in the termination of the field observation period. Observers will not interfere with field personnel as they perform their duties. See "E" below.
C. Appropriate professional attire and identifying name tags must be worn by the MICN while participating in field observation.
D. The Base Hospital shall maintain workman's compensation and malpractice insurance, or similar coverage, for the MICN during field observation time.
E. The ambulance provider is not responsible for actions of the MICN. The MICN may assist with patient care at the request and under the direction of the EMT responsible for patient care. The EMT maintains responsibility and authority for patient care, under the guidance and direction of the base hospital. The MICN observer may not provide orders to the EMT.
F. Field observation time card and patient contacts will be documented on the verification of MICN Field Observation form.
IV. Procedure
Many MICNs work in base hospitals where ALS field units have a low patient call volume. Listed below are suggested activities to improve the quality of field observation time. These activities are designed to enhance the hours spent waiting for field patient contacts.
NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy #4705
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Page 2 of 2
Subject: Manpower/Training
MICN ALS Field Observation Guidelines
A. MICNs:
1. may receive credit for patient contacts spent on emergency transfers.
2. from one base hospital may ride along with another NCEMS base hospital's ALS field unit with a higher patient call volume. The required ALS field observation may also be completed outside the North Coast EMS region with prior approval, from the North Coast EMS Medical Director.
3. PCNC's may participate in simulated field calls. Arrangements for simulation will be the Base Hospital PCNC's responsibility. Simulations must involve a mock patient and actual simulated patient care and transport, and must continue at least thirty (30) minutes. This will constitute one patient contact. The EMT acting as coordinator of the simulation may be credited with one (1) hour of CE. The EMT must have worked as an EMT-II/P for at least one (1) year within the North Coast EMS Region.
4. are responsible for providing the verification of MICN field observation form and to obtain the appropriate signatures.
B. MICNs are encouraged to:
1. Seek an orientation to the ambulance at the beginning of the crewshift.
2. View videos pertaining to prehospital care.
3. Accompany their assigned crew on all duties, including standbys (i.e. football games, fires, etc.)
4. Ask questions.
Cross Reference Policy #s: 3605, 4702, 4004
Approved: Date:
Approved as to Form: Date: