EMS Operations
SOP
EMS OPERATIONS
Adopted 2020
Ref: Skagit County BLS care protocols
Definitions:
ALS: Advance Life Support - Paramedic
BLS: Basic Life Support – EMT or EMR
EMT: Emergency Medical Technician
EMR: Emergency Medical Responder (First Responder)
Implied Consent: When a patient is unconscious or for some other reason unable to give you their actual consent and if the patient has what you believe to be a life-threatening illness or injury, the law assumes that the patient, if able to do so, would want to receive treatment. This also applies to patients who are mentally ill, emotionally disturbed, or developmentally disabled who have a life-threatening problem.
Procedure
All personnel will provide patient care to the level consistent with their level of training and certification. EMT and EMR shall follow the most current edition on the Skagit County BLS protocols. All operations at the emergency incident shall be carried out in such a manner to provide for the safety of all personnel involved. Appropriate universal precautions and PPE shall be used with all patients. Minimum PPE to be used is nitrile medical exam gloves with ANSI approved safety glasses. Additional protective equipment shall be used according to District procedures.
The District officer or senior EMS person shall function as the Incident Commander.
The IC will request Law Enforcement (Sheriff) when a patient is found deceased or has the high probability of death. Law Enforcement will contact the Skagit County Corner. All members shall make every attempt to preserve any evidence and move only necessary items. All items moved shall be documented and provided to law enforcement. Weapons found at the scene shall not be moved unless removal is necessary to insure the safety of the EMS provider and/or provide proper patient care. Law enforcement shall be notified of weapon movement.
Oral and Written Disclosure of Health Care Information:
Limited health care information may be disclosed. The following health care information may be disclosed orally, without authorization, to the general public and news media.
- a. Number and where the patient/s were transported.
- b. Time of transport.
Oral disclosure of health care information may be made to other on scene responders, law enforcement, and immediate family members or care givers of the patient. Members violating this will be subject to discipline according to District policy.
Record keeping
All actions and patient care information shall be documented. First aid certified personnel shall us the Skagit County EMS BLS form.
The top copy shall be given to the ALS / transport unit. The remainder shall be returned to the station a placed in a secure location for further input to data storage. Copies shall be shredded after data entry.
EMT and EMR personnel shall use the ESO reporting software and devices to document all actions. This report shall be completed within 24 hours of the call for approval and QA.
If a patient with obvious injury or illness refuses treatment, the senior EMS person or Officer shall ensure the ALS unit is dispatched for evaluation and refusal of care documentation. This action shall be recorded on a Skagit EMS BLS report form.
