View source for Patient Transports

==Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS==
===220.17 Patient Transports===

===PURPOSE:===
To establish the policies and procedures for the transportation of patients to assigned
medical facilities from the scenes of ALS or BLS medical emergencies.
 
===PROCEDURE:===
These procedures are to be followed by all personnel. They are designed to assist firerescue medical personnel assigned with primary patient care when transportation to a medical facility is deemed necessary or required. The parameters as established by the current Medical Direction authority with whom the Department has a current contract will also be followed by all personnel to insure proper medical care and treatment. Paramedics should use these guidelines to make educated decisions regarding patient transport. These procedures should be considered as Department general practices.
* Two transport capable units shall be staffed at all times with a minimum of one autonomous Paramedic on each unit. All other designated ALS units may also be staffed with a Paramedic if staffing allows.
* It will be the practice of Maitland Fire Rescue to follow the practice parameters of the Medical Director established for the agency and under whose license the agency operates.
* Only autonomous Paramedics or pre-designated FIT interns are allowed to accompany patients during transport to the hospital.
* It is the practice to of the Maitland Fire Rescue Department to have at least one autonomous Paramedic and one EMT accompany any potentially unstable, unstable or critical patient to the hospital during transport.
* Patients are to be transported to the closest hospital of their choice unless diversion is medically necessary. Transport to a hospital outside of our normal transport area is to be made by the on-duty Battalion Chief prior to the transport.
* The Department’s “Abbreviated Patient Care Report” shall be completed at the medical facility with a copy of the report left with the nurse that assessed the patient.
* Each unit should be returned as soon as possible to ready status in accordance to the “EMS off-load directive”. All supplies should be replenished upon return to quarters.
* Decontamination of the unit due to patient contamination should be done at the medical facility unless a delay is expected. At that time, keep the unit out of service with Orange County and return to quarters for further decontamination. Notify your OIC if such a delay is expected.
* All sheets and other patient specific materials must be changed prior to the unit becoming available for service.
* All reports should be completed upon return to quarters. Other station duties should be delayed until medical run reports are completed for each incident while the information is fresh on the minds of the Paramedics. EMTs assigned to the call are encouraged to assist the Paramedics with the completion of the required reports.

===Green Cots===
* The use of green cots for delayed off-load must be coordinated by the on-duty Battalion Chief.

[[Category:Fire Operations - EMS]]