Policy 13 — Initial Patient Contact

What minimum equipment must be brought to the patient by responders establishing initial patient contact?

An appropriately-stocked basic airway bag with oxygen

What three resource-limiting situations are exceptions to bringing this minimum equipment immediately?

Motor vehicle collision with multiple patients, a hazardous environment (e.g. HazMat) requiring decontamination/extrication, or a mass casualty situation exceeding responder resources

What triage system should be followed in a mass casualty situation, per the regional MCI plan?

START or JumpSTART triage criteria and procedures

Under what condition may a patient be carried or immediately removed from the scene?

Only if responders encounter a situation where their safety is threatened

What four treatment priorities should the initial responders address first when safety is not an immediate concern?

Circulation, airway patency, breathing/ventilation, and any immediate life or limb threats

What should additional personnel not directly involved in patient care do while others manage treatment?

Acquire event, medical history, allergies, and home medication information from family or others on scene

What should EMS personnel bring to the patient's location along with the stretcher?

Other expected equipment such as a cardiac monitor, medication box, and suction device, per the dispatched complaint

Under what condition may EMS deny a request for additional personnel to accompany the patient during transport?

If resources are limited

Why might EMS limit the number of additional responders during transport?

To better facilitate patient care in the limited space and to ensure all responders' safety

When responding to assist another agency that has ALS capabilities, whose treatment guidelines should personnel follow until patient care is transferred to Crowley FD?

The other agency's treatment guidelines

What must personnel do before following the orders of an on-scene medical professional?

Consult medical control

What must an on-scene medical professional do to assume legal responsibility for the patient, and what happens if they don't?

They must accompany the crew during transport; if they do not, this constitutes abandonment of the patient