ATC NJ EMT Medical Protocols (2024)

EMTs may only administer medications ordered by medical control (online/offline).
Familiarity with general medication administration is critical.
Medication errors often stem from not adhering to the "rights" of administration:
- Right Patient: Ensure you are treating the correct patient, especially with multiple patients present.
- Right Medication and Indication: Verify the medication and patient suitability.
- Example Scenario: Improperly administering a nitroglycerin meant for another person can be a violation.

Right Dose:
- Confirm correct form and dosage (e.g., 324 mg of aspirin).
Right Route:
- Ensure the medication route matches the order received (e.g., no substituting capsule for a tablet).
Right Time:
- Check expiration and condition of medications.
Right Education:
- Inform patients about the medication and confirm any allergies.
Right to Refuse:
- Respect patient autonomy in refusing treatment.
Right Response and Evaluation:
- Monitor vital signs and patient responses post-medication.
Right Documentation:
- Properly document all actions and patient responses post-administration.(Documentation helps protect EMTs legally)

Conduct scene size-up, primary assessment, and immediate interventions.
Have an AED ready.
For patients with shortness of breath (SpO2 < 94%), administer oxygen.
Request Advanced Life Support (ALS) as necessary.
Obtain vital signs and conduct a secondary assessment.
Medications to Administer:
- Aspirin (ASA): 324 mg oral dose, confirm dosing before administration.
- Nitroglycerin (NTG): Administer sublingually; reassess after 1-2 minutes.

Scene size-up and primary assessment.
Administer oxygen (NRB at 10-15 LPM or NC at 6 LPM).
Request ALS support.
Consider epinephrine for suspected life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Medications to Administer:
- Epinephrine Auto-injector: Administer per protocol for suspected anaphylaxis.
- Document administration and patient response

Conduct scene size-up and primary assessment.
Administer oxygen promptly.
Request ALS support and monitor vital signs.
For patients with respiratory depression, administer Naloxone (Narcan) as needed.
Medications to Administer:
- Naloxone (Narcan): Administer intranasally or via IM auto-injector for suspected overdose.
- Document all doses and responses.

Conduct scene size-up and prepare interventions.
Monitor SpO2 and administer oxygen as tolerated.
Position patient comfortably.
Request ALS when necessary and obtain vital signs and history.
Medications to Administer:
- Short-acting Bronchodilator: Administer via MDI or nebulizer per protocols.
- CPAP Therapy: Use in suitable patients; document therapy and monitoring.
MDI:
- Source: Prescription and supplied by patient
- Who is authorized to give?: All EMTs
- Indications: Patients experiencing respiratory distress,
- Contraindications: Known hypersensitivity/allergy, max prescribed to dose, inability for the patient to self-administer medication.
- Adverse Effects: Hyperglycimia, anxiety, hypertension, headache, nausea, vomiting, throat irritation, hypokalemia, tremors, dry mouth, dyspepsia, sinus,

Ensure proper delivery techniques and reassessment after 5 minutes.
CPAP Administration: Limit pressure settings and reassess patient continuously.