|
Medical Direction broadly refers to the physician oversight of EMS medical care activities performed by EMTs and Paramedics. EMTs and Paramedics function as an "extension" of the physician and while caring for patients in the field, the EMTs and Paramedics act as the eyes and ears of the physician to provide patients a very high level of medical care in remote locations. Whether on the side of the road at a motor vehicle crash or in the home of a patient experiencing a heart-attack, the paramedics bring life saving care to the patient and a physician is just a telephone or radio transmission away if additional consultation is necessary.
When paramedics consult the Emergency Department physician for medical orders or specific direction by telephone or radio the interaction is called "online medical control."
Union EMS Paramedics administer advanced life support measures with much autonomy through the use of medical protocols and standing orders. These medical protocols and standing orders are an example of another form of medical oversight called "offline medical control." The protocols and standing orders are developed in a coordinated effort among the local medical community, EMS paramedic and training staff, and the local EMS Medical Director.
Protocols are guidelines that the paramedics follow while evaluating and treating the most commonly encountered emergencies. Protocols set the local standards of care for specific conditions.
Standing Orders are specific medical orders which permit paramedics to start IV lines, administer emergency medications, and perform advanced medical procedures under a pre-determined set of guidelines as determined by the Medical Director for specific situations.
|
