2009-2010 Protocol Rollout

Protocols 2010 Edition

1. Philosophy

2. Expectations

3. Format

4. Adult Reference Pages

5. Adult Cardiac

6. Adult General

7. Pediatric Reference

Protocols 2010 Edition

8. Pediatric Cardiac

9. Pediatric General

10.Appendices

Philosophy

• Goals– To establish minimum expectations for

appropriate patient care– To relieve pain and suffering, improve patient

outcomes and do no harm– To ensure a structure of accountability for

operational medical directors, facilities, agencies and providers

Philosophy

• Protocols are derived from a variety of sources

• Final decision rests with the OMD committee– “In situations where an approved medical

protocol conflicts with other recognized care standards, the medical provider shall adhere to the Tidewater EMS Regional Medical Protocol.”

Philosophy

• Protocols are designed to be used in conjunction with each other- it is acceptable to use more than one protocol at a time.

Expectations

• Providers will maintain a working knowledge of the protocols

• Each patient should have a thorough assessment performed

• BLS providers should request ALS assistance if any deficiencies are found on the initial assessment

Expectations

• ALS providers may request additional ALS assistance for critical patients

• Make early contact with receiving facilities– If providers are truly unable to make contact,

they are permitted to perform LIFE SAVING PROCEDURES as standing orders

• DO NOT EXCEED SCOPE OF PRACTICE• NOTIFY AGENCY AND TEMS

Format

• Flowcharts were getting too wordy and too hard to see in pocket guides

• Split each protocol into two – Flowchart– Information page

• Added a Warnings and Alerts section– The important stuff that will get you into

trouble

Reference Pages

• Burn Chart

• Dopamine drip chart

• Magnesium sulfate drip chart

• Epinephrine drip chart

• Glascow Coma Scale

• Adult Trauma Transport Criteria

• Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale

Airway / Oxygenation/ Ventilation

• Enhanced providers may still use laryngoscope and Magill forceps to relieve airway obstruction

• Indications for plural decompression (serious signs/symptoms of tension pneumothorax)– Respiratory distress with cyanosis– Loss of radial pulse (hypotension)– Decreased level of conciousness

Airway / Oxygenation/ Ventilation

• In the 2010 edition of the protocols, EMT-Intermediate will have standing orders for:– Plueral decompression– Nasal intubation– Post-intubation sedation

Adult Cardiac Protocols

• No major Changes

• Consistent with ACLS

• Information added about cardiac arrest in dialysis patients– More detailed information in Dialysis/Renal

Failure protocol

Adult Cardiac Protocols

1. Adult Emergency Cardiac Care

2. Adult Asytole and Pulseless Electrical Activity

3. Adult Bradycardia

4. Adult Tachycardia – Narrow Complex

5. Adult Tachycardia – Wide Complex

Adult Cardiac Protocols

6. Adult Ventricular Fibrillation and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia

7. ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation)

– Name changed from post resuscitation– Moving to the adult cardiac section

8. Termination of Resuscitation

Termination of Resuscitation

• Reworded to clarify– Allows EMS providers to stop resuscitation in

cases where CPR started inappropriately

• Once any ALS procedure is initiated, provider must contact medical control for an order to cease resuscitation efforts

Allergic/Anaphylactic Reaction

• In the 2010 edition, EMT-Intermediate may administer Solu-medrol on standing orders if patient is hemodynamically unstable or in respiratory distress

• Epinephrine will be given IM instead of SQ with maximum dose of 0.5mg

• Physician may order IV 1:10,000 epinephrine in severe cases

Altered Mental Status

• Need to assess patient to determine cause of altered mental status

• No more “coma cocktail”

Breathing Difficulty

• Added Nitroglycerin Paste ONLY when using CPAP– Providers will apply one inch of paste to

patient’s chest and cover with occlusive dressing

– WEAR GLOVES when handling paste– Paste onset: at least 30 minutes so SL NTG

should be given every 3-5 minutes

Burns

• Morphine dose changed to 2 mg– Waiting 5 minutes between doses removed

• Allows EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic to give up to 10 mg morphine on standing orders

• Can call medical control for more if needed

Cerebral Vascular Accident

• Minor changes to implement the hyper/hypoglycemia protocol if the blood sugar is <60 mg/dL or >500 mg/dL

Chemical Exposure

• New name for the poisoning protocol

• Simplified from 6 pages into 1 page

• Focuses on chemical exposures that can be treated by EMS providers

• If it cannot be treated by EMS providers, decontaminate and transport while providing supportive care

Chest Pain/AMI

• Nitroglycerin paste added– Only if pain persists after 3 SL NTG and

morphine

Combative Patient

• Added Ativan– Should be given with Haldol

• In the 2010 edition EMT-Paramedics have standing orders for Haldol and Ativan

• In the 2010 edition EMT-Intermediates and EMT-Paramedics may administer Benadryl on standing orders for dystonic reactions

Dialysis/Renal Failure

• New protocol

• EMT-Intermediates and EMT-Paramedics have standing orders for calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate for dialysis patients in cardiac arrest– Physician order if not in arrest– ALWAYS FLUSH thoroughly (40ml) between

calcium and sodium to prevent precipitation

Dialysis/Renal Failure

• Also includes instructions for bleeding shunt/fistula– Firm fingertip pressure (may have to hold for

20+ minutes)– Pressure bandages do not work– Tourniquet above fistula site if life threatening

bleed

Commercially Available Tourniquets

Drowning/Near Drowning

• ALL patients involved in a submersion incident should be encouraged to accept transport- they are at high risk for secondary drowning (development of life-threatening pulmonary edema)

• NG/OG tubes are not appropriate for non-intubated patients

Electrical/Lightning Injuries

• Not all lightning strike victims need to be transported to a Trauma Center

Extraordinary Measures

• Not just for trauma anymore!

• No other major changes

Hyper/Hypoglycemia

• New protocol

• Emphasizes patient must be conscious and able to swallow to receive oral glucose

• Thiamine ONLY if patient is known alcoholic or malnourished

• 250 ml NS bolus for hyperglycemic patients- may repeat up to 1000 ml total

Hypothermia

• No major changes

Nausea/Vomiting

• New protocol

• Zofran replacing Phenergan in the drug box– Dose is 4 mg slow IV push– EMT-Intermediates and EMT-Paramedics

have standing orders– Should not be given with Amiodorone or

Haldol

OB/GYN Pregnancy/Vaginal Bleeding

• Renamed since not all vaginal bleeding is related to pregnancy

• Added transport guidelines for high-risk maternity patients– Not new- has been a part of appendix H for

multiple years– May not apply to the rural agencies

OB/GYN Pregnancy/(Pre-) Eclampsia

• Eclampsia may occur post delivery

• The order in which medications are given has changed– Ativan given first to stop current seizure– Magnesium Sulfate given to prevent further

seizures

Pain Management / Non-Cardiac

• Morphine dose changed to 2 mg– Removed the 5 minute wait time between

doses

• May implement Nausea/Vomiting protocol as needed

RSI

• This is an agency specific protocol

Rehabilitation

• Clarification of mixing sports drinks– Single serve taken at normal strength– Powdered dry mixes are mixed at half-

strength, due to ice displacing the water

• Changes made in an effort to be consistent with current NFPA guidelines

• Hyperthermia protocol may be needed

Seizures

• Ativan is the first drug of choice for seizures– Dose is 2 MG IV/IM

• Works best when given IV• Do not give Ativan rectally- use Valium

instead– Not harmful just ineffective when given

• IO is the ABSOLUTE last resort to give medications for seizures

Shock/Non-Traumatic

• New Protocol• Pressors for vasogenic or cardiogenic

shock- Physician Order Only– Dopamine contraindicated for hypovolemic

patients

• Tourniquets are coming back– Not the same as IV tourniquets– Commercially available tourniquets (examples

on next slide)

Commercially Available Tourniquets

Spinal Immobilization

• No longer in “Trauma” section• Medical patients may need spinal

immobilization as well• Protocol as listed needed clarification in

some areas– Age extreme patients– Unknown

• If unable to explain how patient ended up on the floor, then IMMOBILIZE!

Spinal Immobilization(Reliable Patient)

• Calm

• Cooperative

• Not impaired by drugs, medications, alcohol or existing medical conditions

• Awake, alert and oriented to person, place, time and event

• Without any distracting injuries

Spinal Immobilization Criteria• Signs and Symptoms of possible Spinal Cord

Injury– Extreme pain or pressure in head, neck or back– Tingling or loss of sensation in hand, fingers, feet

or toes– Partial or complete loss of control over any part

of the body– Urinary or bowel urgency, incontinence or

retention– Difficulty with balance and walking

Spinal Immobilization Criteria

• Signs and Symptoms of possible Spinal Cord Injury continued– Abnormal band like sensations in the thorax-

pain, pressure– Impaired breathing after injury– Unusual lumps on the head or spine

Spinal Immobilization Criteria

• The EMS provider may conclude that a spinal cord injury is unlikely if they do not exhibit any S and S listed and meet the following criteria– Unaltered mental status– No neurological deficits– No intoxication from alcohol, drugs or

medications– No other painful distracting injuries

Spinal Immobilization Criteria

• Distracting injuries

• Reliable patient

• Special needs patients

• Age extremes– Pediatrics– Geriatrics

• Kyphosis

Toxicological Emergencies

• New name for overdose

• Focuses on toxicological emergencies that EMS can treat

• Does not cover every possible drug/medication

• Narcan is used to treat respiratory depression– Not given just because pt is unconscious

Trauma: Crush Syndrome

• No major changes

• Remember this protocol exists and review it

Trauma

• Simplified

• Removed morphine

• May implement Pain Management: Non-Cardiac protocol as needed

• Includes trauma transport criteria

Vascular Access

• Now includes adult IOs

• Includes lidocaine dose/information for IOs– Standing order 20-40 mg for adults– Standing order for 0.5 mg/kg for pediatric

• 14 gauge needle is for needle decompression only

• Technician discretion for IV or Saline lock– IV is required for administration of D50

Pediatric Reference

• Charts for normal vital signs by age

• Charts for average weight, ETT size

• APGAR Chart

• Burn Chart

• Wong Baker FACES pain rating scale

• Pediatric Trauma Transport Criteria

Pediatric Trauma Transport Criteria

• No major changes

• Remember CHKD is not a trauma center

• When in doubt, contact either CHKD or SNGH for transport decision

Asystole/PEA

• No atropine

• “A BLS airway is an adequate airway. A brief attempt at an advanced airway by an experienced provider is appropriate.”

Bradycardia

• Compressions if HR <60 with poor perfusion despite oxygenation and ventilation

• Epinephrine is the drug of choice for pediatric bradycardia

• Pacing– No guidelines in PALS or PEPP– OMDs agree rate of 100 is reasonable

Pediatric Tachycardia- Narrow Complex

• Assessment is key– Distinguish ST vs SVT

• Stable SVT– Adenosine by physician order only– Try vagal maneuvers first

• Ice to face• Blow on thumb• Arm on abdomen• No ocular pressure or carotid massage

Pediatric Tachycardia- Narrow Complex

• Unstable SVT– Cardiovert ASAP– Vagal Maneuvers are appropriate prior to the

administration of adenosine– Adenosine is a physician order

Pediatric Tachycardia- Wide Complex

• No major changes

V-Fib/Pulseless V-Tach

• AEDs– Pediatric AEDs preferred for children 1-8– No recommendation for/against using AEDs

on infants– Pads should not touch- use pediatric pads or

front-back placement• Pediatric pads may or may not attenuate- check

with manufacturer

Pediatric Airway/Oxygenation/Ventilation

– New protocol– Includes parts of pediatric airway obstruction– No nasal intubations– Enhanced are still allowed to use

laryngoscope and Magill forceps for obstruction

– BLS airway

Pediatric Allergic/Anaphylactic Reaction

• New Protocol• Similar to the adult protocol• Administer epinephrine IM (preferred

method), not SQ– Physician may order epinephrine IV in severe

anaphylaxis– IV epinephrine should be 1:10,000 not

1:1,000

• Solumedrol is not routinely indicated for pediatrics- online medical control may order

Pediatric Altered Mental Status

• Focus is on assessment to determine a likely cause of the altered mental status

• CVA (stroke) is possible in children with sickle cell disease

Pediatric Breathing Difficulty

• New name for Pediatric Respiratory Distress

• Includes treatment for croup, epiglottitis (from the old Pediatric Airway Obstruction protocol)

Pediatric Breathing Difficulty

• Epiglottitis– If patient has stridor, drooling and forward

posture, let him/her maintain position of comfort and maintain own airway

• Croup– Nebulized epinephrine– Not a new treatment but providers forget it is

there

Pediatric Burns

• New Protocol

• Mirrors the Adult Burns Protocol

• Key Point: CHKD can handle burn patients as long as there is no airway involvement

• If you need guidance for destination contact SNGH or CHKD

Care of the Newly Born

• Umbilical vein cannulation should not be routinely used

• Check blood sugar if premature, distressed or mom is a diabetic

• Do not give Narcan to newborns, even if mom is a narcotics user– Can precipitate withdrawal seizures– Respiratory depression is easier to handle

than the seizures

Care of the Newly Born

• Keep them warm– Mottling, acrocyanosis (blue hands/feet) are

both signs of hypothermia in newborns

Pediatric Hyper/Hypoglycemia

• New protocol

• Includes instructions on how to mix D10 and D25

• Hypoglycemia is life-threatening in children and must be corrected ASAP– Dextrose can be administered rectally with a

physician order

Pediatric Hyper/Hypoglycemia

• Hyperglycemia– Bolus only if assessment reveals signs of

dehydration• Dry mucous membranes• Tachycardia

Pediatric Nausea/Vomiting

• New protocol

• Zofran– Pediatric dose: 0.15 mg/kg IV– May be repeated once after 20 minutes

(standing order)– Maximum dose is 8 mg

• Higher than the adult dose because children have a faster metabolism

Pediatric Pain Management

• Should be considered for patients with:– Fractures– Sickle cell crisis– Burns – Cancer

• Can be used for other painful conditions with a physician order– Not usually appropriate for abdominal pain

Pediatric Pain Management

• Use Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale with younger children

• Morphine– Dose 0.1 mg/kg– Standing order only for isolated extremity

injuries– Implement Pediatric Nausea/Vomiting

protocol as needed

Pediatric Seizures

• Rectal Valium (diazepam)– O.4 mg/kg (rectal dose)

• Ativan (lorazepam)– Pediatric dose: 0.1 mg/kg maximum 2 mg– SLOW IV administration- risk of apnea if

pushed too quickly– DO NOT administer rectally- not harmful but is

ineffective

Pediatric Seizures

• Patients must be on cardiac, SpO2 monitors when benzodiazepines are administered

• Order of treatment– Rectal Valium first for younger children and/or

difficult IV– Ativan IV for older children and/or easier IV– Ativan also may be given IM– Do not start an IO just to give an anti-epileptic

Appendices

• The Appendix section contains the following:– A. Related Policies and Procedures– B. Regional Drug and IV Box Policy– C. Special Resources– D. Patient Restraint– E. DDNR – F. Policy for Ambulance Restocking– G. Tidewater Regional Ambulance Diversion Policy

Appendices

– F. Policy for Ambulance Restocking– G. Tidewater Regional Ambulance Diversion

Policy– H. Ambulance Patient Destination Policy– I. Tidewater Regional Trauma Plan– J. Specialty Protocols– K. Medications

CBRNE

1. CBRNE- Biological

2. CBRNE- Blistering Agents

3. CBRNE- Cyanide

4. CBRNE- Choking Agent

5. CBRNE- Nerve Agentsa. Adult

b. Pediatric

6. CBRNE- Nuclear

7. CBRNE- Riot Control Agents

8. CBRNE- RDD

New Medications

• Ativan (Lorazepam)– A potent benzodiazepine anticonvulsant for

seizures and seizures proximal to chemical exposure

– Seizures, Chemical Exposure, Combative Patient

New Medications

• Nitroglycerin TD paste– A potent vasodilator for decreased oxygen

demand in chest pain, and fluid shifting in CHF

– Chest Pain, AMI, ACS, Breathing Difficulty (CHF)

New Medications

• Zofran (Ondansetron)– A seratonin antagonist antiemetic for nausea

and vomiting

– Nausea/Vomiting