HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 206.02 REVISED 11-2010_Assisting EMS Providers in Transport206.02 — Assisting EMS Providers in Patient Transport
Effective. 5/11/2004
Revised: 11/5/2010
Replaces: UOG 205.08 1 "�
I. Guiding PhilosophX
As a registered First Responder Organization (FRO), the department cannot legally
provide patient transport services. But within established parameters, we can assist licensed EMS
transport providers, so that patients may be given the care that they need.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define the parameters by which BFR personnel may
provide patient transport assistance to licensed EMS providers.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to:
A. Detail assistance available to EMS providers during transport.
B. Discuss managing on -scene conflicts concerning assistance needed during the
transport phase.
C. Outline the procedure for retrieval of personnel from the hospital.
IV. Definitions
A. BEMS — acronym for Beaumont Emergency Medical Services.
B. First Responder Organization (FRO) — as per rule 157.14(a), a FRO is a group
or association of certified emergency medical services personnel that works in
cooperation with a licensed emergency medical services provider to:
a. Routinely respond to emergency situations,
b. Utilize employees, and/or members who are emergency medical service
(EMS) certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services,
c. Provide on -scene patient care to the ill and injured and does not transport
patients.
C. MSAG — acronym for Medical Services Advisory Group, a standing department
committee.
D. Private EMS Providers — any EMS provider that is not owned by the City of
Beaumont.
E. TDSHS — acronym for Texas Department of State Health Services.
V. Transport Assistance for BEMS & Private EMS Providers
A. All requests for transport assistance will be routed through the Incident
Commander.
B. When assigned by the Incident Commander, BFR personnel shall assist EMS
providers as provided for in this policy.
C. Transport assistance for BEMS may include serving as an attendant in the patient
compartment or driving the BEMS unit to the hospital.
D. Transportation assistance for private EMS providers may only include serving as
an attendant in the patient compartment. BFR personnel are not covered by
private provider's insurance and WILL NOT drive private ambulances.
E. Regardless of an individual's TDSHS level of certification, he/she MAY NOT
exceed the scope of the treatment protocols approved for the department by the
Medical Director while on duty.
VI. Managing On -Scene Conflicts over Transport Assistance
A. If there is a dispute about the level of assistance needed by EMS, the Incident
Commander will approve the request and allocate the resources to provide
assistance.
B. The Incident Commander will follow up with a written report (via email) to
his/her chain of command (all that apply -Captain, District Chief, Deputy Chief,
Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief). The report will describe the conflict that
occurred and include the event number for reference.
C. The Assistant Chief will coordinate follow-up on the occurrence. He/she may
consult with the chain of command and/or the MSAG for assistance.
VII. Retrieving Personnel from the Hospital
A. The engine or rescue and remaining member(s) will follow the ambulance to the
hospital to retrieve personnel.
B. If an engine company is reduced to two (2) members, the engine will be OUT OF
SERVICE for fire responses.
C. Any BFRS unit staffed with at least two (2) persons will be IN SERVICE for
medical calls while in transit to the hospital.
1. When going enroute to the hospital, the Officer -in -charge (Captain for
Engines; Driver/Operator for Rescues) will communicate status to
dispatch. (Example: "Engine 3 enroute to St. E to pick up a man.")
2. He/she will then turn to and monitor BFR Main.
3. If dispatched to al medical call while enroute to the hospital, the Officer -
in -charge will:
a. Respond as directed by the Dispatcher.
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b. Provide the Dispatcher with an exception report (why they are
unable to follow the directive). Valid reasons for providing an
exception report may include, but are not limited to:
1. Unit is already out of service at the hospital.
2. Unit will have an extended response time due to their
location at the time of dispatch.
4. If an exception report is provided, the Dispatcher will assess the report
and direct the unit to either respond of stand down as necessary. The
officer in charge will follow the Dispatcher's directive.
D. No BFRS engine or rescue will be in service for emergency response while
staffed with one (1) person.
E. If the BEMS Supervisor assists in transport and his/her vehicle is left on scene,
the supervisor's vehicle may be treated as an ambulance and delivered to the
appropriate hospital by the BFR crew, following the guidelines stated above.
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