EMS Field Treatment Guidelines
Introduction
The use or possession of the protocol book does not exempt field personnel from the responsibility to know the information in the San Mateo County Policy and Procedures Manual. This protocol book does not replace the Policy and Procedures Manual and is provided as a tool for their reference.
Routine Medical Care
A group of standard assessments and treatments, including but not limited to airway, breathing and circulation, and the use of routine monitoring devices. See Routine Medical Care (G01) under General Care.
Care Outside of Protocol Guidelines
No set of protocols can cover all patient problems. We encourage the use of Base Physician contact in such events.
Universal Precautions
Disease agents may be present in any body substance or fluid, and the presence of disease agents may or may not be known. Clinically healthy individuals may carry and be capable of transmitting these agents. Precautions with all patients shall include routine use of appropriate barrier precautions to prevent skin and mucous-membrane exposure when contact with blood or other body fluids is anticipated. Refer to Routine Medical Care (G01) for more information.
Prehospital personnel who are exposed to potentially infectious materials should immediately follow the reporting procedures set up by their agency.
Hospital emergency departments have specific requirements for managing exposure to body substances experienced by prehospital care personnel. Emergency departments are expected to actively assist prehospital personnel in evaluating risk and recommending and/or providing appropriate prophylactic care when needed. Emergency responders are expected to identify the source patient to the hospital, and to comply with emergency department procedures (e.g. Royce log) when reporting potential exposure to infectious materials.
Prophylactic care recommendations for health care workers are found in the CDC May 23, 2018 updated U.S. Public Health Service guidelines for the Management of Occupational Exposures to HIV and Recommendation for Post Exposure Prophylaxis. Emergency departments are expected to follow these guidelines when managing prehospital exposure to potentially infectious substances.
Approved Abbreviations - 4/1/20
Treatment Guidelines
| Approved Abbreviations - 4/1/20 |
| 2020 Field Treatment Guidelines - Index |
Section 1 – General Treatment Protocols
| G00 - Guide to Protocol Utilization |
| G01 - Routine Medical Care |
| G02 - End of Life |
| G03 - Ventricular Assist Devices |
| G04 - MCI Triage |
Section 2 – Adult Cardiac Arrest – Non-traumatic Treatment Protocols
Section 3 – Adult Cardiac Dysrhthmia Treatment Protocols
| CD 01 - Bradycardia (Symptomatic) |
| CD02 - Narrow Complex Tachycardia |
| CD03 - Wide Complex Tachycardia |
Section 4 – Adult Respiratory Distress Treatment Protocols
Section 5 – Adult Environment Treatment Protocols
| E04 - Stings and Venomous Bites |
| E03 - Hypothermia and Cold Injury |
| E02 - Hyperthermia |
| E01 - Electrocution |
Section 6 – Adult Toxic Exposure Treatment Protocols
| X01 - Hazmat Exposure and Skin Exposure |
| X02 - Alcohol Intoxication |
| X03 - Overdose and Poisoning and Ingestion |
| X04 - Dystonic Reaction |
| X05 - Agitated Delirium |
Section 7 – Adult Behavioral Treatment Protocols
| B01 - Behaviorial and Psychiatric Crisis |
Section 8 – Adult Medical Treatment Protocols
Section 9 – Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Treatment Protocols
| PC01 - Cardiac Arrest |
| PC02 - Aystole and PEA |
| PC03 - V-Fib and Pulseless V-Tach |
| PC04 - Post Resuscitation |
| PC05 - Obvious Death |
Section 10 – Pediatric Cardiac Dysrhythmia Treatment Protocols
| PD01 - Bradycardia |
| PD02 - Tachycardia (Stable) |
| PC03 - Tachycardia (Unstable) |
Section 11 – Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Respiratory
Section 12 – Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Environmental
| PE01 - Electrocution |
| PE02 - Hyperthermia |
| PE03 - Hypothermia/Cold Injury |
| PE04 - Stings/Envonomations |
Section 13 – Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Toxic Exposure
| PX01 - Hazmat Exposure/Skin Exposure |
| PX02 - Alcohol Inxotication |
| PX03 - Overdose/Poisoning/Ingestion |
| PX04 - Dystonic Reaction |
| PX05 - Agitated Delirium |
Section 14 - Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Behavioral
| PB01 - Behavioral/Psychiatric Crisis |
Section 15 - Pediatric Treatment Protocols – Medical
Section 16 – Trauma Treatment Protocols
| T01 - Trauma Triage |
| T02 - Extremity Trauma |
| T03 - Head Trauma |
| T04 - Multi-System Trauma |
| T05 - Traumatic Arrest |
| T06 - Burns |
Section 17 – Field Procedures
Reference/Drug Lists
| Adult Drug Reference - 7/2020 |
| Pediatric Drug Reference - 7/2020 |
| Approved Abbreviations - 4/1/20 |
Epidemic/Pandemic Medical Treatment Protocols
| EP01 - Assess and Refer |
Mobile App
Video Laryngoscopy Trial Survey
Thank you to all who participated in the San Mateo County EMS airway equipment trial. The EMS Agency is seeking your feedback about the laryngoscopes and blades. Please complete the brief evaluation linked here after use of either AirTraq or UEScope.
Field Feedback Form
Field providers: use the form below to submit policy, procedure and/or protocol feedback.
Click here to open the form in a separate browser window.