Policy and Procedure Manual - Northern California Emergency ...

EMS AIRCRAFT MODULE EMS Aircraft Requests and Field Operations # 104
a. Patient condition deteriorates
b. Traffic conditions are impassable
c. Ground unit develops mechanical failure, or
d. Factors exist that will cause a delay or potentially negative outcome in patient transport.
e. In all instances, consideration should be given to possible ground transport to a closer facility.
6. When a hospital-operated ambulance is transporting a trauma patient (meets Nor-Cal EMS Trauma
Triage Criteria) to a Trauma Center per the Patient Destination policy, an ambulance may utilize a
helipad at a RF without the patient receiving a medical screening exam (MSE), for transport to a
more distant Trauma Center.
a. If a physician comes out to meet the patient at the helipad, s/he is then obligated to stabilize and
transfer out per the requirements listed in the Interfacility Transfer policy in the Facility
Requirements Module.
b. If, however, while at the helipad, the pts. condition deteriorates, the hospital at which the helipad
is located shall provide another MSE and stabilizing treatment within its capacity if requested by
the transporting personnel.
CANCELLING AN EMS AIRCRAFT REQUEST
1. Cancellation of EMS Aircraft may occur due to:
a. Pilot Judgment:
‣ The pilot shall immediately notify the Communications Center/P.A. Dispatch Center of the
SPECIFIC reason(s) for the response cancellation (e.g., weather enroute, weather at scene,
etc.).
b. Lack of emergency medical need:
‣ Shall be made by the Paramedic, EMT-I, or recognized First Responder working within the
EMS system who cancels the assigned EMS Aircraft because of lack of medical need, e.g.,
there are no patients at scene or when all patients at the scene are declining transportation
and have signed appropriate EMS Form.
‣ Shall be determined by either a Ground Response Unit or Ambulance on scene that the
patient(s) condition does not meet the EMS Aircraft Utilization Policy; personnel shall be ON
SCENE and have knowledge of the patient’s medical condition.
c. Other conditions at scene. If an ALS unit is not on scene, the IC may cancel any responding
EMS aircraft under the following conditions:
‣ When a landing zone cannot be secured – alternate landing zones should be considered.
‣ When landing condition(s) are unsafe.
2. The individual coordinating the EMS response may cancel responding EMS aircraft(s), only with the
concurrence of an ALS provider on scene or a report to the ALS responding unit and following
notification to the IC or designee, when:
a. No ALS intervention is required per the senior medical person on scene.
b. The level of patient care on scene is adequate and the patient would not benefit from the EMS
aircraft; patient transport does not meet the clinical AND time criteria listed in the EMS Aircraft
Utilization policy.
MULTICASUALTY RESPONSES:
EMS aircraft responding to multi-casualty incidents shall follow guidelines specified in the Nor-Cal EMS
Multi-Casualty Incident policy.
Originated: January 1, 2006 Last Revision: September 14, 2007 Page: 4 of 4