Many emergency medical services (EMS) 9-1-1 activations result in patients declining evaluation, treatment, or transport to the ED. Assessment of a patient’s decision-making capacity to refuse and taking appropriate actions based on that are critical elements of EMS practice. In a recently published manuscript, colleagues and I found that substantial variability exists among state protocols regarding patient refusal guidance. Few protocols address high-risk patients, provide strategies for persuasion, or include checklists for proper management. Standardizing and expanding protocols may enhance EMS care.
I was excited to contribute to this work, led by Joan & Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University medical student Rana Barghout, who completed this as part of her Area of Concentration. Other team members also contributed: Josh Lachs, William Haussner, David Hancock, Alyssa Elman, Emily Benton, Douglas Kupas, MD, NRP, FAEMS, FACEP, Ronald Strony MD FACEP, Dennis Rowe, Cory Olicker Henkel, Bess White, Phylise Banner, and Mark Lachs. Click here for the full article.
LinkedIn post here.