Where to read up on local protocol?

[stemi]

Hi everyone, I was just wondering where I should be looking to read up on county and state specific protocol's for an EMT-B like myself?

I am in Santa Clara county in CA.

Thanks!

 

[JPINFV]

[LMGTFY: "Santa Clara County EMS"]

California runs a very regionalized system with the protocols set by the "Local EMS Agencies" (LEMSA). Most LEMSAs are counties, thus they are normally referred to as "County EMS" (i.e. "Santa Clara County EMS"), but there are a handful of counties that have joined together.

Santa Clara County EMS treatment protocols can be found here:
http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/e...0VgnVCM10000048dc4a92____&cpsextcurrchannel=1

Santa Clara County policies (i.e. DNRs, facility listings, etc) can be found here:
http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/e..., Protocols and Plans/Prehospital Care Manual

 

[Hate]

I know that some agencies don't make agency protocol public for security reasons.

 

[Handsome Robb]

I know that some agencies don't make agency protocol public for security reasons.

I'm not sure I can see why making protocols public would be a security risk...

 

[mycrofft]

Risks their financial security.
NHTSA makes recommendations; local EMSA's adopt, adapt and enforce them; counties and services districts may add or subtract as long as they don't break the EMSA standards; private companies will have their internal protocols which have to be IAW the above but may also include business-related practices.
Private companies may conceal their protocols due to fear of being "gamed" by service abusers, or because they are embarrassed about some of their dirty laundry. If they are secret from the line workers as well, then get out, you are being set up.

 

[Akulahawk]

Hi everyone, I was just wondering where I should be looking to read up on county and state specific protocol's for an EMT-B like myself?

I am in Santa Clara county in CA.

Thanks!

I used to work in Santa Clara County. They used to not differentiate out BLS and ALS care except in that "properly accredited" individuals could perform advanced level care outlined in the manual. That meant that all providers were quite literally "on the same page" with clinical care and that all providers had to remember what they were accredited to do. Now they at least separate BLS and ALS actions so that it is a bit more obvious (not like it wasn't before, but I digress).

In any event, you find the protocol manual here: http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/ems/agencychp?path=%2Fv7%2FEmergency%20Medical%20Services%20(DEP)%2FManuals%2C%20Protocols%20and%20Plans%2FPrehospital%20Care%20Manual
Clincal Care is section VII.

 

[stemi]

Thanks everyone! Great help.