State Protocols
THERE IS NO ACTION REQUIRED OF AGENCIES CURRENTLY USING THE KY STATE EMS PROTOCOLS.
THE ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE IS ADOPTED, AND CAN BE USED IMMEDIATELY.
Kentucky State Protocols April 2020 - Full Document (with COVID-19 Cardiac Arrest
Guidance Added)
Protocol Update Log
Kentucky State Protocols April 2018 - Full Document [13MB]
Protocol Synopsis
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Adoption of State Protocols
Licensed Ambulance agencies wishing to adopt the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols
should choose one of the following based upon their wishes to adopt the Kentucky State
EMS Protocols completely, or with omissions.
Any licensed ground or air EMS agency in Kentucky that wishes to make ANY amendments
to the agency's KBEMS approved medical protocol must receive written approval from
the office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services PRIOR to implementation
of any change.
Complete Adoption
If an agency would like to adopt the entire state protocols without changes, complete
the following steps for approval:
- A letter should be drafted on agency letterhead, stating the desire to adopt the Kentucky
State Protocols completely.
- This letter needs to be signed by the Agency Director and Medical Director
- In KEMSIS, complete the Medical Protocol Application and upload the above referenced
document.
Partial Adoption of State Protocols with Modifications
Licensed Ambulance agencies wishing to "opt-out" of certain portions of the approved
Kentucky State EMS Protocol, but wish to implement all other portions shall complete
the following steps:
- A letter should be drafted on agency letterhead, stating the desire to opt out of
the specific omissions requested from the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols.
- This letter needs to be signed by the Agency Director and Medical Director.
- In KEMSIS, complete the Medical Protocol Application, citing the page number and addition
and/or exclusions, and upload the following documents within the application:
- A copy of the letter referenced above.
- A copy of the protocols as requested.
Agency Specific Protocols
Licensed Ambulance agencies wishing to use agency specific protocols in lieu of the
approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols shall complete the following steps:
- A letter should be drafted on agency letterhead, stating the desire to use agency
specific protocols instead of the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols.
- This letter needs to be signed by the Agency Director and Medical Director.
- In KEMSIS, complete the Medical Protocol Application and upload the above referenced
document along with a copy of the protocols.
Review of agency specific protocols may take up to four months.
Restricted Protocols
If an agency wishes to adopt restricted protocols, a specific written request for
authorization to utilize the protocol must be submitted and approved prior to implementation.
This request needs to include signatures of the Service Director and the Medical Director.
Training
Proper training of your agency's protocols is paramount. Regardless of the type of
protocols which are selected, proper education and training must be provided for all
staff that will be utilizing the protocols. The curriculum for this needs to be developed
locally by the agency training department in conjunction with the agency medical director.
Proper documentation of initial training and education, as well as ongoing training
and education should be maintained by the agency training department.
Patient Destination Guidance
