Protocols

IMPORTANT NOTICE

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.

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.

State Protocols

Kentucky State Protocols (June 2017 - Full Document)

Kentucky State Protocols Update Packet (September 2015 Updates Only)

Kentucky State Protocols Update Packet (December 2016 Updates Only)

Kentucky State Protocols Update Packet (June 2017 Updates Only)

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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.

Opting Out of State Protocols

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 and upload the above referenced document and a copy of the protocols.

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.