POLICY STATEMENT:

The EMS Systems have developed and implemented field treatment protocols which specifically require field draw blood specimens to insure efficiency and proper expediency in emergency patient care.

GOAL/PURPOSE:

To assure all agency participants of the EMS Systems submit a standardized set of field draw blood specimens from their patients to the receiving hospital as required by the BroMenn/St. Joseph EMS Systems Field Treatment Protocols.

POLICY/PROCEDURE:

A. Field treatment protocols which require the EMT-Intermediate, EMT-Paramedic, or a Pre-hospital RN to perform venipuncture and obtain field draw blood specimens are as follows:

B. A standardized set of field draw blood specimens shall be obtained on all patients as indicated by protocol and submitted to the receiving hospital's nursing staff for laboratory analysis. The standardized set of blood specimens are as follows:

C. Each blood specimen tube must have the following information documented on the label:

D. Each blood specimen tube must be full. The tube milliliter size as listed in this policy is the minimal (ml.) size accepted by the hospitals. Tubes exceeding the minimal amount are also accepted.

E. The five blood specimen tubes must be placed in a container or plastic bag to prevent leakage during transport of the patient to the receiving hospital. Leakage of the specimen tube or blood contamination on the outside of the specimen tube shall result in disposal.

F. Any variation of this policy shall be reported to the respective EMS System Coordinator by written documentation utilizing an EMS Systems Incident Report.