These guidelines were adapted from the Wisconsin Statewide Protocols which were based on the National Association of State EMS Officials-National Model Clinical Guidelines and are aligned with the metrics developed through the EMS Compass Project and the National EMS Quality Alliance.
These Clinical Guidelines are intended to help Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems ensure a more standardized approach to the practice of patient care and are to be used in conjunction with the DHS-approved Wisconsin EMS Scope of Practice. In the event of an error in this clinical guideline document, the Wisconsin EMS Scope of Practice is the arbiter and defines the scope of care at the EMS Provider (Agency) and Professional (Individual) levels.
EMS provider skills, equipment or medications, based on the DHS-approved Wisconsin EMS Scope of Practice and authorized for use by the service EMS medical director, are located in the Patient Management and Notes and Education Pearls sections and highlighted in an [italicized bracket]. Skill listed without a [Scope] are applicable to all levels with the following parameters.
- These protocols are written as Regional Protocols.
- Individual EMS services operational plan delineates the skills and medications for that service.
- Individual EMS practitioners are responsible for understanding their individual scope of practice and providing care within that scope.
- EMR scope is set by equipment carried by the service as a whole, not necessarily carried by every responder.
- [PARA] (Primarily Inter-Facility): Delineates Medication/Skill within Paramedic scope but focus of intervention is Inter-Facility
Universal Care and Poisoning/Overdose Universal Care guidelines are included to reduce the need for extensive reiteration of basic assessment and other considerations in every guideline. Assessment skills listed in Universal Care Guidelines include Scope Delineations for each skill, remaining protocols do NOT include Scope delineation, refer to Universal Protocol
Intravenous Fluid Boluses are usually written 20mL/kg as to apply to pediatrics and adults. It recognized that for most adults such volumes will not be completed prior to arrival at the emergency department. Completion of a 20mL/kg bolus is NOT required prior to administering other interventions as clinically indicated.