BLS protocols: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania utilizes common Basic Life Support protocols for all regions of Pennsylvania. This ensures consistency and limits confusion for personnel who may work in multiple EMS regions. BLS protocols are applicable to ALL levels of EMS personnel. All First Responders, EMTs, Paramedics and PHRNs as well as medical command physicians and service medical directors should be well versed in the BLS protocols. Personnel should also be familiar with the scope of practice of EMS personnel at not just their level but all levels.
The Commonwealth of Pa ALS protocols may be adopted by regional councils or may serve as a template for regional protocols. The EMMCO West Regional Medical Advisory Committee and Board of Directors has chosen to elaborate on the Commonwealth template to better guide the ALS practitioner with medications and procedures which may be optional at the state level but may have been or not been adopted at the regional level. The EMMCO West ALS protocols include some additional protocols and procedural guidelines.
The EMMCO West ALS Interfacility treatment protocols provide direction on the administration of approved infusions which may not be covered in the general ALS protocols.
The EMMCO West Regional ALS medication list includes those medications from the Commonwealth ALS medication list which are included in the Regional ALS protocols.
The Commonwealth ALS medication list includes all of the medications which may be administered by ALS personnel if those medications are included in regional protocol or if the medication is used in an interfacility transfer and the ALS service medical director has approved the use of the medication for an interfacility transfer and has trained the ALS personnel in the use of the medication.
Out of hospital DNR orders allow EMS personnel to honor the wishes of terminally ill patients.
September 13, 2021 Updates
Scope of Practice for EMS Providers
Scope of Practice CCT Providers
Scope of Practice Air Ambulance Services
Approved/Required Medications (51 Pa.B. 6216)
Current BLS Protocols:
Previous BLS Protocols:
- 2020 Statewide BLS Protocols
- 2017 Statewide BLS Protocols
- ED Bulletin for Protocol 261
- PA BLS Protocol 190 – Appendix A
- PA BLS Protocol 190 – Appendix B
- PA BLS Protocol 190 – Appendix C
Previous AEMT Protcols
PROTOCOLS
- EW Interfacility Protocols
- EMMCO West Interfacility Operational
- 2015 Air Ambulance Scope of Practice
- 2015 CCT Scope of Practice
Approved Medications / Medical Care Practice
2013 Protocols
Current ALS Protocols
Previous ALS Protocols:
- 2019 ALS Protocols
- 2025 CPAP/BiPAP Use
- 2032 Confirmation of Airway Placement
- 2033 Orotracheal Intubation
- 2034 Nasotracheal Intubation
- 2035 Combitube Insertion
- 2036 King Airway Insertion
- 2038 Endotracheal Tube Medication Administration
- 2041 Needle Cricothyrotomy
- 2052 ECG Monitoring
- 2055 Electrical Countershock
- 2056 Transcutaneous Pacing
- 2065 External Jugular IV Access
- 2067 Intraosseous IO Access
- 2070 Central Venous Lines-Access of Existing
- 2071 Sublingual/Oral Medication Administration
- 2072 Pulmonary Medication Administration
- 2074 Peripheral IV Access/Heparin or Saline Lock
- 2075 Intravenous/Intraosseaous Medication Admin.
CCT Information
- 2021 CCT Protocols
- Scope of Practice for Critical Care Transport (CCT) Providers
- 2019 Statewide Treatment CCT Protocols
- Approved CCT Medications
- Scope of Practice CCT
- Vehicle-Equipment CCT
Specialty Centers
- Primary Stroke Centers in PA (Updated 8/19)
- Stroke Center 45 minute drive time zone map
- STEMI- PCI Center 45 minute drive timezone map
- Trauma Destination Map (Hamot, Level II)
- Trauma Destination Map (St.E, Level II)
- Trauma Destination Map (Grove City Level 4)
- PA Interfacility Transfer Resource Guide
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| Facility | Trauma | STEMI | Stroke | 24/7 CT | 24/7 Neuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grove City Medical Center | Level IV | X | |||
| LECOM – Millcreek Community | Primary | ||||
| Meadville Medical Center | PCI | Primary | X | On call coverage | |
| Sharon Regional Health | PCI | Primary | X | Cleveland Clinic | |
| St. Vincent Hospital | PCI | Primary | X | Cleveland Clinic | |
| UPMC Hamot | Level II | PCI | Comprehensive | X | In house |
| UPMC Northwest | Primary | X | UPMC Presby |
| Adjacent Regional Facility | Trauma | STEMI | Stroke | 24/7 CT | 24/7 Neuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong Memorial Hospital | PCI | X | Telemedicine | ||
| Butler Memorial Hospital | PCI | Primary | X | ||
| Dubois – Penn Highlands | PCI | X | Telemedicine | ||
| Forbes Regional Hospital | Level II | PCI | Primary | X | In house |
| St. Elizabeth, Ohio | Level II |
| Interventional Centers | Trauma | STEMI | Stroke | 24/7 CT | 24/7 Neuro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny General Hospital | Level I | PCI | Comprehensive | X | Yes |
| UPMC Presbyterian Hospital | Level I | PCI | Comprehensive | X | Yes |
| UPMC Mercy Hospital | Level I | PCI | Comprehensive | X | Yes |
| UPMC Children’s Hospital | Level I | ||||
| St. Elizabeth, Ohio | Level II |