G.3.18 Physicians Orders

PURPOSE

To set out the expectations of Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Paramedic Services related to Paramedic conduct/actions for adherence to Physician orders. 

APPLICATION

• Paramedics
• Paramedic Superintendents
   

PROCEDURE

Definitions

• Paramedic: A legally qualified person, who, in the course of providing ambulance service to a patient, renders emergency medical care.
• Physician: A legally qualified medical practitioner who is licensed to practice medicine in Ontario.
• Base Hospital Physician: A licensed physician hired by a Base Hospital.  The base hospital physician must comply with the policies of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario policy #4-03, which provides direction to Ontario physicians on the delegation of controlled acts.  
• Patient Care Order: Any verbal or written direction to perform a basic life support or advanced life support procedure.
   

Scope of Practice/Limitations

• Paramedics shall not provide patient care outside of their scope of practice. Where such direction is received, the Paramedics shall inform the physician of their limitation. 
• Where any Physician has assumed responsibility for patient care, the Physician will be offered assistance within the Paramedic scope of practice.
• If the Paramedic is unfamiliar with the Most Responsible Physician, Paramedics should confirm the Physician’s credentials.  
• If the Paramedic believes that the Physician’s patient care is not appropriate, the Paramedic should communicate the concern, and shall establish a Base Hospital patch where the concern still exists. Paramedics shall complete Incident Reports in such instances.
• Paramedics are not permitted to take medical orders from physicians that are not part of the Base Hospital Program, and may not accept orders unless such orders are issued directly to Paramedics.