G.3.21 Denied/Delayed Patient Access

PURPOSE

To ensure Paramedic Services personnel are aware of responsibility to access patients, and processes to mitigate impact to such access, while ensuring the safety of both responders and patients.
 

APPLICATION

• Paramedics
• Paramedic Superintendents
• Senior Managers
   

PROCEDURE

While access to patients is not normally a challenge for Paramedics, there are a variety of reasons for such challenges. Where Paramedics are unable to gain access, they shall:

• Contact CACC ACO immediately to confirm the address.
• Ensure that the ACO telephones the original caller/residence.
• Request assistance of the local Police Service where access remains unavailable to Paramedics.
• Request the ACO notifies the Paramedic Superintendent. 
• Complete and submit an Incident Report detailing the event. 

Where Paramedic Services personnel are unable to gain access to a patient because of hazardous circumstances, the ACO will be notified and appropriate allied agencies will be requested. The Paramedic Superintendent shall respond where reasonable. 

Where access to any patient is delayed or denied by a member of the public, the ACO will immediately notify Police Services. Paramedics will assess the immediate threat and engage in a tactical withdrawal where deemed appropriate.  

Where access to any patient is delayed or denied by a member of a Police Services, the ACO will immediately notify the Paramedic Superintendent. Paramedics will obtain the Police Officer’s badge number.  

All delayed patient access incidents shall be documented on the ePCR and Incident Reports.