Physicians, EMS Chiefs, Training Officers, and Field Paramedics throughout Florida developed the Florida Regional Common EMS Protocols. These protocols are based on National Standards and the most recent clinical studies regarding the delivery of pre-hospital care. Medical experts in the specialized areas of the protocols (e.g., cardiac care, stroke care, trauma care, pediatric care, airway and ventilation management, infectious disease, toxicology, and hazardous materials exposure) were an integral part of the protocol development process. In addition, an in-depth peer review was conducted to provide all participating agencies the opportunity to give input into the design and content of the protocols.
This protocol manual is part of the medical direction program for participating Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies in Florida, and as such, the medical treatment protocols are designed as clinical guides for EMS providers. The protocol manual in its entirety is designed to be a one-stop source of information for on-scene patient care, medical reference, and training purposes.
The medical treatment protocols outline care for a typical case and follow the case step by step. The treatment protocols are divided into adult and pediatric sections, each with three parts:
- Supportive Care Actions authorized for the EMT or paramedic that are supportive in nature. EMT (BLS) and paramedic (BLS and ALS) actions are specified within each of these protocols.
- ALS Level 1 Actions authorized only for the paramedic prior to physician contact.
- ALS Level 2 Actions authorized only for the paramedic that require a physician consult.