Paramedic Kardex

The is a quick reference ONLY to the Policies and Guidelines set by OCEMSA.
All specific Treatment Guidelines questions should be directed to the OCEMSA Website.
Comprehensive children emergency receiving center (CCERC)
New Updated 10/2021
Definition:
Child or Children: Defined to be under the age of 15 y/o
Comprehensive Children's Emergency Receiving Center (CCERC): Emergency and referral center for children in Orange County
Pediatric Base Hospital: CCERC designated by OCEMS for on-line medical control
Pediatric Resource Center: Available for advisory children's issues over the phone to EMS personnel or Emergency Departments in Orange County
Transport Criteria:
1. A CCERC is the most appropriate, nearest emergency receiving center (ERC)
2. Child's parent or caretaker requests transport to a CCERC, and transport is reasonable
3. Child appears to be having an acute stroke or neurologic emergency
4. Child is an interfacilty transport from a health care facility or provider to a CCERC
CCERC Radio Contact Criteria:
CCERC contact is encouraged and appropriate at any time a paramedic determines there is a benefit to do so.
Respiratory Distress or labored breathing with:
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Intercostal retractions
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Nasal flaring with inspiration
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Respiratory less than approximately 12/min or more than approximately 50/min
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Cyanosis (lips and central face area)
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Complaint of difficulty breathing by child who can communicate
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Paramedic judgement
Circulatory compromise with:
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Poor skin color (pallor, cyanosis)
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Decreased capillary refill
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Altered mental status or confusion
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Mottling of skin
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Pale lips or finger beds
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Weak / thready pulse
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Paramedic judgement
Pediatric patients identified in Standing Orders as requiring field treatment by EMS
ALTE / BRUE:
Apparent Life-Threatening Event (ALTE)
Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (BRUE)
DEFINITION:
ALTE or BRUE are defined as an episode that occurs in a child 3 years old and younger that is frightening to the observer and is characterized by some combination of:
Children with any of the acute symptoms below:
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Apnea episode
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Color change (cyanosis, pallor, erythema) episode
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Choking or gagging spontaneous, unrelated to food or fluid intake
Radio Contact Process:
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When contacting OCC, the EMS personnel should request a CCERC for contact
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If there is a need to contacting the Base Hospital in an MCI with children involved, contact should be make to the normal Base Hospital per agency