The Los Angeles Post

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency Expands Scope for Paramedics to Assist with Delivery of Non-IV Medications in Stationary Care Sites to Aid in the Prevention and Spread of COVID-19

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LOS ANGELES – California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency in response to the prevention of the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. The emergency declaration provided the Medical Director of the Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) the authority to seek approval from the state for expansion of local optional scope of practice for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Advanced EMTs (AEMT), and paramedics in order to aid in the prevention and spread and treatment of the virus.

The expanded procedures performed by EMTs and paramedics will be supervised locally by nurses, nurse practitioners or physicians, and provide additional personnel to facilities severely impacted by COVID-19.

“The expanded scope of practice allows EMTs or paramedics within Los Angeles County to provide staff support to some of our most vulnerable populations, such as skilled nursing facilities or the homeless in alternate care sites,” says Dr. Marianne Gausche-Hill, Medical Director, Los Angeles County EMS Agency.

Benefits and advantages of added scope:

  • EMT assisted administration of prescription oral medications
  • Paramedic facilitated phlebotomy
  • Paramedic dispensing of prescribed medications from bubble packs and/or multidose containers
  • Paramedic administration of ocular medications
  • Paramedic administration of transdermal medications
  • Paramedic administration of inhaled medications
  • Paramedic administration of intravenous medications
  • Paramedic administration of intramuscular medications
  • Paramedic administration of subcutaneous injection medications

This expanded scope of paramedic practice will help alleviate strain on congregate settings during this pandemic and supports the unanimous vote on April 28, 2020 by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors calling for comprehensive measures to strengthen protections for residents and staff at skilled nursing homes, among other congregate settings, who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.