Emergency Protocol for Non Transport of COVID-19 Patients

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to work with state, federal and local partners on the outbreak of novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, and we continue to appreciate the essential role you have in responding to this evolving situation. 

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, OEMS is releasing the following documents:

  • An emergency waiver of the EMS System regulations, 105 CMR 170.355, for dispatch, treat and transport, which is to be used only in conjunction with

  • An emergency protocol for non-transport of emergency patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms and no other complaints.   

    Ambulance services need to begin working through implementation issues and training needs before putting these changes in place. Please work with your affiliate hospital medical director and ensure all your EMS personnel are appropriately trained on the use of this Protocol, prior to implementing.  

    In training your EMS personnel, you may want to also use the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) flyer, 10 Ways to Manage Respiratory Symptoms at Home:     https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/10Things.pdf. Please encourage your EMS personnel to provide this information to any COVID-19 patients they allow to remain at home in accordance with this emergency waiver and protocol.
     
    This emergency protocol only applies to patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms and no other complaints.  This protocol, like the related emergency waiver of the EMS System regulation, will only be in effect through the Governor’s declared State of Emergency. 

    For any questions about the Protocol, please contact Patricia Reilly, RN at     patricia.reilly@state.ma.us, or Renee Atherton, NRP, at renee.atherton@state.ma.us.
     
    The DPH COVID-19 website, which is updated on a daily basis, can be accessed at     www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus.
     

Emergency waiver of the EMS System regulations, 105 CMR 170.355

For dispatch, treat and transport.

Emergency protocol for non-transport of emergency patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms and no other complaints.

To be used in conjunction with the above waiver.