Policy:
Medical
technology, changes in the healthcare industry, and increased home health
capabilities have created a special population of patients that interface with
the EMS system. It is important for EMS to understand and provide quality care
to children with special health care needs. Such
children may include patients with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic
brain injury, etc.
The
Kids’ Information Data Base Access System for Emergencies, or “KIDBASE”
program, is designed to increase preparedness for emergencies by having children
with special medical conditions register with the local EMS agency. At the
request of the child’s parent or guardian registered KIDBASE children will
carry an emergency information form at all times (see
Attachment page 1 and
Attachment page 2), and
copies will be provided to the child’s school and local EMS agency.
Purpose:
·
Decrease the time it takes for emergency
personnel to get important medical information about medically fragile children.
·
Provide quality patient care and EMS services to children
with special health care needs.
·
Understand the need to communicate with the parents and
caregivers regarding healthcare needs and devices that EMS may not have
experience with.
·
Promote, request, and use the “KIDBASE” form that
catalogs the health care problems, needs, and issues of each child with a
special healthcare need.
Procedure:
1.
Caregivers familiar with the KIDBASE program will tell the
9-1-1 telecommunicator that the emergency involves a “KIDBASE child”. Others
may state that this is a special needs child. Ask caregiver for copy of the Emergency
Information Form (or “EIF”). In North Carolina, this form is also known
as the KIDBASE form.
2.
Consider contacting child’s primary care physician.
3.
Transport child to an appropriate medical facility. This may
involve contacting medical control and the on-duty Operations Supervisor for
permission to transport from the scene to an out-of-county hospital.