Some system decisions are mandated from external sources. The local ordinance that created TRAA mandates many minimum requirements for the system as well as making certain mandates on where patients are taken in certain circumstances. Additionally, local ordinance recognizes that medical care decisions are best made by physicians and should be based on sound medical practices. To assure that system medical decisions are based on sound medical practice, local ordinance created a EMS system medical control board and system medical director position to set medical protocol for TRAA patient care activities.
The Emergency Medical Services Foundation, Inc. is a part of the Fort Wayne Medical Society and is composed of emergency physicians from Dupont Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Parkview Hospital, Parkview Regional Medical Center, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Foundation sets medical policy to be followed by TRAA personnel when caring for patients.
The system medical director is hired by the EMS Foundation and is autonomous and not under TRAA control. The system medical director oversees TRAA’s patient care activities, is responsible for conducting medical audits of TRAA patient care, as well as having the responsibility of recommending protocol changes or additions to the EMS Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hospital will I be taken to?
If your condition is considered to be potentially life-threatening, local ordinance and medical protocols mandate that TRAA paramedics transport you to the nearest hospital capable of meeting the needs of your condition. In these cases, the term “nearest” means nearest in terms of shortest amount of transport time, not necessarily distance.
Some conditions may call for specialty care. For example, if you suffer a serious trauma injury, you may need to be taken to one of Allen County’s two trauma centers (Lutheran Hospital or Parkview Regional Medical Center), or if you suffer from certain specific heart conditions, you may need to be transported to a specific hospital with specialized cardiac facilities (Lutheran Hospital, Parkview Regional Medical Center, or St. Joseph’s Hospital). In these cases, we may be required to bypass the nearest hospital and take you to the nearest “specialty” hospital.
What if my condition is not life-threatening?
If your condition is not considered to be potentially life-threatening, you will be taken to the hospital you specify. If you don’t have a preference, TRAA paramedics will take you to the nearest hospital.
Who provides medical oversight?
The Emergency Medical Services Foundation, Inc. is a part of the Fort Wayne Medical Society and is composed of emergency physicians from Dupont Hospital, Lutheran Hospital, Parkview Hospital, Parkview Regional Medical Center, and St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Foundation sets medical policy to be followed by TRAA personnel when caring for patients.
The system medical director is hired by the EMS Foundation and is an autonomous third party. The system medical director oversees TRAA’s patient care activities, is responsible for conducting medical audits of TRAA patient care, as well as having the responsibility of recommending protocol changes or additions to the EMS Foundation.
Can I refuse care or transportation?
Federal and State laws allow for competent adults to refuse medical care and/or transportation as long as they understand the consequences of their refusal. To be allowed to refuse treatment, the law requires that you be 18 years of age or older, be of sound mind and be fully capable of understanding the consequences of refusing care. If you meet these requirements, TRAA paramedics may legally accept your refusal. A refusal is not valid or acceptable under the law if any of the following conditions exist:
- You are under 18 years of age
- You are under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- You are mentally incapable of making reasonable; or rational decisions
- You suffer from mental illness or are not of “sound mind”
- You are not capable of understanding the full consequences of your action of refusing for any reason
We need to emphasize that refusing care or transportation may not be in your best interest. Many medical or trauma conditions exist that may not be immediately identifiable by paramedics in the field. Some serious and potentially life-threatening conditions can only be identified by further testing and evaluation that only a hospital and physician can provide.