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Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
EMS Coordinating Board
Best Practices

"A best practice is a recommendation that is based upon experience, research, and/or data and is intended to
increase the probability of achieving a desired result."

Last Updated: September 5, 2018

The NH Best Practices Committee, a subcommittee of the Emergency Medical and Trauma Services Coordinating Board, is committed to assisting EMS service leaders and members by making operational guidelines available for reference and use. These guidelines are designed to be a foundation for developing department or service policies adapted specifically for local use.

The NH EMS Best Practices Project was initiated in 2005 from concerns by EMS leaders about the safety of our EMS Providers. With ever-evolving standards and risks, the Best Practices Committee recognizes that department leaders may need direction and assistance when attempting to create new guidelines and policies for their own service or department. These guidelines, originally published in 2008, are produced as a resource to you and your service to keep your membership and communities safe. When developing Best Practices guidelines, the Committee looks at existing policies, guidelines, and resource documents (local and national) that may be effective in New Hampshire.

The updated 2013 EMS Best Practices include enhancements to:

  • "Operating on Limited Access Highways" SOG (high-visibility vests)
  • "Use of Lights and Sirens" SOG
  • "Securing Patients" SOG and,

    SOG Additions to the Patient Care Section:
  • Family Centered Pre-Hospital Care
  • Concern for Adult/Elder Well-being
  • Refusal of Care Instructions-Head Injuries

There will be many other issues and topics emerging in the future that impact EMS operations. It is the Committees' intention to evaluate this document, update, and add additional guidelines as necessary. If you have a concern or wish to raise a topic for further discussion by this Committee, please contact the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Field Services Coordinator and liaison to the Best Practices Committee, Kathy Doolan at Kathy.Doolan@dos.nh.gov, or by telephone at the Division office in Concord: 603-223-4281.

PLEASE NOTE: Many of the SOG's listed below have associated reference documents and RSAs also available on this site. Please be sure to review any and all associated items - they will be noted by SOG number. (Ex: SOG 1 is a document that relates to "Prehired Operator Review" listed under employment.

Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG) Topics and Samples
 
  Employment: The purpose of these policies is to provide guidance for pre-employment and employment issues that may affect your service.
SOG 1:
Prehired Operator Review Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2008)
SOG 2:
Secure Equipment Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2008)
  Patient Care: The purpose of these policies is to provide guidance for patient care situations that are not directly covered by protocl and may be unusual in nature.
SOG 3:
Elder Concern Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 4:
Family Centered Care Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 5:
Head Injury Info Sheet Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 6:
Securing Patient Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 14:
EMS for Mass Gathering EventsMicrosoft Word Symbol (V 2014)
SOG 15:
 EMS in the Warm Zone: Active Shooter IncidentMicrosoft Word Symbol (v 2015)
  Personnel: The purpose of these policies is to provide guidance to service leaders and members for the care and safety of their personnel.
Approved EMS in the Warm Zone grant equipment listAdobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
SOG 7:
Responder Rehabilitation Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 16
 EMS Diversion Best Practice Guide Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(v 2017)
  Template:
SOG 8:
SOG Template-Blank Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2008)
  Vehicle Ops: The purpose of these policies is to provide guidance to service leaders and members for the safety of their personel, communities and the public.
SOG 9:
EMS Vehicles-Lights and Sirens Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 10:
EMS Vehicles-Maintenance Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2008)
SOG 11:
Personal Vehicles-Operations Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 12:
Traffic Incident Management Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
SOG 13:
Vehicle Operator Guidelines Microsoft Word Symbol (v 2013)
 
Reference Documents
 
  Employment:
  None at this time
  Patient Care:
  AAP Policy - Family Centered Care Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 4)
  Elder Abuse - Resource Guide Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 3)
  EMSC - Family Centered Prehospital Care Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 4)
  EMSC - Guidelines for Providing Family Centered Prehospital Care Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 4)
  Family Centered Care - Provider Tool Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 4)
  Maternal and Child Health Bureau - Family Centered Care Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol (SOG4)
  NHTSA - Reccomendations for the Safe Transport of Child Patients Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol (SOG 6)
  NHTSA - Recommendations for the Safe Transport of Pediatric Patients Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol (SOG 6)
  New Hampshire State Plan on Aging Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 3)
  Personnel:
  Guide to Infection Prevention in EMS Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  US Fire Administration - Traffic Incident Management Systems Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol (SOG 12)
  Rehabilitation Form Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 7)
  Vehicle Ops:
  Local Government Center - Lights and Sirens Use Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol (SOG 9)
  2012 NH Release of MV Records Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 13)
  Permission Form Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol(SOG 11)
 
Related RSA's
 
  Vehicle Ops: (each of these is related to SOG 9)
  Section 6D.01 Pedestrian Considerations Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 259:28 Emergency Vehicles Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 265:8 Obedience to and Effect of Traffice Laws Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 265:61 Speed Limitations Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:73 Equipment Prohibited - Sirens Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:74 Equipment Prohibited - Emergency Lights - Repealed Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78a Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Definitions Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78b Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Blue Lights Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78c Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Red Lights Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78d Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Additional Approved Lights Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78e Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Other Flashing Lamps Prohibited Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78g Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Use of Lights by Emergency Personnel Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78n Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Parade Use Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78o Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Inspection Station Duties Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78p Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Revocation of Privilege Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol
  Section 266:78q Emergency Lights and Warning Lights - Penalties Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol

Adobe Acrobat Reader Symbol Adobe Acrobat Reader format. You can download a free reader from Adobe.

Microsoft Word Symbol Microsoft Word format. You can download a free reader from Microsoft.
   
 
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