How should OLMC contact be documented?

• A. OLMC contact is not recorded.
• B. Some OLMC contacts are kept in a separate notebook.
• C. All OLMC contact is recorded.
• D. OLMC contact is recorded only for critical cases.

Answer: (C)

On-Line Medical Control (OLMC) contact should be documented in full. Every OLMC interaction—whether guidance given by a physician by phone, radio, or telemedicine—should appear in the patient care record to create a complete, auditable trail of what was advised and what actions were taken. This documentation supports continuity of care, provides legal protection, and enables QA/QI review of decisions and outcomes. When documenting, include who was contacted, the time, the mode of communication, the guidance or orders received, the EMS actions implemented in response, and the patient’s status and any follow-up instructions.

Not recording OLMC contacts creates gaps in the patient care record, making it harder to defend decisions or review care later. Storing OLMC notes in a separate notebook risks loss or disorganization and won’t be readily accessible within the official run documentation. Recording only for critical cases would miss routine but important guidance that can influence care and accountability.