What is the role of the OPR Medical Director regarding new medications or equipment?

• A. To train EMS personnel
• B. To monitor costs
• C. To evaluate safety and approve or disapprove their use in the pre-hospital care setting.
• D. To develop hospital protocols

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that the Medical Director is responsible for safety assessment and authorization of new medications or equipment for use in the field. When something new comes into a prehospital system, they review the available evidence, weigh the potential benefits against risks, and determine whether it should be allowed in EMS practice. This involves specifying indications, dosing or device use, contraindications, and how it fits with current protocols and patient care standards. Once safety and appropriateness are established, they approve or disapprove its use and oversee the implementation, including protocol updates and ensuring proper staff training and ongoing monitoring for adverse effects.

Training is important, but it supports the approval process rather than being the primary role. Monitoring costs is a financial consideration, not the medical oversight focus. Developing hospital protocols falls under hospital or EMS system operations and hospital medicine, not the field authorization decision for prehospital care.