What must EMS personnel complete before implementing new programs or using new medications?

• A. Complete the EMS System-approved education program and demonstrate required knowledge and skills.
• B. Obtain patient consent
• C. Obtain hospital permission
• D. Start using after sign-off without training

Answer: (A)

Before EMS personnel can implement a new program or start using a new medication, they must complete the EMS System–approved education program and demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. This ensures they understand the indications, dosing, contraindications, potential adverse effects, monitoring needs, and proper documentation for the new approach. The training provides standardized expectations and, together with a competency demonstration, verifies they can apply the new protocol safely in real-world conditions.

Consent from patients, hospital permission, or starting use after a sign-off without training do not replace this essential prerequisite. Consent relates to patient care decisions, not to provider readiness, and hospital permission or untrained use bypasses critical safety and quality controls that protect patients and the system.