What should BLS personnel do if they respond to a patient requiring ALS care?

• A. Contact Online Medical Control
• B. Notify the receiving hospital only
• C. Transfer patient to ALS crew
• D. Wait for ALS crew to arrive before acting

Answer: (A)

When a patient needs ALS-level care, the first priority is to obtain real-time medical direction. Contact Online Medical Control to get authorization, protocol guidance, and coordination for ALS resources. This ensures any ALS interventions are performed under direction and that an ALS intercept can be arranged promptly if needed, without delaying essential care you’re already providing at the BLS level.

While you reach out for guidance, you should continue with appropriate BLS care and keep the receiving hospital informed as part of the ongoing handoff. Simply notifying the hospital doesn’t provide medical orders or enable ALS interventions. Waiting for the ALS crew to arrive before acting can delay necessary treatment, so you initiate care within your scope and follow the medical control’s directions for escalation as soon as possible.