What should EMS personnel do if there is doubt about the health care agent's identity?

• A. Continue treatment and document the situation.
• B. Halt treatment until identity is confirmed.
• C. Notify law enforcement and discontinue EMS services.
• D. Request a medical control order to switch decision-maker.

Answer: (A)

When there's doubt about who has authority to make medical decisions for an incapacitated patient, the priority is to provide necessary care without delay and clearly document the uncertainty. In practice, you continue the required treatment under your standard protocols, monitor the patient, and proceed with the plan while you seek clarification. Document what you know about the situation—the doubt about the health care agent’s identity, any available directives, and the steps taken (assessing, treating, and attempting to verify authorization or to contact medical control). You can involve medical control for guidance, but delaying care to confirm identity can harm the patient, so treatment should not be halted. Options like stopping treatment, involving law enforcement to terminate EMS services, or pursuing an order to switch decision-makers do not align with safeguarding the patient’s immediate needs in an emergency.