What types of patient transports require OLMC contact?

• A. Transports involving acute coronary syndrome, suspected acute stroke, trauma field triage, cardiac arrest, and complex patient care situations.
• B. Interfacility transfers only.
• C. Non-emergency transports only.
• D. All transports require OLMC.

Answer: (A)

Online Medical Control is used when field clinicians face high-risk, time-sensitive situations and need real-time physician guidance to make critical decisions. The transports listed—acute coronary syndrome, suspected acute stroke, trauma field triage, cardiac arrest, and complex patient care situations—fall into this category because status can change quickly, decisions about destinations, interventions beyond standing orders, and escalation of care may be necessary. Having a physician on the line helps ensure appropriate actions are taken and patient safety is maintained in these urgent scenarios.

Interfacility transfers are not inherently the only times OLMC is needed, and non-emergency transports generally follow standing orders without requiring real-time physician input. Nor are all transports required to have OLMC.