State Protocols
The Protocols Below are Approved and may be
Adopted and Used Immediately
The Memorandum regarding 2023 State Protocol Update can be found here: (KBEMS State Protocol Memo 4.21.23.pdf) and has been sent to the emails on KEMSIS for Service Directors and Medical Directors. Please read the memo for more information including timeframe for allowing agencies to transition and directions on how.
If you have comments for future protocol updates, please email them to kbems.protocol.comments@gmail.com .
Adoption of State Protocols
Licensed ambulance agencies wishing to adopt the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols should choose one of the following based upon their wishes to adopt the Kentucky State EMS Protocols completely, or with omissions.
Any licensed ground or air EMS agency in Kentucky that wishes to make ANY amendments to the agency's KBEMS approved medical protocol must receive written approval from the office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services PRIOR to implementation of any change.
If an agency would like to adopt the entire state protocols without changes, complete the following steps for approval:
- A letter should be drafted on agency letterhead, stating the desire to adopt the Kentucky State Protocols completely.
- This letter needs to be signed by the Agency Director and Medical Director
- In KEMSIS, complete the Medical Protocol Application and upload the above referenced document.
Licensed Ambulance agencies wishing to "opt-out" of certain portions of the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocol, but wish to implement all other portions shall complete the following steps:
- A letter should be drafted on agency letterhead, stating the desire to opt out of the specific omissions requested from the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols.
- This letter needs to be signed by the Agency Director and Medical Director.
- In KEMSIS, complete the Medical Protocol Application, citing the page number and addition and/or exclusions, and upload the following documents within the application:
- A copy of the letter referenced above.
- A copy of the protocols as requested.
Licensed Ambulance agencies wishing to use agency specific protocols in lieu of the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols shall complete the following steps:
- A letter should be drafted on agency letterhead, stating the desire to use agency specific protocols instead of the approved Kentucky State EMS Protocols.
- This letter needs to be signed by the Agency Director and Medical Director.
- In KEMSIS, complete the Medical Protocol Application and upload the above referenced document along with a copy of the protocols.
Review of agency specific protocols may take up to four months.
If an agency wishes to adopt restricted protocols, a specific written request for authorization to utilize the protocol must be submitted and approved prior to implementation. This request needs to include signatures of the Service Director and the Medical Director.
Proper training of your agency's protocols is paramount. Regardless of the type of protocols which are selected, proper education and training must be provided for all staff that will be utilizing the protocols. The curriculum for this needs to be developed locally by the agency training department in conjunction with the agency medical director. Proper documentation of initial training and education, as well as ongoing training and education should be maintained by the agency training department.
Patient Destination Guidance