Rest and Readiness Guidelines SOP

1. Florida Hospital EMS Policy 153.053

2.  Objectives
 By the end of the presentation, the student will be
able to:
Identify when to initiate the Ground Transport Risk
Assessment Tool
Distinguish the difference between normal, caution or
cancel/delay trip
Properly calculate the Total Risk Assessment Score
Understand the value of using the Ground Transport
Risk Assessment Tool
Analyze the different points and conditions used in
creating the Total Risk Assessment Score

3.  The purpose of the Rest and Readiness
Guidelines SOP is to provide strategies to
interfacility medical transport personnel for a
self-risk assessment, which measures an
individual’s readiness for accepting and
successfully completing a patient transport.
 Maximizing safety of crew members in Medical
Transport Services is a primary focus in this
department and responsibility for safety comes
from every member on the team.

4.  The following are to be used as guidelines for Risk
Assessment of Interfacility Transport (IFT):
 It should be initiated anytime the crew feels that a safety risk exists
for the successful outcome of the IFT.
 Each crew member is responsible for maintaining safety as it
pertains to overall transport readiness and personal accountability.
 Crew members should be forthright with their fellow crew
members and shift supervisor if they present unfit and are deemed
not transport ready.
 Any crew member found to be consistently deviating from
departmental standard operating procedure and/or hospital
policy will be counseled and evaluated.

5.  “Transport Ready” will be defined as having had
sufficient (8 hours) rest prior to a scheduled shift.
This is intended to preclude back to back shifts
with other outside employment or significant
fatigue-causing activity prior to shift.
 If a crew member is found to be not Transport
Ready they may be relieved of duty and evaluated
by the supervisor. The supervisors will initiate the
procedure for Fitness for Duty (SOP# 800.257A).
The manager on call will be notified if a team
member is deemed unfit for duty.

6.  Additionally, crew members will not assume
transport duties under the following conditions
listed:
 Consumption of alcohol within past 8 hours; alcohol
effects, or any medication which may cause drowsiness or
impair judgment.
 When physical impairment does not allow them to
complete the physical requirements of ground medical
care and/or they have not been released to return to the
duties of their job description in full.
 Unusual and/or excessive emotional stress directly prior
to or during a scheduled shift that will interfere with the
ability to perform job duties.

7.  The Risk Assessment Tool is to be used for:
 EMS Ground to evaluate the safety of the IFT that
meets the risk assessment;
 Provide collaborative communication between all
parties participating in the transport;
 Increase the safety awareness and discuss safety
options during inclement conditions.

8.  A discussion by phone or in person will take
place between all team members involved on
the transport and the Risk Assessment Tool
will be completed. If the Risk Assessment Tool
scores the risk as 5 or greater or the crew
decision is no transport, the following
person(s) will be contacted to discuss methods
to reduce risk or to make a transport decision:
Manager on Call
Medical Control

9.  Alternate transport options to consider include:
 Different, fresh crew
 Additional crew member to assist with driving
 Different route, consider using main roads
 Consider flying the patient
 Consider taking trip after a rest period

10. First step- A
summary of
the discussion
between the
crew and the
supervisor

11. Second step-
Both crew and
supervisor will
calculate the
Total Risk
Assessment
Score using
the approved
criteria and
scoring
system.

12. Third step-
Compile the
Total Risk
Assessment
Score, obtain
any additional
data, if the score
is 5 or higher
contact the
manager for
review.