The Alberta College of Paramedics has released a new practice guideline effective immediately to address confusion for Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) managing emergent childbirth. The Paramedics Profession Regulation (PPR) authorizes ACPs and PCPs “to manage labour or deliver a baby” as a restricted activity, however, the PPR, section 16, does not authorize this restricted activity for EMRs.
The guideline states the College appreciates that there may be times that an EMR may find themselves as the most aptly trained health professional at the scene of an emergent childbirth. EMR curriculum taught through approved education programs includes the training for basic care required to assist in an emergent childbirth scenario. It would be the expectation of the College that the EMR provide patient care to both the mother and newborn until care can be transferred to a more advanced level of medical care.
To read the full Practice Guideline, click here. For more information, please contact the College at communications@ABparamedics.com