To the Editor:
Regarding Ethan Tobias' column ("Is Health Services healthy?" Nov. 14): Rhode Island pre-hospital regulations require that all emergency patients be transported to a Hospital Emergency Facility. This regulation governs all ambulance services licensed in the State of Rhode Island. Permission for transports to non-hospital facilities is granted only to non-municipal services, including ours, who transport patients for pre-scheduled primary care appointments that are not defined as emergency care.
Alcohol intoxication is always considered an emergency situation and falls under the Impaired Consciousness protocol in Rhode Island regulations. The only definitive care for impaired consciousness is transport to a Hospital Emergency Facility where comprehensive evaluations can be performed and advanced interventions are available if needed. Emergency Medical Services makes careful evaluations to determine if the Impaired Consciousness protocol should be followed.
Water consumption is not an appropriate treatment for impaired consciousness due to the fact that impaired persons may not be able to protect their own airway. Intoxicated persons who drink water and go to bed are at a much higher risk for vomiting and aspiration, which is what EMS strives so hard to prevent.
Amy Sanderson
EMS Manager and Service Chief
