EMTs with Quality EMS can administer nitrous oxide
A nationwide shortage of paramedics has led Quality EMS to come up with a practical solution that allows their emergency medical technicians the ability to administer the nonnarcotic pain medicine nitrous oxide.
“EMTs have a fairly robust set of protocols for a wide variety of patients, but the one that they’re lacking is pain management,” said Keith Singleton, deputy chief of Quality EMS.
After two years of planning, Quality EMS announced on Friday, April 19 that they are participating in a pilot program that will now allow EMTs to administer nitrous oxide for pain.
“We are proud to report that our program has been given final approval by the Pennsylvania Bureau of EMS,” said Conrad Pfeifer, Quality EMS executive director. “Our goal at the end of the pilot program is to have enough data to support expanding this medication to the scope of practice for all EMT-Bs in the commonwealth.”
EMT-B, which stands for Emergency Medical Technician Basic, is the entry level position for EMTs.
Singleton said the program is a result of the declining number of paramedics across the country.
“Two years ago we realized, ahead of the game, that there’s not going to be a lot of paramedics around in the future,” Singleton said. “And we realized we really needed to bolster the care that an EMT can deliver.”
To get permission from the state to be able to use the gas for pain medication, Quality EMS had to come up with protocols as well as provide the outline for training, Singleton said.
Before the EMTs can administer nitrous oxide, they are required to take classes, participate in hands-on training and a take a final test.
The basic-level providers are also required to have a working understanding of the gas.
“They get an overview of how the gas works, the contraindications, the indications and the side effects,” Singleton said.
Nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas, is a nonnarcotic pain medication that a patient inhales.
“The great thing about this gas is that it’s very safe,” Singleton said. “It’s very effective as well. It’s been proven all over the world to be safe and useful.”
Singleton said because Quality EMS has been preparing for the program for two years, the EMTs are already qualified and trained to administer the pain medication.
The deputy chief also said he is very confident the pilot program will be successful enough to make the protocol a permanent fixture for Quality EMS.
