201 KAR 20:430. Discontinuance of resuscitation by a registered nurse employed by an ambulance service

      Section 1. A registered nurse may discontinue resuscitation if:

      (1) The patient has suffered cardiac arrest prior to arrival at the hospital;

      (2) The registered nurse has attempted and documented the resuscitative efforts specified in the applicable resuscitation protocol of the ambulance service medical director;

      (3) The resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful; and

      (4) The patient meets the criteria established in 201 KAR 20:420, Section 2.

 

      Section 2. A registered nurse may discontinue resuscitation initiated by someone other than a registered nurse if:

      (1) The patient has suffered cardiac arrest;

      (2) The resuscitative efforts specified in the applicable resuscitation protocol of the ambulance service medical director have been performed and documented;

      (3) The resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful; and

      (4) The patient meets the criteria established in 201 KAR 20:420, Section 2.

 

      Section 3. The registered nurse shall contact medical control or a licensed physician, authorized in writing by the medical director, for advice and assistance prior to making a determination required by this administrative regulation. The discontinuance of resuscitation shall be approved by the physician prior to the discontinuance.

 

      Section 4. The registered nurse may discontinue resuscitation on a patient meeting the requirements specified in KRS 311.621 to 311.643 if presented with a copy of a standard form of identification authorized in KRS 311.623.

 

      Section 5. The registered nurse shall document all items required by this administrative regulation on the ambulance form required by KRS 216B.410.

 

      Section 6. If a registered nurse discontinues resuscitation on a patient prior to transport of the patient to a medical facility, the registered nurse shall make the notifications required by KRS 72.020 and remain on the scene until the arrival of the coroner or law enforcement officer.

 

      Section 7. If a registered nurse discontinues resuscitation on a patient during transport to a medical facility, the registered nurse shall make the notifications required by KRS 72.020 to the officials of the county in which the registered nurse discontinued resuscitation. Upon making the notification, the registered nurse shall determine from the appropriate official whether to remain at that location, to return the deceased to a facility within the primary service area of the ambulance provider, or to continue on to the medical facility with the deceased. (25 Ky.R. 2233; Am. 26 Ky.R. 373; eff. 8-16-99.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 72.020, 216B.410, 311.623, 314.181, 446.400

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 314.131(1), 314.181(1)

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 314.181(1) requires the Kentucky Board of Nursing to promulgate administrative regulations to establish a protocol governing the discontinuance of resuscitation efforts by a registered nurse. This administrative regulation establishes a protocol for discontinuance of resuscitation by a registered nurse employed by an ambulance service.