
New guidance for EMS professionals in New York City and Long Island says cardiac arrest patients should not be transported to hospitals if they cannot be saved in the field.
Related: Complete COVID-19 Coverage from JEMS
WABC-TV reports the new directive comes as hospitals are dealing with an influx of coronavirus patients.
Related: Temporal Utilization Trends in Prehospital Mechanical CPR Devices
EMS crews are being told if they can’t resuscitate a patient, they should declare the person dead.
“These orders are binding and the FDNY will devise a plan for implementation,” said Deputy Fire Commissioner Frank Dwyer.