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Current Maine EMS Statewide Protocols (Dec 1, 2019) are located here

Maine EMS 2021 Statewide Protocols

Maine EMS and the Medical Direction & Practices Board (MDPB) have developed new statewide EMS protocols with an implementation date of December 1, 2021.

The MDPB has spent countless hours researching, drafting, and revising these EMS protocols. In addition to monthly public meetings and volunteering many work hours, the MDPB held six statewide public protocol discussion forums.

The protocols below are not for clinical use until 12:01 a.m. December 1, 2021.

The Education Committee, MDPB, and Maine EMS have released the following information regarding protocol updates:

All EMS clinicians are required to attend a 2021 protocol update course and this can be accomplished through 2 options:

1. Complete the protocol update via MEMSEd (now available)

2. Or have attended one of the seven live, virtual, protocol update sessions listed below,

Region 1 was held on October 27, 2021
Region 2 was held on October 12, 2021
Region 3 was held on October 25, 2021
Region 4 was held on October 19, 2021
Region 5 was held on October 18, 2021
Region 6 was held on October 28, 2021
An additional session was held on November 15, 2021

EMS clinicians only need to do one of the above options.

2021 Protocols - NOT for use until December 1, 2021

Note - These files were updated on October 10, 2021, with various editorial and technical changes. If you downloaded these files prior to 2200 hours on October 10, 2021, please update your files to the ones below.

COMPLETE 2021 Maine EMS Protocols (PDF) (11/23/21) Note - This is a large file

Please note that the existing smartphone apps will also be updated, but they cannot be updated until December 1, as it will override current Maine EMS protocols in effect prior to December 1, 2021. Users should manually update the apps on or after December 1, 2021. Maine EMS does not print protocol books.
Correction: On November 23, 2021, the entire 2021 protocol file was updated to a corrected version. Two formatting issues were noted and corrected:
- Red 12: Under Amiodarone, the dose read "Can repeat in 3-5 minutes up to a total dose of". It should have read "Can repeat in 3-5 minutes up to a total dose of 15 mg/kg"
- Yellow 3: Under PEARLS, "MSDS" was changed to "SDS"
2021 Protocol Change Summary (PDF)

2021 Protocol Resources

EMT Scope of Practice Changes Overview & Guidelines 2021 (PDF) (updated 11/23/21)
- Note: Although the Maine EMS protocols go into effect on December 1, 2021, EMTs and services have until March 1, 2021, to complete the mandatory training of "Nebulizer Use by EMTs Module". The CPAP and 12-Lead Acquisition Modules are optional skills for EMT Level Services and can be instituted at any time after December 1, 2021.
- Maine EMS is in the process of developing didactic education for these three modules for MEMSEd. EMTs must complete either these modules or paramedic ICs may develop their own lecture in place of the MEMSEd course. Once the overall 2021 protocol course (via MEMSEd or one of the previously offered webinars) and the expanded scope didactic lecture (via MEMSEd or in-person by a paramedic IC) are completed, EMTs must complete in-person skills education (using the required skill sheets below) with a paramedic IC. In-person lecture and skills sessions must be submitted to an EMS regional office or training center for approval. Please review the Overview & Guidelines document (above) for specifics.
Nebulizer Use by EMTs Module
- This is a required skill for EMTs & EMT Level Services.
- Instructors MUST refer to the EMT Scope of Practices Overview & Guidelines 2021 (above) for educational requirements.
- Nebulizer Use By EMTs Powerpoint (PPT) (11/24/21)
  - Paramedic ICs may use this for the didactic education portion OR develop their own, approved by a regional office or training center.
- Medication Rights Administration Skill Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
- Medication Cross-Check Skill Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
- Small Volume Nebulizer Lab Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
- Small Volume Nebulizer Skill Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
- Nebulizer with CPAP Skill Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
CPAP Use by EMTs Module
- This is an optional skill for EMT Level Services.
- Instructors MUST refer to the EMT Scope of Practices Overview & Guidelines 2021 (above) for educational requirements.
- CPAP Lab Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
- CPAP Skill Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
12-Lead Acquisition by EMTs Module
- This is an optional skill for EMT Level Services.
- Instructors MUST refer to the EMT Scope of Practices Overview & Guidelines 2021 (above) for educational requirements.
- 12-Lead ECG Placement Job Aid (PDF) (11/16/21)
- 12-Lead Acquisition Lab Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
- 12-Lead Acquisition Skill Sheet (PDF) (11/16/21)
Maine POLST Form (PDF)
Infant Warming Mattress Specifications (PDF)
Hospital Protocol Education Powerpoint (PPT) (10/20/21)
- This is aimed at hospital clinicians who provide online medical control and is a high-level overview only
Hospital OLMC Reference - Protocols/treatments where OLMC may be needed/required (based on 2021 protocols) (PDF) (10/20/21)

Maine EMS 2021 Protocols By Section

Intro and Tabe of Contents (PDF) (10/10/21)
Purple Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Blue Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Red Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Gold Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Green Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Yellow Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Pink Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Orange Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Grey Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Black Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
OD Green (K-9) Section (PDF) (10/10/21)
Pandemic Section (PDF) (10/10/21)

White Papers Specific to 2021 EMS Protocols

The MDPB has released several white papers surrounding decisions and changes that will go into effect with the December 1, 2021 protocol change. These white papers are: