Kansas Statutes

Statute 65-6121: Emergency medical technician; authorized activities. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an emergency medical technician may perform any of the following activities:

      (a)   Patient assessment and vital signs;

      (b)   airway maintenance including the use of:

      (1)   Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways;

      (2)   esophageal obturator airways with or without gastric suction device;

      (3)   multi-lumen airway; and

      (4)   oxygen demand valves.

      (c)   Oxygen therapy;

      (d)   oropharyngeal suctioning;

      (e)   cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures;

      (f)   control accessible bleeding;

      (g)   apply pneumatic anti-shock garment;

      (h)   manage outpatient medical emergencies;

      (i)   extricate patients and utilize lifting and moving techniques;

      (j)   manage musculoskeletal and soft tissue injuries including dressing and bandaging wounds or the splinting of fractures, dislocations, sprains or strains;

      (k)   use of backboards to immobilize the spine;

      (l)   administer syrup of ipecac, activated charcoal and glucose;

      (m)   monitor peripheral intravenous line delivering intravenous fluids during interfacility transport with the following restrictions:

      (1)   The physician approves the transfer by an emergency medical technician;

      (2)   no medications or nutrients have been added to the intravenous fluids; and

      (3)   the emergency medical technician may monitor, maintain and shut off the flow of intravenous fluid;

      (n)   use automated external defibrillators;

      (o)   administer epinephrine auto-injectors provided that:

      (1)   The emergency medical technician successfully completes a course of instruction approved by the board in the administration of epinephrine; and

      (2)   the emergency medical technician serves with an ambulance service or a first response organization that provides emergency medical services; and

      (3)   the emergency medical technician is acting pursuant to medical protocols;

      (p)   perform, during nonemergency transportation, those activities specified in this section when specifically authorized to perform such activities by medical protocols; or

      (q)   when authorized by medical protocol, assist the patient in the administration of the following medications which have been prescribed for that patient: Auto-injection epinephrine, sublingual nitroglycerin and inhalers for asthma and emphysema.

      History:   L. 1988, ch. 261, § 21; L. 1990, ch. 235, § 3; L. 1991, ch. 203, § 4; L. 1994, ch. 154, § 4; L. 1998, ch. 133, § 7; L. 2002, ch. 203, § 2; July 1.