In case any EMS agencies are contacted by Law Enforcement regarding this issue, please see the information below from the State EMS Medical Director. This issue has also been reviewed by GMVEMSC Legislative Committee, and by our region’s RPAB. RPAB’s statement was, “New regulations regarding the law-enforcement restraint and confinement of pregnant or recently pregnant offenders has become law in Ohio. It requires law enforcement to contact a pregnant female’s “healthcare provider” prior to such actions as defined by the ORC/OAC. The current consensus is that this definition does not apply to EMS providers. This applies throughout all 40 weeks of pregnancy and for several weeks postpartum. The Region 3 RPAB was unanimous in concluding that EMS personnel should not provide clearance for the restraint or confinement of pregnant females, nor should they make assessments regarding the status of a pregnancy for these purposes as this is not consistent with EMS training and practice."
|