Under DHS Reference No. 834, a patient may be impaired by substances such as marijuana but still have decision-making capacity if they maintain awareness of person, place, and time. In such cases, how may the patient be transported if there are no other mandatory transport criteria?

Under DHS Reference No. 834, a patient may be impaired by substances such as marijuana but still have decision-making capacity if they maintain awareness of person, place, and time. In such cases, how may the patient be transported if there are no other mandatory transport criteria?

• A. BLS and/or refuse transport
• B. ALS only
• C. Air ambulance only
• D. Private vehicle transport

Answer: (A)

Decision-making capacity matters in this scenario: if a patient impaired by substances can still reliably acknowledge who they are, where they are, and the time, they can participate in transport decisions. When there are no other mandatory transport criteria, the patient may be transported by Basic Life Support if they consent, or they may choose to refuse transport. This respects patient autonomy and aligns with the policy allowing BLS transport or patient refusal in the presence of capacity. Other options aren’t warranted here: ALS-only isn’t indicated without a need for advanced care, air transport is excessive for a capable patient, and private vehicle transport isn’t appropriate EMS practice due to safety and monitoring concerns.

Decision-making capacity matters in this scenario: if a patient impaired by substances can still reliably acknowledge who they are, where they are, and the time, they can participate in transport decisions. When there are no other mandatory transport criteria, the patient may be transported by Basic Life Support if they consent, or they may choose to refuse transport. This respects patient autonomy and aligns with the policy allowing BLS transport or patient refusal in the presence of capacity. Other options aren’t warranted here: ALS-only isn’t indicated without a need for advanced care, air transport is excessive for a capable patient, and private vehicle transport isn’t appropriate EMS practice due to safety and monitoring concerns.