When a patient with a PDP-listed condition refuses transport, what two actions must the paramedic take?

When a patient with a PDP-listed condition refuses transport, what two actions must the paramedic take?

• A. An ALS assessment and document the patient is refusing transport Against Medical Advice (AMA)
• B. Notify the hospital security and wait for transport
• C. Obtain patient consent and call a supervisor
• D. Release the patient to self-transport without documentation

Answer: (A)

When a patient with a PDP-listed condition refuses transport, you must first perform an ALS-level assessment to evaluate the patient’s decision-making capacity and determine if they understand the risks and consequences of refusing care. If the patient appears to have the capacity to refuse, document the refusal clearly as Against Medical Advice (AMA), including what was explained, the patient’s understanding, the time, and any witnesses or witnesses if relevant. This pairing protects patient autonomy while ensuring proper medical-legal documentation and adherence to policy. Calling hospital security or waiting for transport isn’t appropriate when the patient explicitly refuses, and obtaining consent isn’t applicable because the patient is choosing to refuse. Releasing the patient to self-transport without documentation would be unsafe and contrary to policy.

When a patient with a PDP-listed condition refuses transport, you must first perform an ALS-level assessment to evaluate the patient’s decision-making capacity and determine if they understand the risks and consequences of refusing care. If the patient appears to have the capacity to refuse, document the refusal clearly as Against Medical Advice (AMA), including what was explained, the patient’s understanding, the time, and any witnesses or witnesses if relevant. This pairing protects patient autonomy while ensuring proper medical-legal documentation and adherence to policy.

Calling hospital security or waiting for transport isn’t appropriate when the patient explicitly refuses, and obtaining consent isn’t applicable because the patient is choosing to refuse. Releasing the patient to self-transport without documentation would be unsafe and contrary to policy.