Who is typically responsible for authorizing standing protocol orders in NM EMS?

• A. On-scene physician.
• B. Nurse practitioner.
• C. Medical director.
• D. City council.

Answer: (C)

In EMS, the person who authorizes standing protocol orders is the Medical Director. These standing orders are pre-approved guidelines that allow providers to perform certain treatments and interventions without calling for on-line medical control for every decision, ensuring consistent, safe care across the system. The Medical Director oversees medical oversight of the EMS program, develops and updates protocols, and ensures they align with state regulations and the providers’ scope of practice. On-scene physicians can provide direct guidance through on-line medical control when needed, but they don’t authorize the system-wide standing orders. Nurse practitioners work within the established protocols and their scope but typically don’t authorize the standing orders for the entire EMS system. City council has no role in medical protocol authorization.