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SPECIAL POPULATIONS

TREATMENT OF MINORS

INDICATIONS:
Responding to treat a minor patient without a parent or legal guardian representative available.
For the purpose of these guidelines, all patients under age 18 years will be considered minors.
Medical aircrew and medical directors should consult unit rules of engagement and applicable
laws and adjust accordingly.
PATIENT MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE:
1. Treatment and transport of any minor requiring immediate care to save a life or prevent
severe injury will be performed following the principle of implied consent for emergency
care. (Assume any minor who needs treatment to save life, limb, eyesight, or to prevent
severe injury has provided consent to treatment.)
2. ALWAYS act in the patient’s best interest. ALWAYS maintain complete and careful
documentation.
3. If the parent or guardian is present, follow these guidelines:
a. Allow one (1) parent to accompany the child during transport after approval of the
pilot in command (PC) and if it does not interfere with patient care or flight safety.
b. In event of major trauma and/or cardiac arrest, judgment should be exercised in
allowing parents to accompany the child. Recent evidence supports this practice in
emergency departments and some EMS settings, but care should be exercised to
maintain crew safety and mission accomplishment.
c. Allow the parent to hold or touch the child, if possible, while assuring optimal
transport restraints to assure safety.
d. Remember to be open and honest to both parent and child about the child’s
condition and any treatment given. DO NOT diagnose, DO NOT deceive, and DO try
to comfort the child and parent.
4. In many jurisdictions, parent or legal guardians CANNOT refuse consent for
treatment/transport of a minor with a life-threatening condition. Contact your medical
director in the event of the parent/guardian refusing treatment/transport of a minor with a
life-threatening condition.

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