0630.50 Medical Aid

Administrative Rules Adopted by Bureaus Pursuant to Rule Making Authority (ARB)
Policy number
PPB-0630.50
On this page

0630.50, Medical Aid

Refer:

  • 2021 Enrolled HB 2513 (HB 2513-A)
  • DIR 0630.40, Medical Service Policy
  • DIR 0635.10, Portland Police Bureau Response to Demonstrations and Events
  • DIR 0640.45, Emergency Medical Custody Transports
  • DIR 0730.00, Bureau Response to Active Violence Incidents
  • DIR 0850.10, Custody, Civil Holds
  • DIR 0870.20, Custody and Transportation of Subjects
  • DIR 0910.00, Use of Force Reporting, Review, and Investigation
  • DIR 1010.00, Use of Force
  • DIR 1015.00, Less Lethal Weapons
  • DIR 1200.00, Inspections, Maintenance, Responsibility and Authority

Definitions:

  • Hyperactive delirium with severe agitation: A presentation marked by disorientation and aggressive words and/or actions, and acute life-threatening medical condition requiring emergency medical treatment.
  • Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs): A pouch containing advanced first aid lifesaving supplies such as tourniquets, pressure dressings, occlusive dressings, hemostatic dressings, and trauma shears.

Policy:

1. Preserving life is a fundamental duty for law enforcement. The Bureau and its members are committed to fulfilling that duty. This policy establishes procedures and expectations for sworn members regarding medical aid, in accordance with applicable state laws.

Procedure:

1. Emergency Medical Aid.

1.1. Members shall provide emergency medical aid to ill or injured persons, to the extent they are currently trained, equipped, and able, under the following conditions:

1.1.1. Primary police duties have been accomplished:

1.1.1.1. Any immediate threat has been neutralized.

1.1.1.2. Dangerous subjects have been apprehended or have fled the immediate area.

1.1.1.3. And emergency medical services (EMS) have been requested by radio or telephone.

1.2 When the above conditions have been met, members shall provide emergency medical aid as needed, within the scope of their Bureau training and with the equipment they have available.

2. Restrained Persons Having Difficulty Breathing.

2.1. When members encounter a restrained person suffering a respiratory or cardiac compromise, they shall request EMS immediately if:

2.1.1. It is tactically feasible to request EMS; and

2.1.2. The member has access to communications.

3.Hyperactive Delirium with Severe Agitation.

3.1. When members encounter a person who they suspect is suffering from hyperactive delirium with severe agitation, they shall call for EMS as soon as possible.

3.2. Signs and symptoms include, but are not limited to: disorientation, aggressive words and/or actions, thrashing movements, inexplicable nudity, lack of tiring, incoherent speech, and attraction to reflective surfaces.

4. Additional Requirements for Post-Force Medical Aid.

4.1. Members shall request EMS as soon as possible after using force on a person who:

4.1.1. Is injured;

4.1.2. Complains of injury;

4.1.3. Is a child who is known to be, or obviously under age fifteen (15);

4.1.4. Is known to be or obviously pregnant;

4.1.5. Is known to be or obviously medically fragile.

4.2. Members shall continuously monitor the person for changes in skin or lip color, breathing, and levels of consciousness. If the person’s condition worsens, the member shall immediately notify EMS.

4.3. Members shall inform EMS of the person’s known injuries, disclosed medical condition, complaint of pain or injury, or loss of consciousness.

4.4. If EMS determines that a person does not require ambulance transport and a member transports the person to jail or another holding facility, the member shall inform the receiving staff of the person’s known injuries, disclosed medical condition, complaint of pain or injury, or loss of consciousness and provide any EMS-provided release documents.

4.5. When transporting a person from hospital treatment to a correctional facility, members shall notify corrections staff of the person’s known injuries, disclosed medical condition, complaint of pain or injury, or loss of consciousness, and provide the corrections staff with any hospital-provided release documents.

4.6. If a person complains of or appears to be experiencing respiratory distress (e.g., positional asphyxia), members shall perform the following as soon as possible:

4.6.1. If a member’s body weight is impeding a subject’s breathing, the member shall remove their body weight.

4.6.2. Request EMS.

4.6.3. Check and continue to monitor the person’s breathing and pulse until EMS arrives.

4.6.4. If medically appropriate, place the person in a seated position or position the person on their side to facilitate breathing.

4.7. CEW Procedures.

4.7.1. When a CEW is deployed in probe mode:

4.7.1.1. If the probes are embedded in the skin, members shall request Portland Fire and Rescue for removal and any necessary medical treatment.

4.7.1.1.1. If they are outside of Portland Fire and Rescue’s response area, members shall contact the applicable fire department or EMS for the location.

4.7.1.2. When probe removal is the only medical treatment needed, members should advise the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) that only Portland Fire and Rescue, not EMS, are needed.

4.7.2. When a member uses a CEW on a person in drive stun mode and no probes are deployed, EMS is not required on the scene unless medical treatment is otherwise necessary.

4.7.2.1. Members shall request EMS if the CEW is deployed in drive stun mode on a person in a prohibited category (i.e., children under the age of fifteen; an individual who is known to be, or is obviously pregnant; a person who is known to be, or is obviously medically fragile).

4.8. Handheld and Launched Chemical Incapacitant Procedures.

4.8.1. After using handheld or launched chemical incapacitants:

4.8.1.1. Unless the person refuses by words or action, members shall make a reasonable effort to relocate that affected individual to a safe area, if necessary, and ensure they are exposed to fresh air.

4.8.1.2. Members shall notify the receiving agency of handheld chemical incapacitant exposure and monitor the condition of the exposed individual they take into custody. If the individual’s condition appears to worsen while in the member’s custody, the member shall notify medical personnel.

5. Medical Supplies.

5.1. Medical supplies shall be readily accessible to all members. Supplies are based on the types of injuries that could occur at the place of employment.

5.2. One properly marked and sealed IFAK shall be available in each police vehicle.

5.2.1. Members who use or open an IFAK, or find an IFAK with a broken seal in a vehicle, shall give the IFAK to their RU manager or designee and obtain a replacement for the vehicle.

5.3. First Aid supplies shall be available on each floor of all Bureau facilities.

5.4. Signs stating the location of First Aid supplies shall be posted in conspicuous locations within work areas.

5.5. RU managers are responsible for the annual inspection, maintenance, inventory, and condition of IFAKs and First Aid supplies. IFAKs shall be inspected at the time of fleet inspections.

5.6. Members shall only use medical supplies they are trained to use and that are approved by the Bureau Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) Committee.

Effective: 12/15/2022

Next Review: 12/15/2024

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