Which term refers to the protocols developed by medical directors for care?

• A. System Design
• B. On-Line Medical Control
• C. Medical Control Guidelines
• D. Field Triage

Answer: (C)

Written, standardized protocols established by medical directors to guide patient care form the Medical Control Guidelines. These guidelines specify what treatments are approved, how to dose medications, when to perform procedures, and how to monitor and escalate care. They create consistency and safety in day-to-day EMS practice, even when there isn’t a physician on the line for real-time orders. In contrast, On-Line Medical Control refers to live, real-time directions from a physician during an individual encounter, which is separate from the standing protocols described by the guidelines.