MDA Paramedics Authorised to Pronounce Death of a Patient

Dr. Boaz Lev, Deputy to the Ministry of Health Director General, informed the Magen David Adom Director General that a Specialist Committee appointed to review this delicate matter have recommended that MDA trained Paramedics, certified by MDA Medical Director and who are actively working in MDA MICU’s, will be authorised to declare the death of a patient at the scene, according to strict regulations and protocols.

This signed approval is an innovating break through, recognising the highly skilled level of MDA Paramedics and the professional and accurate performance of the MDA Online Medical Supervision System.

Prior to this decision, MDA Paramedics had to call and wait for the arrival of a Doctor in order to declare the death of a patient, which is the case under most common regulations.

The decision will also relieve and assist the family members of the deceased, in a time of deep sorrow.

The modern Command & Control System operated by MDA provides live, online medical data from a “Corpuls3″ Monitor attached to the patient (a cellular SIM Card is installed in each unit) which is accessed by the Senior Doctor on duty at the MDA National Medical Supervision Center located at the National Medical Communication Center in Kiron.

In order to allow MDA paramedics to carefully study the new protocols, the practical implementation of this authorisation is dated 15th May 2012.