Oxygen should be administered to those patients where these protocols indicate it is “mandatory”.
a. Oxygen may also be administered to any patient that EMS personnel feel would benefit from it.
Any patient receiving oxygen should have O2 saturation monitoring initiated.
For most situations, you should utilize a nasal cannula at 4 L/minute.
a. If the patient’s O2 saturation decreases OR he presents with an O2 saturation of < 90%, apply a non-rebreather mask at 15 L/minute.
b. In any case, providers should attempt to maintain an oxygen saturation > 94%.
Monitor for the possibility of vomiting and aspiration.
If O2 saturation continues falling, contact Medical Control and consider need for intubation.