All medical cardiac arrest patients, except arrest due to hypothermia, will be transported to the nearest facility having continuous ACLS capability. Family request or insistence that a hospital be by-passed in this setting will not be honored. After stabilization, transport to another facility may occur if so desired by the attending physician and family.

The rational for this protocol is based on the continuously mounting evidence that prolongation of BLS and delay of ALS by further transport results in decreased survivability.

Approved by: Ruth Uphold MD 6/10/87 Medical Center Hospital of Vermont

Jim Duncan MD 6/12/87 Fanny Allen Hospital

Joan Carson RN 6/17/87 Vermont Ambulance District #3

Reviewed by committee July 1993