Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-3.5-209

Current through Acts effective through 7/1/2024 of the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 25-3.5-209 - Use of ketamine in prehospital setting when peace officer is present - definition
(1)
(a) When a peace officer is present at the scene of an emergency, an emergency medical service provider authorized to administer ketamine in a prehospital setting shall only administer ketamine if the provider has:
(I) Weighed the individual to ensure accurate dosage. If the emergency medical service provider is unable to weigh the individual, the emergency medical service provider shall, prior to the administration of ketamine:
(A) Estimate the individual's weight, and at least two personnel who are trained in weight assessments must agree with the weight assessment; and
(B) Attempt to obtain a verbal order from the emergency medical service provider's medical director or their designee, unless there is a verifiable reason the emergency medical service provider cannot obtain a verbal order.
(II) Training in the administration of ketamine, including training to ensure appropriate dosage based on the weight of the individual;
(III) Training in advanced airway support techniques;
(IV) Equipment available to manage respiratory depression; and
(V) Equipment available to immediately monitor the vital signs of the individual receiving ketamine and the ability to respond to any adverse reactions.
(b) The medical director of an agency that has a waiver to administer ketamine shall develop any necessary training for emergency medical service providers pursuant to this subsection (1).
(2) An emergency medical service provider who administers ketamine shall:
(a) Provide urgent transport to the individual receiving ketamine; and
(b) Record any complications arising out of such administration, including but not limited to apnea, laryngospasm, hypoxia, hypertension, hypotension, seizure, and cardiac arrest.
(3) Absent a justifiable medical emergency, an emergency medical service provider shall not administer ketamine in a prehospital setting to subdue, sedate, or chemically incapacitate an individual for alleged or suspected criminal, delinquent, or suspicious conduct.
(4) If an emergency medical service provider does not comply with the provisions of this section, such noncompliance is considered misconduct, as defined in section 25-3.5-205(5)(b).

C.R.S. § 25-3.5-209

Added by 2021 Ch. 450,§2, eff. 7/6/2021.
L. 2021: Entire section added, (HB 21-1251), ch. 2958, p. 2958, § 2, effective July 6.