# Base contact: common triggers

A quick check for medical-control contact before transport or escalation.

Population: Adult & pediatric. Scope: ALS.
Status: published. Source-linked OCEMS summary.
Summary updated: 2026-09-16.
Source checked: 2026-09-16.
Source version: Revised February 28, 2025 · Final implementation October 1, 2025.
Canonical page: https://www.ocmedic.com/guides/base-contact/
Official source: [310.00 — 9-1-1 Advanced Life Support Base Contact, Standing Order, and Transport Criteria](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2025-03/310.00%20ALS%20Base%20Contact%204-2025.pdf)

Independent OC Medic summary. Does not replace the complete policy, current system notices, or clinical judgment.

## Common triggers, not the full policy

- Contact is also appropriate whenever the patient would benefit. After contact, follow base orders. Use 310.00 and the applicable standing order for complete requirements.

## Source documents

- [310.00 — 9-1-1 Advanced Life Support Base Contact, Standing Order, and Transport Criteria](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2025-03/310.00%20ALS%20Base%20Contact%204-2025.pdf)
- [PR-230 — Preparation and Dosing of Push Dose Epinephrine - Adult/Adolescent](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2026-01/PR-230%20Push%20Dose%20Epi%201-2026.pdf)
- [PR-205 — Preparation and Dosing of Push Dose Epinephrine - Pediatric](https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/healthcare/files/2024-10/PR-205%20Peds%20Push%20Dose%20Epi%209-2024.pdf)

## Contact base when…

- The applicable standing order requires contact; do so before transport. Contact base when care beyond standing orders is needed.
- An adult is unstable without an applicable standing order: pulse below 50 or above 130, respirations below 12 or above 26, or systolic BP below 90.
- Specialty destination criteria apply, including stroke, trauma/replantation, burns, or cardiovascular receiving-center criteria.
- A patient requests refusal/AMA after an ALS procedure, or decision-making capacity/refusal criteria are uncertain.
- Field helicopter transport or MCI destination coordination requires contact; follow the policy’s MCI contact-point exception.

## Children younger than 15

- A pediatric-capable base (CCERC) is preferred. Triggers include respiratory distress, circulatory compromise, BRUE (even resolved), arrest/ROSC, drowning, suspected assault, trauma, or burns.
- Without an applicable standing order, unstable pediatric thresholds include pulse below 60 or above 200, respirations below 12 or above 50, or systolic BP below 80.

## Make the contact useful

- State the patient’s age, presenting problem, vital-sign trend, mental status, and why base contact is required. Include treatment and response when requesting further medical direction.
- For pediatric respiratory or circulatory compromise, a reported BRUE, arrest/ROSC, drowning, suspected abuse, or specialty destination needs, follow the pediatric contact provisions even if a symptom has resolved.

## Standing orders & subsequent care

- Standing orders apply to on-duty OCEMS-accredited paramedics working for approved providers. Need for treatment beyond the standing order calls for further online medical direction.
- After base contact, follow base orders. If contact is discontinued, 310.00 allows resuming the appropriate standing order.
- PR-230 effective April 2026 removes the adult push-dose epinephrine order/contact requirement for that procedure. PR-205 still requires a pediatric order; the two pathways must not be conflated.