For interfacility transports, who is the medical control contact?

• A. The physician at the receiving facility
• B. The nurse on duty
• C. The on-call cardiologist
• D. The EMS Medical Director

Answer: (A)

In interfacility transports, the person providing direct medical control for the patient is the physician at the receiving facility. This physician reviews the patient’s condition, approves or adjusts orders, and directs care during the transfer and at arrival. The EMS Medical Director oversees overall program policies and clinical standards, but does not provide day-to-day, patient-specific orders for every transfer. The nurse on duty or an on-call cardiologist may be involved for particular clinical issues, yet they are not the standard medical control contact for the transfer as a rule. Therefore, the receiving facility’s physician is the appropriate medical control contact.