Discussion on the 2026 Maryland EMS Protocol Updates, Part 1, with Jennifer Anders, MD

But, Doc, let's lead off with probably the smallest change in the pediatric and probably one of the smaller changes in the protocols overall is the change to the abuse and neglect protocol.

We now have a new phone number instead of just calling generic CPS or APS numbers.

What was the driving force in us having this centralized number?

So the key there is just to simplify things.

the process for everybody.

And EMS is going along with the whole rest of everybody from school teachers to social workers to

physicians in their offices.

But there is a certain barrier when you have to chase down

county CPS

number.

And there is also a barrier that depending on what county, what part of the state you live in, sometimes those numbers are answered more efficiently in the In certain areas than in others, I'll just say having the joy of working in Baltimore City, sometimes

it can be a trial.

So by having a statewide number, it's a clearinghouse.

It is a much simpler way that everybody can call in, leave the report, and know that it's in the proper hands.

And from that single call line, it will get routed to

the

people who need to know to take the next actions.

So this is basically a collection and then it goes out to the different city or county municipality that needs to handle said resource.

It's not

exactly,

you have to call them and then call county city APS CPS.

Correct.

Correct.

So

sometimes it gets a little bit confusing with, uh, with child abuse cases.