The clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are the medical policies of BC Emergency Health Services and establish the standard of care for out-of-hospital care providers in B.C.
The BC Ambulance Service (BCAS) is operated by BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), which has responsibility and authority to provide services related to emergency health and ambulance services in British Columbia, excluding those governed by Work Safe BC in the context of occupational first aid.
All guidance provided in the clinical practice guidelines handbook supports thoughtful provision of care by professionals rather than routine following of flowcharts or protocols. Paramedics are continually developing their practice, and these guidelines support that journey. All other clinical policy or practice developed by other agencies providing out-of-hospital responder services in B.C. is expected to be consistent with the principles of care and interventions identified in the BCEHS clinical practice guidelines.
The methodology used by BCEHS to develop the clinical practice guidelines aligns with established academic tools designed for guideline development. These tools provide a structured framework to inform development strategy, assess guideline quality, and identify best practice for guideline presentation and usability.
The BCEHS CPGs are further supported by dedicated paramedic practice leaders, subject matter experts, and BCEHS physicians, who contribute clinical expertise and oversight throughout guideline development, review, and ongoing revision.
BCEHS has developed clinical guidelines to support paramedics in their practice, aligned with relevant patient presentations. The evidence underpinning clinical practice is informed by the pre-hospital evidence-based practice hosted by Dalhousie University. BCEHS paramedics and physicians contribute to this work as official appraisers, directly informing and strengthening local practice.
BCEHS also collaborates with and exchanges learning with national and international EMS partners, reviewing external guidelines and emerging evidence to strengthen best practice, support consistency across jurisdictions, and drive continuous improvement in patient care.
The BCEHS CPGs were released on May 25, 2021 however ongoing stewardship of the guidelines is provided by a multidisciplinary committee comprised of paramedics, first responders, physicians, and educators. The guidelines are now maintained through a rolling update model, allowing revisions to be incorporated as evidence evolves and clinical practice advances.
The CPGs are further supported by the BCEHS specific Scope of Practice, ensuring clear alignment with the authorized roles and responsibilities of all clinicians. A comprehensive review of the full guideline suite is planned for 2026 and will be supported by a structured communications plan to ensure awareness of significant updates across the system.
The
BCEHS Clinical Practice Guidelines can be accessed online or via the BCEHS Handbook
iOS or
Android apps. Please note, some sections of the guidelines are not public-facing because they are only approved for use by BCEHS paramedics following specific BCEHS internal education.
Last updated: March 2026
