System Memo #444 Issued
October 15, 2026
NWC EMSS has revised Policies D-5, Illinois POLST and Advance Directive Guidelines, and C-6, EMS Controlled Substance Program, in response to recent policy and statutory changes affecting EMS practice. These revisions clarify EMS personnel responsibilities, provide guidance regarding the Illinois End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, and address controlled-substance wasting, disposal, documentation, and chain-of-custody procedures when interacting with receiving hospitals. All EMS agencies
and personnel are asked to review the revisions and ensure their practices are consistent with the updated policies.
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