What must be done before releasing any patient who refuses ALS assessment and treatment?

Before releasing a patient who refuses Advanced Life Support (ALS) assessment and treatment, it is essential to contact the base. This step is crucial because it ensures that the medical team is aware of the patient's refusal and can provide additional guidance or support regarding the situation. The base hospital might give specific protocols to follow or suggest the appropriate steps to take to ensure that the patient's decision is informed and that proper procedures are adhered to for legal and safety reasons.

Engaging the base allows healthcare providers to verify that the patient has been adequately informed about the implications of refusing treatment and confirms that the refusal is documented properly, even if that documentation is a separate task. This measure also protects the healthcare provider from liability and ensures that patient care is in line with medical protocols and legal requirements. Thus, contacting the base is a critical step in the process of managing a patient who has opted out of ALS services.