What type of medical direction do standing orders and protocols describe?

Standing orders and protocols are what EMTs follow without having to contact a physician each time , which means they fall under indirect (off-line) medical direction .

In NREMT-based EMS systems, indirect medical oversight is provided through written protocols, policies, and standing orders developed by the medical director. These allow EMTs to deliver timely care in the field without delays, while still operating under physician authority.

A simple way to remember:

Indirect = written beforehand (protocols/standing orders)

Direct (on-line) = real-time orders via radio/phone