What should the EMR do with the placenta after it delivers?

After the delivery of the placenta, it is crucial for the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) to appropriately manage the placenta due to its significance in medical care. The correct practice is to wrap the placenta and transport it with the mother. This ensures that the healthcare provider who will provide postpartum care has access to the placenta for examination. This is important for identifying any retained tissue and monitoring the mother’s recovery, as well as assessing for any complications such as hemorrhage or infection.

Transporting it with the mother gives the medical team valuable information for maternal health, as the inspection of the placenta can help identify abnormalities. It may also be needed for legal reasons or further medical evaluation.

In contrast, other approaches, such as discarding it in a biohazard bag, would disregard the need for medical evaluation or necessary documentation. Placing it in a designated cooler or leaving it with the delivery team is also not appropriate in the context of EMR practices, as they may not be equipped to handle or transport the placenta in such scenarios. Proper handling and transporting of the placenta reflect best practices in emergency medical response and contribute to comprehensive care for the mother post-delivery.