Health, Family Health and Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services

Rule R426-13

Emergency Medical Services Provider Designations

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Repeal)

DAR File No.: 36984
Filed: 10/23/2012 12:11:05 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this filing is to fulfill the Governor's mandate for rule review and simplification.

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule change eliminates redundancy, provides sequential numbering, and reflects best practice updates for all aspects of the Emergency Medical Services Act (Title 26, Chapter 8a).

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Title 26, Chapter 8a

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

No anticipated fiscal impact to the state budget because there are no changes in the rule requirements that are imposed by these amendments.

local governments:

No anticipated fiscal impact to local governments because there are no changes in the rule requirements that are imposed by these amendments.

small businesses:

No anticipated fiscal impact to small businesses because there are no changes in the rule requirements that are imposed by these amendments.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

No anticipated fiscal impact to businesses because there are no changes in the rule requirements that are imposed by these amendments.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

No anticipated fiscal impact for affected persons because there are no changes in the rule requirements that are imposed by these amendments.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

In response to the Governor's Executive Order to examine all administrative rules and reduce regulatory impact that may be inhibiting economic growth, the rules governing Emergency Medical Services providers are being repealed, simplified and reenacted. Fiscal impact is expected to be positive for business as the requirements are streamlined and updated.

David Patton, PhD, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Health
Family Health and Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services
3760 S HIGHLAND DR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84106

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Guy Dansie at the above address, by phone at 801-273-6671, by FAX at 801-273-4165, or by Internet E-mail at gdansie@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

12/17/2012

This rule may become effective on:

12/24/2012

Authorized by:

David Patton, Executive Director

R426. Health, Family Health and Preparedness, Emergency Medical Services.

[R426-13. Emergency Medical Services Provider Designations.

R426-13-100. Authority and Purpose.

This rule is established under Title 26, Chapter 8a. It establishes standards for the designation of emergency medical service providers.

 

R426-13-200. Designation Types.

(1)(a) An entity that provides pre-hospital emergency medical care, but that does not provide ambulance transport or paramedic service, may obtain a designation from the Department as a quick response unit.

(b) An entity that accepts calls for 911 EMS assistance from the public, and dispatches emergency medical vehicles and field EMS personnel must first obtain a designation from the Department as an emergency medical dispatch center.

(2) A hospital that provides on-line medical control for prehospital emergency care must first obtain a designation from the Department as a resource hospital.

 

R426-13-300. Service Levels.

A quick response unit may only operate and perform the skills at the service level at which it is designated. The Department may issue designations for the following types of service at the given levels:

(a) quick response unit;

(i) Basic; and

(ii) Intermediate.

(b) emergency medical dispatch center; and

(c) resource hospital.

 

R426-13-400. Quick Response Unit Minimum Designation Requirements.

A quick response unit must meet the following minimum requirements:

(1) Have sufficient vehicles, equipment, and supplies that meet the requirements of this rule and as may be necessary to carry out its responsibilities under its designation;

(2) Have locations for stationing its vehicles;

(3) Have a current dispatch agreement with a public safety answering point that answers and responds to 911 or E911 calls, or with a local single access public safety answering point that answers and responds to requests for emergency assistance;

(4) Have a Department-certified training officer;

(5) Have a current plan of operations, which shall include:

(a) the number, training, and certification of personnel;

(b) operational procedures; and

(c) a description of how the designee proposes to interface with other EMS agencies;

(6) Have sufficient trained and certified staff that meet the requirements of R426-15 Licensed and Designated provider Operations;

(7) Have a current agreement with a Department-certified off-line medical director;

(8) Have current treatment protocols approved by the agencies off-line medical director for the designated service level;

(9) Provide the Department with a copy of its certificate of insurance; and

(10) Not be disqualified for any of the following reasons:

(a) violation of Subsection 26-8a-504; or

(b) a history of disciplinary action relating to an EMS license, permit, designation or certification in this or any other state.

 

R426-13-500. Emergency Medical Dispatch Center Minimum Designation Requirements.

An emergency medical dispatch center must:

(1) Have in effect a selective medical dispatch system approved by the off-line medical directors and the Department, which includes:

(a) systemized caller interrogation questions;

(b) systemized pre-arrival instructions; and

(c) protocols matching the dispatcher's evaluation of injury or illness severity with vehicle response mode and configuration;

(2) Have a current updated plan of operations, which shall include:

(a) the number, training, and certification of Emergency Medical Dispatch personnel;

(b) operational procedures; and

(c) a description of how the designee proposes to communicate with EMS agencies;

(3) Have a certified off-line medical director;

(4) have an ongoing medical call review quality assurance program; and

(5) provide pre-hospital arrival instructions by a certified Emergency Medical Dispatcher at all times.

 

R426-13-600. Quick Response Unit and Emergency Medical Dispatch Center Application.

An entity desiring a designation or a renewal of its designation as a quick response unit or an emergency medical dispatch center shall submit the applicable fees and an application on Department-approved forms to the Department. As part of the application, the applicant shall submit documentation that it meets the minimum requirements for the designation listed in this rule and the following:

(1) Identifying information about the entity and its principals;

(2) The name of the person or governmental entity financially and otherwise responsible for the service provided by the designee and documentation from that entity accepting the responsibility;

(3) Identifying information about the entity that will provide the service and its principals;

(4) If the applicant is not a governmental entity, a statement of type of entity and certified copies of the documents creating the entity;

(5) A description of the geographical area that it will serve;

(6) Documentation of the on-going medical call review and quality assurance program;

(7) Documentation of any modifications to the medical dispatch protocols; and

(8) Other information that the Department determines necessary for the processing of the application and the oversight of the designated entity.

 

R426-13-700. Resource Hospital Minimum Requirements.

A resource hospital must meet the following minimum requirements:

(1) Be licensed in Utah or another state as a general acute hospital or be a Veteran's Administration hospital operating in Utah;

(2) Have protocols for providing on-line medical direction to pre-hospital emergency medical care providers;

(3) Have the ability to communicate with other EMS providers operating in the area; and

(4) Be willing and able to provide on-line medical direction to quick response units, ambulance services and paramedic services operating within the state;

 

R426-13-800. Resource Hospital Application.

A hospital desiring to be designated as a resource hospital shall submit the applicable fees and an application on Department-approved forms to the Department. As part of the application, the applicant shall provide:

(1) The name of the hospital to be designated;

(2) The hospital's address;

(3) The name and phone number of the individual who supervises the hospital's responsibilities as a designated resource hospital; and

(4) Other information that the Department determines necessary for the processing of the application and the oversight of the designated entity.

 

R426-13-900. Criteria for Denial of Designation.

(1) The Department may deny an application for a designation for any of the following reasons:

(a) failure to meet requirements as specified in the rules governing the service;

(b) failure to meet vehicle, equipment, or staffing requirements;

(c) failure to meet requirements for renewal or upgrade;

(d) conduct during the performance of duties relating to its responsibilities as an EMS provider that is contrary to accepted standards of conduct for EMS personnel described in Sections 26-8a-502 and 26-8a-504;

(e) failure to meet agreements covering training standards or testing standards;

(f) a history of disciplinary action relating to a license, permit, designation, or certification in this or any other state;

(g) a history of criminal activity by the licensee or its principals while licensed or designated as an EMS provider or while operating as an EMS service with permitted vehicles;

(h) falsifying or misrepresenting any information required for licensure or designation or by the application for either;

(i) failure to pay the required designation or permitting fees or failure to pay outstanding balances owed to the Department;

(j) failure to submit records and other data to the Department as required by statute or rule;

(k) misuse of grant funds received under Section 26-8a-207; and

(l) violation of OSHA or other federal standards that it is required to meet in the provision of the EMS service.

(2) An applicant who has been denied a designation may request a Department review by filing a written request for reconsideration within thirty calendar days of the issuance of the Department's denial.

 

R426-13-1000. Application Review and Award.

(1) If the Department finds that an application for designation is complete and that the applicant meets all requirements, it may approve the designation.

(2) Issuance of a designation by the Department is contingent upon the applicant's demonstration of compliance with all applicable rules and a successful Department quality assurance review.

(3) A designation may be issued for up to a four-year period. The Department may alter the length of the designation to standardize renewal cycles.

 

R426-13-1100. Change in Service Level.

(1) A quick response unit EMT-Basic may apply to provide a higher level of service at the EMT-Intermediate service level by:

(a) submitting the applicable fees; and

(b) submitting an application on Department-approved forms to the Department.

(2) As part of the application, the applicant shall provide:

(a) a copy of the new treatment protocols for the higher level of service approved by the off-line medical director;

(b) an updated plan of operations demonstrating the applicant's ability to provide the higher level of service; and

(c) a written assessment of the performance of the applicant's field performance by the applicant's off-line medical director.

(3) If the Department finds that the applicant has demonstrated the ability to provide the upgraded service, it shall issue a new designation reflecting the higher level of service.

 

R426-13-1300. Penalties.

As required by Subsection 63G-3-201(5): Any person that violates any provision of this rule may be assessed a civil money penalty not to exceed the sum of $10,000 for each occurrence as provided in Section 26-23-6.

 

KEY: emergency medical services

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: December 15, 2009

Notice of Continuation: July 28, 2009

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26-8a]