R426-4-500. Scene and Patient Management

  (1) Designated emergency medical service dispatch centers shall use a selective medical dispatch system to determine which licensed ambulance provider will be notified for patient transport.

  (2) When responding to a medical emergency call, EMS personnel shall follow protocols approved by the service provider's medical director, and act within their scope of practice.

  (3) EMS personnel shall establish communication with on-line medical control as soon as reasonable.

  (4) Licensed Paramedic tactical service provider may only function at the invitation of the local or state public safety authority. When called upon for assistance, the licensed tactical paramedic provider shall immediately notify the local emergency medical service dispatch center to coordinate patient transportation.

  (5) Patients who are to be transferred to a different hospital, patient receiving facility, or mental health facility may be delayed by the licensed ambulance provider for severe weather, hazardous conditions, or any other situation that may endanger the safety of the EMS personnel, employed staff, the person being transported, or the public.

  (a) Severe weather should be evaluated based on the licensed ambulance provider's written policies. Policies for weather assessment should be shared with hospitals and other receiving facilities in the geographical service area. During periods of severe weather, the transport should be delayed until the transportation risks are acceptable. The licensed providers shall maintain a weather assessment policy.

  (b) When EMS personnel are not immediately able to respond due to unusual demands with other events, the licensed ambulance provider shall communicate the delay with the transferring hospital or facility. Additionally, the transferring hospital or facility should notify the receiving hospital facility, or mental health facility regarding the delay. Communications shall provide an estimated response time. The licensed ambulance provider is responsible to coordinate with the discharging facility an acceptable delay period or make reasonable attempts to arrange the transport with another licensed ambulance provider.

  (6) Personnel shall be evaluated by the licensed ambulance provider for fatigue as to reduce possibilities of accidents while driving. If the licensed ambulance provider determines that personnel have fatigue to the point of compromised ability to drive or perform medical skills, the licensed ambulance shall discuss transport options with the transferring facility. Additionally, the transferring facility should notify the delay to the receiving facility. Options may include a possible transport delay, or assistance through mutual agreements.