365416, 64E-2.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 365416

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Division:

Division of Environmental Health

Chapter:

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Overview

RULE:

64E-2.002	Basic Life Support Service License - Ground (Transferred)
64E-2.003	Advanced Life Support Service License - Ground (Transferred)
64E-2.004	Medical Direction (Transferred)
64E-2.005	Air Ambulances (Transferred)
64E-2.006	Neonatal Interfacility Transfers (Transferred)
64E-2.007	Vehicle Permits (Transferred)
64E-2.012	Drivers (Transferred)
64E-2.034	Inspections (Transferred)
64E-2.036	Training Programs (Transferred)

PURPOSE:

The goal of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is to ensure the delivery of a high level of emergency medical care to all citizens and visitors of the State of Florida.  The Bureau of EMS requires that the equipment of prehospital providers to be up-to-date, functional, and available.  Currently, the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) lists not only the required medications, supplies and equipment to be carried in each vehicle, but also the quantity.  To ensure proper equipment status, the Bureau of EMS conducts inspections of EMS service providers in accordance with Chapter 401, F.S. Deficiencies are documented and either corrected during the initial inspection visit or by the follow-up inspection.  
The Medical Care Committee of the EMS Advisory Council has recommended that the Bureau of EMS eliminate the detailed and quantitative medication and supplies lists.  In place of quantities, the recommendation is to focus on carrying the items necessary to accomplish the mission of EMS, tailoring the needs or each community, as identified by the Medical Director of each EMS provider; thus, allowing flexibility based on service population, EMS personnel, acute care facility availability, geographical variability, and research and development capabilities.

SUMMARY:

The purpose of this rule change is to update forms, renumber the medical equipment and supplies tables, remove outdated equipment, and add equipment that will improve the quality of care and outcomes of adult and pediatric patients.  This change will require all permitted ground and air transport vehicles, available for call, to maintain at least one of each item indicated on the equipment lists.  This will allow the local service’s medical director to increase the quantity required in order to best serve their community, and shift the inspections process to a Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement process to identify the needs of the community and the patient.  Medical Director involvement will also be enhanced, as the process will require periodic review and updating of medical protocols to improve outcomes. To aide with the Medical Director’s increased involvement, he/she will be required to attend additional training sessions to enhance skills that pertain to prehospital care.
EMS transport safety will also be enhanced by requiring all licensed providers, applying for an initial air ambulance aircraft permit, to submit a valid airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration for each permitted aircraft.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

381.0011, 383.19, 395.405, 401.121, 401.25, 401.251, 401.265, 401.27, 401.2715 401.272, 401.31, 401.35, 499.05 FS.

LAW:

381.001, 381.0011, 381.0205, 381.025, 383.15, 395.401, 395.4015, 395.402, 395.4025, 395.403, 395.404, 395.4045, 395.405, 401.23, 401.24, 401.25, 401.251, 401.252, 401.26, 401.265, 401.27, 401.2715, 401.281, 401.2915, 401.30, 401.31, 401.321, 401.34, 401.35, 401.41, 401.411, 401.414, 401.421, 499.005 FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

5/26/2006 Vol. 32/21

COMMENTS:

From 5/26/2006 To 6/16/2006 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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