Summary

Sponsor: Senator Shugars
Topic: Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services

This bill amends a number of sections of 1978 PA 368, the Public Health Code. It adds a number of definitions, including clinical preceptor, ongoing education program sponsor, and professional standard review organization. Also, it clarifies the definition of an emergency patient. The bill also mandates random inspection of life support vehicles. If a vehicle is found to not be in compliance with the regulations placed on life support vehicles, it must be brought up to standard within the next 24 hours. This bill also stresses that there needs to be a close working relationship between the Department of Consumer and Industry Services and the Emergency Medical Services Coordination Committee, especially when developing rules. The two entities must also work together to develop and implement standards for all education program sponsors. In addition, the Emergency Medical Services Coordination Committee will be given the authority to decided the fate of any appeals brought to it, as opposed to serving as an advisor to the department. Finally, the committee will also be responsible for advising the department when curriculum requirements and minimum standards change.

In addition to hospitals, freestanding surgical outpatient facilities can participate in the activities of the local medical control authority, as long as they are licensed under part 208 of this act. The local medical control authority will be responsible for developing and adopting protocols concerning a number of areas including a quality improvement program, an appeals process, and guidelines regarding the accountability of life support agencies and personnel. Any appeals that come to local committees will be decided on by the state wide emergency medical services coordination committee. Depending on their decision, CIS can issue a compliance order.

Upon renewal of an ambulance license, aircraft transport vehicle, or non transport pre-hospital life support vehicle, no inspection is required. The receipt of the application serves to attest to the compliance of the vehicle. The department will be responsible for administering exams for EMTs and medical first responders. It will also have to develop an exam for Emergency Medical Services Instructors/Coordinators. These licenses will have to be renewed after three years. If an applicant for renewal fails to provide the department with a change of address there is a $20 fee applicable.

Finally, unless you can prove gross negligence or willful misconduct, no education program sponsor, director, instructor, life support agency or officer, or the medical control authority can be held liable for the treatment of a patient.