DAR File No. 27521

Health, Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services

R426-13

Emergency Medical Services Provider Designations

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 27521
Filed: 11/02/2004, 01:52
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This proposed amendment ensures and requires standardized training and caller response procedures in all Emergency Medical Dispatch Centers in Utah. It also requires certified dispatchers in Emergency Medical Dispatch Centers.

Summary of the rule or change:

This amendment requires all dispatch centers that are designated as Emergency Medical Dispatch Centers to utilize certified emergency medical dispatchers. It also allows a six-month period for new dispatchers to become certified.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Title 26, Chapter 8a

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

No anticipated costs or savings to State budget because certifying the additional dispatchers will be covered within existing funds and the certification fees collected.

local governments:

No anticipated costs or savings to local government budgets because certifying the additional dispatchers will be covered within existing funds and the certification fees collected.

other persons:

It is anticipated that most of the dispatch agencies will cover the costs for their respective employees. However, the number not covered by their employers is uncertain. If no dispatch agency pays for any of their employees, the cost because of this rulemaking and companion amendments to Rule R426-15 may range up to $37,000. (DAR NOTE: The proposed amendment to R426-15 is under DAR No. 27522 in this issue.)

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Costs to Emergency Medical Dispatch Centers that choose to pay employee costs may be up to $32 per person. This includes background check and applicable testing fees and certification processing fees. Costs to train and educate dispatchers for certification average between $100 and $185 per person in the open market and may be less if trained in-house by the dispatch agency.

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

To ensure adequate training and standardized caller response procedures in all Emergency Medical Dispatch Centers in Utah, this rule proposes to mandate a minimum level of training for all dispatchers in designated centers. The businesses impacted by this change have been involved in developing the rule. The cost is minimal compared to the benefit this training provides. Scott D. Williams, MD

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

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Don Wood at the above address, by phone at 801-538-6287, by FAX at 801-538-6808, or by Internet E-mail at donwood@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:

01/03/2005

This rule may become effective on:

01/04/2005

Authorized by:

Scott D. Williams, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R426. Health, Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services.

R426-13. Emergency Medical Services Provider Designations.

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 [may]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.

(3) Emergency Medical Dispatch centers that provide pre-arrival medical instructions to a caller may only provide them through a certified EMD.

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 EMD 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;[ and]

([4]3) [H]have an ongoing medical call review quality assurance program; and

(4) sufficient staff to provide pre-hospital arrival instructions by a certified EMD at all times.

KEY: emergency medical services

[January 1, 2004]2005

Notice of Continuation October 1, 2004

26-8a

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Don Wood at the above address, by phone at 801-538-6287, by FAX at 801-538-6808, or by Internet E-mail at donwood@utah.gov

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.