Section R9-25-504. Protocol for Selection of a Health Care Institu- tion for Transport

A.      Except as provided in subsection (B), an EMCT shall transport a patient accessing emergency medical services through a call to 9-1-1 or a similar public emergency dispatch number to:

1.        An emergency receiving facility, or

2.        A  special  hospital  that  is  physically  connected   to  an emergency receiving facility.

B.       Under A.R.S. §§ 36-2205(D) and 36-2232(F), an EMCT who responds to a call made to 9-1-1 or a similar public emergency dispatch number may refer, advise, or transport the patient at the scene to a health care institution other than a health care institution specified in subsection (A), if the EMCT deter- mines that:

1.        The patient’s condition does not pose an immediate threat to life or limb, based on medical direction; and

2.        The health care institution is the most appropriate for the patient, based on the following:

a.         The patient’s:

i.         Medical condition,

ii.        Choice of health care institution, and

iii.      Health care provider;

b.        The location of the health care institution and the emergency medical resources available at the health care institution; and

c.         A determination by the administrative medical director that the health care institution is able to accept and capable of treating the patient.

C.      Before initiating transport of a patient accessing emergency medical services through a call to 9-1-1 or a similar public emergency dispatch number, an EMCT, emergency medical services provider, or ambulance service shall:

1.        Notify, by radio or telephone communication, a health care institution that is not an emergency receiving facility of the EMCT’s intent to transport the patient to the health care institution; and

2.        Receive confirmation of the willingness of the health care institution to accept the patient.

D.      An EMCT transporting a patient accessing emergency medical services through a call to 9-1-1 or a similar public emergency dispatch number to a health care institution that is not an emer- gency receiving facility shall transfer care of the patient to a designee authorized by:

1.        A physician,

2.        A registered nurse practitioner,

3.        A physician assistant, or

4.        A registered nurse.

E.       An emergency medical services provider or an ambulance ser- vice that implements this rule shall make available for Depart- ment review and inspection written records relating to the transport of a patient under subsections (B), (C), and (D).

Historical Note

Adopted effective October 15, 1996 (Supp. 96-4). Section repealed by final rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 5372, effective January 3, 2004 (Supp. 03-4). New R9-25-504 recodified from R9-25-804 at 10 A.A.R. 4192, effective September 21, 2004 (Supp. 04-3). Amended by exempt rulemaking

at 14 A.A.R. 3124, effective July 9, 2008 (Supp. 08-3). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 4032, effective December 1, 2013 (Supp. 13-4). Amended by final exempt rulemaking, pursuant to Laws 2014, Ch. 233, § 5 at 20 A.A.R. 3554, effective January 1, 2015

(Supp. 14-4).