House of Representatives

SB 1319

patient transport protocols; EMT

Sponsors: Senators Gerard and Bowers

DPA	Committee on Health
X	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

SB 1319 requires the Department of Health Services (DHS) to establish protocols that allow emergency medical providers to transport a patient to the most appropriate health care institution.

History

Current statute allows the Director of DHS to establish protocols allowing an Emergency Medical Services provider to refer, advise or transport patients to the most appropriate medical services provider based on the patient's condition. Formal protocols have yet to be adopted; however, the concern is having a non-emergency patient waiting in an overcrowded emergency room where resources are already scarce. Additionally, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have to stay with a patient at the emergency room until that person is admitted, so if the hospital has a backlog of patients, that ambulance is then unable to respond to other calls.

Provisions

· Requires the Director of DHS, in conjunction with the Medical Director of Emergency Medical Services and the Emergency Medical Services Council, to establish protocols in a situation where the patient's life is not in danger allowing EMTs of all levels to:

® Refer, advise or transport the patient to the most appropriate facility. When determining the facility, the EMTs may take into consideration factors such as patient preference, health care provider, specialized facilities and local protocols.

® Provide a list of alternative facilities for the patient.

¨ Contains an exemption from rule making.

¨ Specifies that the protocols must be adopted on or before 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

SB 1319 passed the Health Committee as follows:

· Makes technical changes.

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44th Legislature

Second Regular Session 2 March 27, 2001

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