Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Rules

The N.C. Medical Care Commission is proposing amendments to 25 rules in the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Rules in 10A NCAC 13P for regulated entities for emergency medical services and trauma systems.

The proposed rules update Emergency Medical Systems (EMS) System requirements for a plan for two-way radio communication between a hospital and EMS providers, add requirements for EMS systems utilizing Emergency Medical Dispatch to maintain credentialed personnel in the state database, update ambulance requirements for two-way radio communications reflecting newer technology, remove two-way radio communications requirements from EMS ambulances that do not provide 911 Emergency services, and update Ambulance Manufacturing Standards to include recently released Remount Ambulances. The proposed rules clarify the requirements for the emergency medical dispatch priority reference system’s written plan, compliance data reporting, and peer review participation to be used for an approved emergency medical dispatcher program. The proposed rules update the requirements for the written operational protocols for specialty care transport programs and update the time period an approved specialty care transport program is not required to coincide with the agency license. The rules clarify the responsibilities of the medical director for EMS Systems and Specialty Care Transport Programs. The proposed rules clarify the time for submission of electronic patient care data to the N.C. Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) for air medical programs.

The proposed rules add a requirement for OEMS’ written examination for initial credentialing through legal recognition for applicants who completed the initial education course through an approved OEMS educational institution and remove Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation requirements beyond criteria defined by the Emergency Medical Dispatch Priority Reference System vendor. The rules revise the reinstatement timeframe and update the requirements for application for reinstatement of a lapsed credential. The proposed rules revise the written educational policies and procedures for advanced EMS educational institutions, add a requirement for notification to OEMS for a change in program coordinator or Medical Advisor, clarify the time frame for reapplication for initial designation of an EMS educational institution following denial, and clarify the timeframe for newly appointed program coordinators to complete the OEMS workshop requirement.

The proposed rules revise the site team composition for initial and renewal trauma center designation surveys and remove the six-month time frame for the site visit to clarify the agreed upon date for the site visit. The proposed rules add and clarify criteria for amending, denying, suspending, or revoking the credentials of EMS personnel and add a timeframe requirement for notification to the OEMS for violations by credentialed EMS personnel.

The proposed rules remove abbreviations and definitions that no longer apply and add abbreviations and definitions for clarification. In addition, the proposed rules remove requirements that no longer apply and make technical changes to update website addresses and rule references, clarify requirements and ambiguous language, correct rule text formatting, and update the cost for referenced documents.