1. (a) The Office shall develop an emergency medical application to aid a trained user in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation to an individual reported to be exhibiting signs of cardiac arrest while emergency medical service providers are dispatched to the individual's location. At a minimum, the emergency medical application shall:

   1. (1) Notify a trained user that he or she is within a certain distance from an individual that is experiencing a cardiac arrest in a public location;
   2. (2) Notify a trained user of the nearest location of a publicly accessible defibrillator;
   3. (3) Assist emergency medical service providers in monitoring patients or relaying information to hospital emergency rooms; and
   4. (4) Allow a trained user to alert the Office if an individual is experiencing a health emergency.
2. (b) The Director shall ensure that staff are adequately trained to assist trained users in the use of the emergency medical application.

3. (c) Notwithstanding any other law, a trained user shall have the same protections as provided in § 7-401, and shall not be subject to criminal or, in the absence of gross negligence, civil liability for administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation or using an automated external defibrillator pursuant to this part:

   1. (1) In good faith to treat a person who he or she reasonably believes is experiencing a cardiac arrest;
   2. (2) Outside of a hospital or medical office; and
   3. (3) Without the expectation of receiving or intending to seek compensation for such service or acts.

4. (d) For the purposes of this section, the term:

   1. (1) "Emergency medical application" means a website or mobile platform where trained users can interact with the Office during medical emergencies.
   2. (2) "Trained user" means a District resident or visitor using an emergency medical application who has been trained by an organization recognized by the Department of Health to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a victim of a cardiac arrest.

History

Dec. 7, 2004, D.C. Law 15-205, § 3205a

Oct. 8, 2016, D.C. Law 21-160, § 3112