Authority: IC 16-31-2-7; IC 16-31-3-20

Affected: IC 4-21.5-1

Sec. 4. (a) Each provider organization shall maintain accurate records concerning the emergency care provided to each patient within the state as well as the following:

1. (1) All advanced life support fixed-wing ambulance service provider organizations shall utilize a patient care transport record.
2. (2) All advanced life support fixed-wing ambulance provider organizations shall maintain accurate records under 836 IAC 1-1- 5.

(b) Premises shall be maintained, suitable to the conduct of a fixed-wing air ambulance service, with provision for adequate storage or maintenance, or both, of fixed-wing ambulances and the on-board equipment.

(c) Each fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization shall have a periodic maintenance program as outlined for each specific aircraft certified by the commission in compliance with F.A.A. and manufacturer's service recommendations (MSR) guidelines as a minimum to assure that each fixed-wing ambulance, including equipment, is maintained in good, safe working condition.

(d) All fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization premises, records, and fixed-wing ambulances shall be made available for inspection by the agency at any time during regularly scheduled business hours.

(e) A determination of noncompliance with F.A.R. may result in immediate suspension of commission certification as a fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization.

(f) Each fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization shall make available to the commission for inspection at place of operation during regular business hours any manual of operations required under F.A.R.

(g) Commission certification as a fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization may be terminated upon the date specified in the notice.

(h) Each fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization shall establish equipment checklist procedures to ensure the following:

1. (1) Electronic and mechanical equipment are in proper operating condition.
2. (2) Fixed-wing ambulances shall be maintained in safe operating conditions at all times.
3. (3) Emergency patient care equipment required for fixed-wing ambulance certification is maintained in minimum quantities either directly on board the fixed-wing ambulance or available at the time of patient transport.

(i) Each fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization shall ensure that rigid sanitation conditions and procedures are in effect at all times. The following sanitation standards apply to all fixed-wing ambulances:

1. (1) The interior and the equipment within the aircraft are clean and maintained in good working order at all times.
2. (2) Freshly laundered linens are used on all litters, and pillows and linens shall be changed after each patient is transported.
3. (3) When an aircraft has been utilized to transport a patient known to have a communicable disease, the aircraft shall be cleansed and all contact surfaces be washed with soap and water and disinfected.

(j) A fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization shall not operate a fixed-wing ambulance in Indiana if the fixed-wing ambulance does not meet the certification requirements of this article and does not have a certificate issued under this article; however, a fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization may operate, for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days, a temporary replacement fixed-wing ambulance if the temporary replacement fixed-wing ambulance is used to replace a certified fixed-wing ambulance that has been temporarily taken out of service providing the following:

1. (1) The replacement fixed-wing ambulance shall meet all certification requirements of this article.

2. (2) The fixed-wing air ambulance service provider organization shall notify the agency, in writing, within seventy-two (72) hours of the time the replacement fixed-wing ambulance is placed in service. The written notice shall identify the following:

   1. (A) The replacement date.
   2. (B) The certification number of the replaced fixed-wing ambulance.
   3. (C) The aircraft identification number of the replacement fixed-wing ambulance.
   4. (D) The make and type of the replacement fixed-wing ambulance.

Upon receipt of the notification, a temporary certificate shall be issued effective the date the certified rotorcraft ambulance was replaced. Temporary certification will not exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the date that the replacement fixed-wing ambulance is placed in service, and, upon return to service of the certified fixed-wing ambulance, the use of the replacement fixed-wing ambulance shall cease. If the replaced fixed- wing ambulance is not returned to service within the one hundred eighty (180) day period, use of the replacement fixed-wing ambulance shall cease unless certification is approved in accordance with this article.

(Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; 836 IAC 3-3-4; filed Oct 11, 1988, 11:05 a.m.: 12 IR 376; filed May 15, 1998, 10:25 a.m.: 21 IR 3926; filed Apr 4, 2002, 9:08 a.m.: 25 IR 2501; filed Feb 20, 2003, 8:00 a.m.: 26 IR 2360; filed Jun 11, 2004, 1:30 p.m.: 27 IR 3559; readopted filed Jul 29, 2010, 8:07 a.m.: 20100825-IR-836100267RFA; readopted filed Oct 31, 2016, 1:48 p.m.: 20161130-IR-836160328RFA; readopted filed Nov 28, 2022, 2:51 p.m.: 20221228-IR-836220299RFA; readopted filed Jul 24, 2024, 3:48 p.m.: 20240821-IR- 836230827RFA)