- (a) Air ambulance medical services shall be maintained to provide medical treatment, stability, and transportation to ambulance patients within the capability and capacity of the medical crew and aircraft.
- (b) Patient related policies and procedures will be maintained at the agency. Documentation reflecting crew training on policies and procedures shall be maintained.
- (c) A written policy shall be utilized for rapid patient loading and unloading if practiced.
(d) A written protocol shall be developed and in place to address the combative patient.
- (1) Physical and/or chemical restraints shall be available and used for combative patients who potentially endanger himself, the personnel or the aircraft.
- (2) The written protocol shall address refusal to transport patients, family members or others who may be considered a threat to the safety of the transport personnel.
- (e) A list of contaminated materials, which could pose a threat to the medical transport team or render transport inappropriate, shall be readily available.
- (f) The LZ or aircraft operational area shall be a safe distance to avoid any downwind danger when approaching or departing.
- (g) Each air ambulance service shall have a policy regarding patient screening and under what conditions a request for service would be declined or not accepted.
- (h) Air ambulance services are not required to meet the duty to act statutory requirements or have 24/7 resource availability.
(i) Air ambulances shall operate within a statewide emergency medical response system coordinating pre-hospital and interfacility responses with the appropriate local emergency resources through:
- (1) the use of the state designated resource status reporting and communication tool to show near real- time availability by using global positioning satellite systems to show where aircraft are located at the time of the request, and
- (2) coordination with ground personnel to ensure the timeliest response to the patient via radio or telephone contact.
- (j) Air medical utilization protocols shall be developed and submitted to the Department for review and approval.
Amended and renumbered from 310:641-3-36 at 33 Ok Reg 1529, eff 9-11-16