Wyo. Code R. 048-0023-4
Effective Date: 12/08/2008 to 04/06/2015
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 048.0023.4.12082008
FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Section 1. Ambulance Personnel Criteria. An Ambulance, when used to provide ambulance service, shall comply with the following:
(a) Ground ambulances, when transporting a patient, shall be staffed with a driver and at least one (1) EMT certified as provided in Chapter 5;
(b) Air ambulances. All ambulance service flights shall require at least one (1) certified EMT and a flight crew in conformity with current Federal Aviation Regulations and 14 CFR 135; and
(c) Any physician, osteopath, registered nurse, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner currently licensed in this state may function as an attendant when approved by the local ambulance service.
Section 2. Running Criteria. The driver of a ground ambulance shall comply with the following criteria:
(a) Emergency vehicle operation. The driver shall comply with all Wyoming traffic laws and regulations, including W.S. 31-5-928 and 31-5-952;
(b) Destination. In the absence of decisive factors to the contrary, the ambulance driver shall transport “emergent” or “urgent” patients to the closest accessible medical facility equipped, staffed and prepared to receive emergency cases and administer emergency medical care appropriate to the needs of the patient; and
(c) Siren and approved warning light restrictions. Ground ambulance drivers shall not activate warning lights or use the siren except when responding to an emergency call, engaging in life-saving services at the scene or transporting emergency patients who are classified as “emergent” or “urgent” (by the ambulance attendant on the state ambulance trip report form) as defined in Section 7 of this Chapter.
Section 3. Pilot Responsibilities. Pilots of air ambulances shall comply with the current Federal Aviation Regulations and 14 CFR 135, while providing air ambulance service.
Section 4. Patient Care Reports. A Patient Care Report (PCR) is required for all requests for service listed on the Division approved PCR’s Type of Service section.
(a) Each EMS Agency response shall be recorded on either an electronic or written PRC as approved by the Division.
(b) The EMS Agency shall submit electronic or written PCRs to the Division, in the manner proscribed by Division policy, by the tenth day of the month following the provision of service, or within shorter time as the Division may request.
(c) The EMS Agency shall leave a PCR with the receiving medical facility at the time of patient drop off or as soon as reasonably possible thereafter.
Section 5. Inspection of Patient Care Reports (PCR). The Division may inspect the PCR records of any person operating an ambulance service covered by these rules.
Section 6. Patient Records. No person shall release a Patient Care Report-without the patient's consent, except to a health care facility, the Division, a law enforcement officer, the Wyoming Attorney General's office, or pursuant to a lawful court order.
Section 7. Patient Classifications. For the purpose of these Rules and Regulations the following patient classification definitions shall be used:
(a) "Emergent" means the patient requires immediate transport and treatment to prevent death or permanent disability.
(b) "Urgent" means there is a serious illness or injury to the patient which could expose the patient to risk of death or permanent disability unless treatment is initiated at a medical facility within a reasonable length of time.
(c) "Non-emergent" means a patient who has an injury or illness that is presently stable, which poses no present threat to life or risk of permanent disability, and does not require the use of emergency vehicle warning devices.
For patients who are classified as emergent or urgent, the use of emergency vehicle warning devices is appropriate.
Section 8. Reports of Requests for Information or of Litigation.
(a) All political sub-division EMS Agencies that come under the provisions of W.S. 16-4-201 (Wyoming Public Records Act) shall submit to the Division a copy of any requests for information filed with them. Any such requests shall be sent to the Division by certified mail, return receipt requested, within thirty (30) days of receipt of such request.
(b) All EMS Agencies shall report any service of process, as defined in Chapter 1, Section 3(qq) of these rules, on the ambulance service to the Division within one (1) working day of receipt of service.