10A NCAC 13P .0218. PEDIATRIC SPECIALTY CARE GROUND AMBULANCE: VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

(a)  A Pediatric Specialty Care Ground Ambulance is an ambulance used to transport only those patients 18 years old or younger with traumatic or medical conditions or for whom the need for specialty care or emergency or non-emergency medical care is anticipated during an inter-facility or discharged patient transport.

(b)  To be permitted as a Pediatric Specialty Care Ground Ambulance, a vehicle shall have:

(1)           a patient compartment that meets the following interior dimensions:

(A)          the length, measured on the floor from the back of the driver's compartment, driver's seat or partition to the inside edge of the rear loading doors, is at least 102 inches; and

(B)          the height is at least 48 inches over the patient area, measured from the center of the floor, exclusive of cabinets or equipment;

(2)           patient care equipment and supplies as defined in the "North Carolina College of Emergency Physicians: Standards for Medical Oversight and Data Collection," which is incorporated by reference, including subsequent amendments and editions.  This document is available from the OEMS, 2707 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-2707, at no cost.  The equipment and supplies shall be clean, in working order, and secured in the vehicle;

(3)           one fire extinguisher mounted in a quick release bracket that is either a dry chemical or all-purpose type and has a pressure gauge;

(4)           the name of the EMS Provider permanently displayed on each side of the vehicle;

(5)           reflective tape affixed to the vehicle such that there is reflectivity on all sides of the vehicle;

(6)           emergency warning lights and audible warning devices mounted on the vehicle as required by G.S. 20-125 in addition to those required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.  All warning devices shall function properly;

(7)           no structural or functional defects that may adversely affect the patient, the EMS personnel, or the safe operation of the vehicle;

(8)           an operational two-way radio that:

(A)          is mounted to the ambulance and installed for safe operation and controlled by the ambulance driver;

(B)          has sufficient range, radio frequencies, and capabilities to establish and maintain two-way voice radio communication from within the defined service area of the EMS System to the emergency communications center or PSAP designated to direct or dispatch the deployment of the ambulance;

(C)          is capable of establishing two-way voice radio communication from within the defined service area to the emergency department of the hospital(s) where patients are routinely transported and to facilities that provide on-line medical direction to EMS personnel;

(D)          is equipped with a radio control device mounted in the patient compartment capable of operation by the patient attendant to receive on-line medical direction; and

(E)           is licensed or authorized by the FCC;

(9)           permanently installed heating and air conditioning systems; and

(10)         a copy of the EMS System patient care treatment protocols.

(c)  Pediatric Specialty Care Ground ambulances shall not use a radiotelephone device such as a cellular telephone as the only source of two-way radio voice communication.

(d)  Communication instruments or devices such as data radio, facsimile, computer, or telemetry radio shall be in addition to the mission dedicated dispatch radio and shall function independently from the mission dedicated radio.

(e)  The Specialty Care Transport Program medical director shall designate the combination of medical equipment as required in Subparagraph (b)(2) of this Rule that is carried on a mission based on anticipated patient care needs.

(f)  The ambulance permit for this vehicle shall remain in effect for two years unless any of the following occurs:

(1)           The Department imposes an administrative sanction which specifies permit expiration;

(2)           The EMS Provider closes or goes out of business;

(3)           The EMS Provider changes name or ownership; or

(4)           Failure to comply with the applicable paragraphs of this Rule.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E-157(a); 143-508(d)(8);

Eff. July 1, 2011.