Section 836IAC1-1-8. Operating procedures

   (a) All emergency medical service provider organizations shall comply with this section.

  (b) Emergency medical service provider organization's premises shall be maintained, suitable to the conduct of the provider organizations service, with provision for adequate storage of emergency medical service vehicles and equipment.

  (c) Each emergency medical service provider organization shall provide a written periodic maintenance program to assure that:

(1) all emergency medical service vehicles, including equipment, are maintained in good working condition at all times; and

(2) equipment, medication, and supplies have not exceeded the manufacturer's specified expiration date.

  (d) All emergency medical service provider organization's:

(1) premises;

(2) records;

(3) garaging facilities; and

(4) emergency medical service vehicles;

shall be made available for inspection by the agency at any time during operating hours.

  (e) An emergency medical service provider organization shall not act in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the health or safety of emergency patients or members of the general public while in the course of business as an emergency medical service provider organization.

  (f) Each emergency medical service provider organizations shall notify the agency within thirty (30) days of the present and past specific location of any emergency medical service vehicles if the location of the emergency medical service vehicles is changed from that specified in the provider organization's application for emergency medical service provider organizations certification or certification renewal.

  (g) An emergency medical service provider organization shall not engage in the provision of advanced life support unless the:

(1) emergency medical service provider organization is certified under 836 IAC 2; and

(2) vehicle meets the requirements of 836 IAC 2.

  (h) Each emergency medical services provider organization shall conduct audit and review under section 6 of this rule.

  (i) An emergency medical service provider organization may operate a nontransport emergency medical services vehicle in accordance with 836 IAC 1-11-4.

  (j) The following reporting requirements are applicable to all emergency medical service provider organizations:

(1) For an individual certified by the commission and employed (either paid or volunteer) by an emergency medical service provider organization, the provider organization shall notify the agency within thirty (30) days of any of the following:

(A) An action taken by the provider organization or the provider organization's medical director to:

(i) restrict, suspend, or revoke the individual's authorization to perform emergency medical services for the provider organization; or

(ii) suspend or terminate the individual's employment or affiliation with the provider organization.

(B) The individual is no longer:

(i) employed;

(ii) affiliated;

with the provider organization either voluntarily or involuntarily.

(2) The notification required under this subsection shall include the following:

(A) Name of individual.

(B) Certification number.

(C) Date action was taken.

(D) Description of the action taken, including:

(i) the length of the action if the action was temporary; and

(ii) any conditions and terms associated with the action.

(E) Reason action was taken.

  (k) Each emergency medical service provider organization shall ensure that sanitation procedures are in effect at all times. The following sanitation standards apply to all emergency medical services vehicles:

(1) The interior of ambulances and the equipment within the vehicle shall be clean and maintained in good working order at all times. Smoking shall be prohibited anywhere in the interior of the vehicle.

(2) Freshly laundered linen or disposable linens shall be used on litters and pillows, and linen shall be changed after each patient is transported.

(3) Clean linen storage shall be provided.

(4) Closed compartments shall be provided within the vehicle for medical supplies.

(5) Closed containers shall be provided for soiled supplies.

(6) Blankets shall be kept clean and stored in closed compartments.

(7) Implements inserted into the patient's nose or mouth shall be single-service, wrapped, and properly stored and handled. Multiuse items shall be kept clean and sterile when indicated and properly stored.

(8) When a vehicle has been utilized to transport a patient known to have a communicable disease or suffered exposure to hazardous material or biohazard material, the vehicle and equipment shall be properly cleansed and all contact surfaces washed properly. All hazardous and biohazard materials shall be disposed of properly.

(Indiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; 836 IAC 1-1-8; filed Jun 11, 2004, 1:30 p.m.: 27 IR 3515; filed Jul 31, 2007, 10:01 a.m.: 20070829-IR-836060011FRA; readopted filed Jul 29, 2010, 8:07 a.m.: 20100825-IR-836100267RFA; readopted filed Oct 31, 2016, 1:48 p.m.: 20161130-IR-836160328RFA)