Vehicle, Equipment and Supply Requirements for Intermediate Advanced Life Support Services [45 Pa.B. 6022]
[Saturday, October 3, 2015]Under 28 Pa. Code § 1027.3(c) (relating to licensure and general operating standards), the Department of Health (Department) has the authority to publish in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and update as necessary, vehicle construction, equipment and supply requirements for emergency medical services (EMS) agencies based upon the types of services they provide and the EMS vehicles they operate. An EMS agency that is licensed to operate as an intermediate advanced life support (IALS) ambulance service or an intermediate advanced life support squad (IALSS) service by the Department under 35 Pa.C.S. § 8129 (relating to emergency medical services agencies), as well as an applicant for an EMS agency license to operate as an IALS ambulance service or an IALSS service, shall maintain and have readily available in working order the following vehicle, equipment and supply requirements.
A. Vehicle Standards
IALS ambulances and IALSS service vehicles shall meet vehicle standards as published at 41 Pa.B. 2296 (April 30, 2011).
B. Equipment and Supply Standards
IALS ambulances and IALSS service vehicles shall meet equipment and supply standards for a basic life support (BLS) ambulance or squad vehicle as published at 41 Pa.B. 2296.
C. Additional Equipment and Supply Standards
In addition to the equipment and supply standards referenced in section B, IALS ambulances and IALSS service vehicles also shall carry all of the following equipment and supplies. When quantities are listed, the quantities refer to the minimum amount of each item that must be carried. All equipment and supplies shall be carried and readily available in working order for use. All equipment that may be used in direct contact with patients must be free of contaminates and be easily cleaned of blood and body fluids. No drugs or medication may be carried beyond an expiration date assigned to it, unless specifically permitted by policy to address drug shortages. Some patients and crewmembers of an ambulance or squad service may have allergies to latex. Latex free supplies are recommended, when possible.
1. One electronic glucose testing meter.
2. One electronic wave-form capnograph monitor, with two disposable adapters with universal bag valve mask/advanced airway adapters.
3. One 12-lead electrocardiogram with wireless transmission capability.
4. Medication and Supplies:
a. Unexpired medications (as listed in the notice published at 45 Pa.B. 5451 (August 29, 2015) regarding the required medications list for IALS ambulance services).
b. Nebulizer System (1).
c. Hypodermic needles, each must be individually wrapped and sterile:
1. 16-18 gauge (4).
2. 20-22 gauge (4).
3. 23-25 gauge (4).
d. Two syringes, including at least one syringe with a 1 mL volume.
5. CPAP Ventilation-portable equipment, with two disposable masks.
6. IV fluid therapy supplies (per Statewide IALS protocols):
a. Catheters over the needle, gauge sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 (four of each size) and 24 (2).
b. Macro drip 10-20 drops/mL intravenous infusion tubing (2).
c. Normal saline IV solutions (2,000 mL minimum).
d. Tourniquets for IV and phlebotomy (2).
7. Nonsurgical Alternative/Rescue Airways either of the following:
a. CombitubesTM: one small adult and one adult
b. King LTTM: (3 total)—sizes 3, 4 and 5.
Persons with a disability who require an alternate format of this notice (for example, large print, audiotape or Braille) should contact Richard L. Gibbons, Bureau Director, Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Room 606, Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0710, (717) 787-8740. Speech or hearing impaired persons may call by using V/TT (717) 783-6154 or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TT).
KAREN M. MURPHY, PhD, RN,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 15-1773. Filed for public inspection October 2, 2015, 9:00 a.m.]
