Vehicle, Equipment and Supply Requirements for Quick Response Services [44 Pa.B. 4259]
[Saturday, July 5, 2014]Under 28 Pa. Code § 1027.3(c) (relating to licensure and general operating standards), an emergency medical services agency that is licensed to operate as a quick response service (QRS) by the Department of Health (Department) under 28 Pa. Code §§ 1027.1 and 1027.32 (relating to general provisions; and quick response service), as well as an applicant for an emergency medical services agency license to operate as a QRS, shall maintain and have readily available in working order the following vehicle, equipment and supply requirements. This notice supersedes the notice published at 41 Pa.B. 3274 (June 25, 2011).
A. Vehicle Requirements
Although a QRS is not required to have a vehicle to respond to emergencies, if it does, the vehicle being used on the highways of this Commonwealth must conform to all applicable requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. (relating to Vehicle Code). If the QRS will not be using a vehicle, it must provide information to the Department on how it will transport its personnel and its equipment and supplies to the scene of an emergency.
B. Required Equipment and Supplies
The following equipment and supplies must be carried and readily available and in working order for use by a QRS.
1. Portable suction unit with wide-bore tubing. The unit must achieve a vacuum of 300 mm/Hg or 11.8" of water in 4 seconds.
2. Suction catheters:
Pharyngeal (2).
3. Airways:
a. Nasopharyngeal (5 different sizes to include at least one between size 16-24 fr. and one between size 26-34 fr.).
b. Oropharyngeal (6 different sizes to include at least one size 0-1, one 2-3 and one size 4-5).
4. Sphygmomanometer:
Child, Adult and Thigh (large) (1 each). Interchangeable gauges are permitted.
5. Stethoscope:
Adult (1) and Pediatric (1).
6. Penlight (1).
7. Portable Oxygen Unit (1):
Cylinder with a capacity of at least 300-liters, (D size) with 500 psi Yoke Cylinder with a minimum total pressure of 500 psi.
8. Gauge/flow meter not gravity dependent and capable of delivering 0-25 liters per minute.
9. Nonsparking wrench/tank opening device.
10. Full spare cylinder with a 300-liter capacity.
11. Oxygen Delivery Devices:
a. Nasal cannula, adult and pediatric (1 each).
b. High concentration mask capable of providing 80% or greater concentration—adult, pediatric and infant (1 each).
c. Pocket mask with one-way valve and oxygen port (1).
d. Bag-valve-mask devices—hand operated adult (1) and hand operated infant/pediatric (450-700cc) (1) that must be capable of high concentration oxygen delivery with adult and pediatric masks.
12. Dressings:
a. Multi trauma (10" x 30") (2).
b. Occlusive (3" x 4") (4).
c. Sterile gauze pads (3" x 3") (12).
d. Soft self-adhering (4 rolls).
13. Adhesive tape:
4 rolls assorted, one of which must be hypoallergenic.
14. Sterile burn sheet (4` x 4`) (2).
15. Triangular bandages (4).
16. Commercial Tourniquet (1).
17. Bandage shears (1).
18. Regional Approved Triage tags (20).
19. Blankets (2).
20. Instant glucose (40% dextrose-d-glucose gel) 45 grams.
21. Emergency BLS Jump Kit (1).
22. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Helmet, eye protection and high-visibility safety apparel (1 per provider).
23. Emergency Response Guidebook published by the United States Department of Transportation, current edition.
24. Radio communications equipment:
Equipment, per regional requirements, capable of communicating with a public safety answering point (PSAP) and ambulance services within the response areas of the QRS. A cellular phone may only be used as a backup means of communication.
25. Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
26. Personal Infection Control Kit set for each crew member, consisting of:
a. Eye protection, clear disposable (1 per crew member).
b. Patient Exam/Treatment Gloves (1 set per crew member).
c. Face Mask, disposable (N-95, 1 per crew member).
27. Infection control plan as part of licensure.
28. Alcohol based hand disinfectant—Nonwater hand cleaner/disinfectant (1 container).
29. Copy of most current appropriate version Statewide EMS Protocols.
All equipment that may be used in direct contact with patients must be reasonably clean and easily cleaned of blood and body fluids. No drugs, medications or supplies may be carried beyond an expiration date assigned to it.
C. Recommendation Regarding Latex
Some patients and QRS personnel may have an allergy to latex. It is recommended, but not required, that when possible, latex free supplies and equipment should be carried.
Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this notice (for example, large print, audiotape, Braille) should contact George Aupperlee, Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Room 606, Health and Welfare Building, 625 Forster Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0701, (717) 787-8740. Persons with speech or hearing impairment may telephone V/TT (717) 783-6154 or use the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TT).
MICHAEL WOLF,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 14-1406. Filed for public inspection July 3, 2014, 9:00 a.m.]
