Funny how two people can quote from the Texas
code and support two different positions. Anyways, like I stated in my
first post, I had clarified my interpretation with TDH back in 2002, when I
had this argument with the owner of the rotor wing service I was working
for. Anyone on this list with TDH that can clarify? Because, to
state that you have to staff as a MICU does not coincide with the rule that I
quoted, which gives quite a combination of possible crew configurations.
It also rules out quite a few of crew configurations that I personally know
that fly in Texas - like MD/RN neonatal fixed wing transports.
Blue skies,
Jen
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2003 11:01 PM
Subject: Re: Crew configuration
Actually Jen in Texas, on the TDH
website according to Texas
Administrative Code:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pub/plsql/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=25&pt=1&ch=157&rl=11
TITLE
25 HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 157
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
SUBCHAPTER B EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER LICENSES
RULE §157.11
Requirements for an EMS Provider
License
.....
(e) Required
Minimum Staffing.
(1) BLS - when response-ready or in-service -
two emergency care attendants (ECA)'s.
(2) BLS with ALS capability - when
response-ready or in-service below ALS - two ECA's. Full ALS status becomes
active when staffed by at least an emergency medical technician
(EMT)-Intermediate and at least an EMT.
(3) BLS with MICU capability -
when response-ready or in-service below MICU- two ECA's. Full MICU status
becomes active when staffed by at least a certified or licensed paramedic and
at least an EMT.
(4) ALS - when response-ready or in-service - one
EMT-Intermediate and one EMT.
(5) ALS with MICU capability - when
response-ready or in-service below MICU- one EMT-Intermediate and one EMT.
Full MICU status becomes active when staffed by at least a certified or
licensed paramedic and at least an EMT.
(6) MICU - when response-ready or
in-service - one certified or licensed paramedic and one EMT.
(7)
Specialized - when response-ready or in-service - two certified or licensed
personnel, certification or licensure level determined by the type and
application of the vehicle and approved by the medical director.
(8)
For air ambulance staffing requirements refer to §157.12(f) of this title or
§157.13(g) of this title.
so....here's 157.12(f).
[157.13(g) refers to fixed wing stuff....]
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pub/plsql/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=25&pt=1&ch=157&rl=12
TITLE 25 HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
CHAPTER 157
EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
SUBCHAPTER B EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER LICENSES
RULE §157.12
Rotor-wing Air Ambulance
Operations
...
(a) Rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) operated by a
licensed emergency medical services (EMS) provider shall be at the mobile
intensive care level. Persons or entities operating rotary wing air ambulances
must direct and control the integrated activities of both the medical and
aviation components. Although the aircraft operator is directly responsible to
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the operation of the aircraft,
typically the organization in charge of the medical functions directs the
combined efforts of the aviation and medical components during patient
transport operations.
.....
(f) There shall be two
Texas licensed/certified personnel on board the helicopter when in
service. A waiver to the Texas license/certification may be granted for
personnel employed by providers in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and
Louisiana who respond in Texas and are licensed in their respective state.
Staffing of vehicles shall be as follows:
(1) when responding to
an emergency scene, at least one of the personnel shall be a paramedic;
(2) when responding for an inter-facility transfer, at least one of the
personnel performing patient care duties shall be a certified or licensed
paramedic, registered nurse or physician. The qualifications and numbers of
air medical personnel shall be appropriate to patient care needs;
(3) when
responding as in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the second person
may be a certified or licensed paramedic, registered nurse, or a physician;
and
(4) air medical personnel shall not be assigned or assume the cockpit
duties of the flight crew members concurrent with patient care duties and
responsibilities.
So, according to TDH
(Texas Department of Health) rules, helicopters must be certified at the MICU
level, with at least 1 paramedic. The 2nd crew member may be
either a paramedic, nurse or physician.
Fly Safe,
Tim
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