Re: Crew configuration

Oooopss - I meant MD(resident)/RN neonatal rotor wing transports. My apologies.

Jen

----- Original Message -----

From: Harris Educational Initiatives

To: flightmed@flightweb.com

Sent: Monday, May 05, 2003 3:32 AM

Subject: Re: Crew configuration

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 -----

From: TCM692@aol.com

To: flightmed@flightweb.com

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