Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-5-9 - FREESTANDING EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS
Section 420-5-9-.07 - Patient Transport or Referral

(1) Each FED shall have an inter-facility transfer protocol with the parent hospital. The FED shall have a transportation agreement with licensed ground and air emergency medical provider services for necessary transport of patients to the appropriate acute care hospital primarily for non-acute emergency transportation. The FED may utilize a "911" call for acute emergency transport of patients, but shall not utilize "911" services as a routine plan for non-emergency patient transport. The transfer protocol shall be approved by the FED Medical Director and parent hospital Medical Staff.

(2) The FED shall transfer or refer patients when necessary, along with all necessary medical information, to appropriate licensed facilities, agencies, or outpatient services for follow up or ancillary care. In no event shall an FED knowingly refer a patient to an unlicensed health care facility in violation of § 22-21-33(b), Code of Ala. 1975.

(3) For transportation out of a facility, if a patient is unable to ride in an upright position or if such patient's condition is such that he or she needs observation or treatment by emergency medical services personnel, or if the patient requires transportation on a stretcher, gurney or cot, the facility shall arrange or request transportation services only from providers who are emergency medical provider services licensed by the Board. For the purposes of this rule, an upright position means no more than 20 degrees from vertical. If such patient is being transported to or from a health care facility in another state, transportation services may be arranged with a transport provider licensed as an emergency medical provider service in that state.

(4) The FED shall have an Alabama Department of Transportation approved helicopter pad on-site.