Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
16.1 The owner or
registered agent of every BLS ambulance service provider shall provide
ambulance service in accordance with the requirements set forth in these
regulations and the contractual agreements established as a BLS ambulance
service provider and filed with the Commission. The Commission shall have the
authority to issue corrective orders, cease and desist orders, and suspend or
revoke a BLS ambulance service provider's license and permit or
permits.
16.2 Every BLS ambulance
service provider shall maintain the required equipment and supplies as
specified by the Commission.
16.2.1 Every BLS
ambulance service provider shall provide full and unimpeded access to all
buildings that house apparatus requiring inspection.
16.2.2 Any BLS ambulance provider that
refuses to grant access to Commission Investigators for inspection of apparatus
shall have their ambulance permit temporarily suspended until access is
granted.
16.2.3 After a BLS
ambulance provider has received a temporary suspension for impeding access to
their apparatus, they will be required to present the apparatus in question to
the Fire Commission office in Dover for inspection.
16.2.4 Violations of subsection 16.2 shall
require corrective action as defined in subsection 16.2.6 with the exception of
those violations which represent an imminent danger to the public.
16.2.5 For those violations of subsection
16.2 representing an imminent danger to the public, the Commission or a
designated agent shall issue and deliver an order to cease and desist any
further BLS ambulance service until such time as the violation has been
verified as being corrected and corrective measures accepted by the Commission
or designee.
16.2.6 Equipment
Deficiency Classifications and Corrective Action
16.2.6.1 Critical. The BLS ambulance service
provider shall be immediately notified and the unit is placed out-of-service
until the deficiency is corrected and a re-inspection has occurred.
16.2.6.2 Cautionary. The BLS ambulance
service provider shall be immediately notified and the violation or violations
shall require correction within 5 working days of receipt of notice. All
corrections shall require validation by the Commission or a designee. If not
corrected within 5 working days, the unit must be placed
out-of-service.
16.2.6.3 Watchful.
The BLS ambulance service provider shall be immediately notified that the
deficiency must be corrected at the next restocking or shift change.
16.3 A BLS ambulance
service provider may have its license or permit or permits or both revoked,
placed on probation or suspended for consistently failing inspections,
including failing to maintain the required equipment list. A provider may also
be disciplined where the provider has:
16.3.1
Violated or aided or abetted in the violation of any provision of these
regulations or orders issued by the Commission or its designee;
16.3.2 Practiced any fraud,
misrepresentation, or deceit in obtaining or renewing a BLS ambulance service
permit;
16.3.3 Demonstrated gross
negligence, incompetence or misconduct in providing BLS ambulance
service;
16.3.4 Engaged in any
unfair or deceptive trade practices;
16.3.5 Violated any contractual agreement
related to providing BLS ambulance service;
16.3.6 Violated any protocols;
16.3.7 Failed to comply with Commission
required QA/QI programs;
16.3.8
Continuously maintained unsafe, unsanitary, or improperly equipped vehicles.
The Commission may require mechanical repair when patient care safety is a
concern. At the request of the Commission's designee, BLS providers shall
provide the Commission with mechanical reports at their expense clearing the
ambulance for patient transport. The unit may be taken out of service until the
report is provided to the Commission's designee.
16.4 Discontinuation of BLS Ambulance
Service. Any BLS ambulance service provider desiring to terminate BLS ambulance
service in the State must notify the Commission immediately of their intentions
to terminate service.
