Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
A. Initial
Inspections. An applicant must successfully complete an initial inspection by
the department which includes:
1. an
inspection of all vehicles to determine that they are safe and in working order
and that they are equipped with all of the prescribed medical equipment as
required by these provisions and in accordance with state and local laws and
regulations:
a. safe and working order shall
be determined pursuant to the provisions of
R.S.
32:1 et seq. and the Louisiana Motor Vehicle
Inspection Manual, in addition to the provisions of this Chapter and
R.S.
40:1135.1 et seq.;
b. for aircraft, the safe and working order
shall be determined by the rules of the FAA, in addition to the provisions of
this Chapter and
R.S.
40:1135.1 et seq.;
c. each vehicle successfully completing the
inspection shall receive a permit (evidenced by a department-issued decal)
authorizing it to be operated as part of the applicant's fleet;
2. an inspection of all personnel
credentials to verify that they meet the requirements of law;
3. an inspection, and when deemed necessary
by the department, verification of the information required in this Chapter and
that such information remains current;
4. verification that the ambulance
service/provider has complied with all applicable federal, state, and local
statutes, and rules, and has obtained all necessary and applicable licenses,
permits, and certifications, including certificates of need or certificates of
public convenience and necessity; and
5. for those ambulance services/providers
rendering advanced life support, verification that the ambulance
service/provider possesses a Louisiana controlled substance license and a U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration controlled substance registration.
B. Other Inspections. The
department may conduct the following types of inspections.
1. Licensing Inspection. Licensing inspection
is a periodic survey or investigation conducted as necessary to assure
compliance with ambulance licensing standards.
2. Follow-Up Inspection. A follow-up may be
conducted whenever necessary to assure correction of non-compliance. When
applicable, the department may clear violations by administrative desk
review.
3. Complaint Inspection. In
accordance with
R.S.
40:2009.13 et seq., a complaint inspection
shall be conducted to investigate allegations of noncompliance. Complaint
inspections are unannounced.
4.
Fleet addition inspections
a. Any ambulance
service adding a ground transportation ambulance, air ambulance or sprint
vehicle to the fleet shall provide written notification to the department in
advance of the addition. The notification shall include:
i. vehicle identification number;
ii. copy of the certificate of registration
from the Office of Motor Vehicles or the Federal Aviation
Administration;
iii. proof of
commercial automobile or aircraft liability insurance; and
iv. vehicle inspection fee.
b. Once a temporary notice of
approval for the vehicle fleet addition is received, the vehicle may be placed
in service.
i. The temporary notice of
approval shall be carried in the vehicle until the fleet addition vehicle
inspection is completed and a state-issued permit is received.
ii. The vehicle or aircraft shall be
inspected for the requirements of the Louisiana Motor Vehicle Inspection Act,
FAA Part 135, and this Chapter
NOTE: The decal shall be affixed to a non-obstructive
viewing area of the vehicle, preferably the lower part of the driver's door
window.
c. Any
vehicle borrowed, leased or rented by the service for less than 90 days shall
not be subject to a vehicle inspection fee.
i.
All vehicles shall be subject to compliance with this Chapter and must be
issued a temporary notice of approval for use.
ii. The temporary approval shall be carried
in the vehicle at all times.
C. When a vehicle is required to be
inspected, but is not available, it is the responsibility of the ambulance
service/provider to arrange for the vehicle to be available to the surveyor for
inspection within 30 days of the on-site survey.
D. For ambulance services/providers based in
Louisiana, who border an adjacent state and use vehicles from the bordering
state, such vehicles are not required to have a Louisiana license plate, but
shall be licensed in accordance with the adjacent state's rules, laws and
regulations in the operation of the ambulance service's/provider's vehicle.
These vehicles shall be available for inspection for compliance with Louisiana
inspection requirements pursuant to this Chapter.
E. Louisiana Department of Health surveyors
and staff shall be:
1. given access to all
areas and relevant files of the ambulance service/provider which are relevant
to the purpose of the inspection or investigation during an inspection or
investigation; and
2. allowed to
interview any person with an ownership interest, staff, or patients, as
necessary or required to conduct the inspection or investigation.
F. The ambulance service/ provider
shall be given a written statement of findings of any deficiencies cited based
on an inspection or investigation which includes notice of the required plan of
correction, as applicable.
AUTHORITY
NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254, 40:1135.1 and
R.S.
40:1135.2.
