Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) These rules shall apply to any person, public or private institution, agency, entity, corporation, general hospital and/or business concern that operates, or seeks to operate, a non-volunteer mobility assistance vehicle or basic life support ambulance service within the State of New Jersey. These rules serve to define the operational requirements of these services, to provide for a uniform application of standards, and to specify the personnel, equipment, organization and other resources required to successfully operate such services.
(b)N.J.A.C. 8:40-1 through 5 and 7 shall apply to MAV services.
(c)N.J.A.C. 8:40-1 through 4, 6 and 7 shall apply to basic life support ambulance services.
(d) The rules in this chapter are hereby subject to the following modifications and additional terms and conditions:
1. All MAV and BLS crewmembers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Health recommendations, as set forth in the Department of Health's Health and Safety Summary for EMS First Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic Response, before and during the transportation of any patient. This includes, at a minimum:
i. An N95 or equivalent mask approved by the CDC/NIOSH;
ii. Eye protection;
iii. Gloves; and
iv. Isolation gowns (for known or suspected positive COVID-19 patients).
2. The mobility assistance vehicle operator (MAVO) and/or Emergency Medical Technician EMT shall place a face covering/mask over every patient's nose and mouth prior to each transfer.
3. The MAVO and/or EMT shall document in the patient's chart the PPE and decontamination procedures utilized for each patient transfer.
4. MAV and Basic Life Support (BLS) agencies shall provide EMTs and MAVOs with specific education and training on preventing transmission of infectious agents and decontamination procedures.
5. MAV and BLS agencies shall develop, educate, and implement infection control policies and procedures consistent with the recommendations published by the CDC and the Department of Health, which are set forth in the Department of Health's Health and Safety Summary for EMS First Responders during the COVID-19 Pandemic Response, available at
http://www.state.nj.us/health/ems/.
6. All MAVOs and EMTS shall practice and demonstrate competency in the prevention of disease transmission and proper donning and doffing of PPE, prior to transporting a patient. Special attention should be given to the correct use of PPE and prevention of contamination of clothing, skin, and the environment during the process of donning and doffing PPE.
7. All MAV and BLS vehicles shall be decontaminated when starting a new shift and after every patient transfer.
8. BLS or MAV vehicles shall only transport one patient at any given time.
