Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 6, March 18, 2024
(a) A mobile intensive care program may temporarily place a back-up MICU "in-service" if public safety concerns necessitate additional coverage for a limited period of time. This shall include:
1. Events where a large number of people are expected to gather;
2. A temporary change in the accessibility of the service area (for example, bridge or road closures);
3. A mass casualty incident, natural and/or man-made disasters, inclement weather, an emergency situation, as a part of an organized emergency preparedness action or drill; and/or
4. Other situations that are not covered by this section, but which have been approved in advance by OEMS.
(b) Excluding the situations listed in (a)3 above, a mobile intensive care program shall not temporarily operate a back-up MICU without first obtaining approval from OEMS. The procedure for such obtaining such approval shall be as follows:
1. The director shall make a request to OEMS in writing. Each request shall include:
i. Details of the special event, including the reason for the temporary addition;
ii. Assurances that, while in-service, the back-up MICU shall meet all of the standards required of a standard "in-service" MICU;
iii. Documentation that the program's primary service area coverage shall not be affected; and
iv. If the site at which the back-up MICU is to be utilized is not within the mobile intensive care program's primary service area, an agreement signed by the program that is the primary provider of advanced life support care at that location.
2. If circumstances arise that leave insufficient time for the director to apply in writing, he or she may apply by telephone during regular business hours, Monday through Friday (9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.), provided that written request is made as soon as is practical.
3. Where a back-up MICU is temporarily utilized in accordance with the situations described in (a)3 above, such that application by telephone is not practical, a representative of the mobile intensive care program shall notify OEMS of such utilization by telephone during regular business hours on the next business day.
(c) OEMS shall review all requests for the temporary utilization of a back-up MICU and, when appropriate, issue approvals in consideration of specific circumstances and in the interest of public health and safety. These approvals shall set forth the number of MICUs approved, hours of operation and the duration of the approval. Each mobile intensive care program operating the temporary MICU shall adhere to the terms and conditions of the approval.
