Current through Register Vol. 24-06, March 15, 2024
(1) In addition to
meeting the requirements of chapter 70.168 RCW and elsewhere in this chapter,
regional EMS/TC councils must:
(a) Identify
and analyze system trends to evaluate the EMS/TC system and its component
subsystems, using trauma registry data provided by the department;
(b) Develop and submit to the department
regional EMS/TC plans to:
(i) Identify the
need for and recommend distribution and level of care (basic, intermediate or
advanced life support) for verified aid and ambulance services for each
response area. The recommendations will be based on criteria established by the
department relating to agency response times, geography, topography, and
population density;
(ii) Identify
EMS/TC services and resources currently available within the region;
(iii) Describe how the roles and
responsibilities of the MPD are coordinated with those of the regional EMS/TC
council and the regional plan;
(iv)
Describe and recommend improvements in medical control communications and
EMS/TC dispatch, with at least the elements of the state communication plan
described in
RCW
70.168.060(1)(h);
(v) Include a schedule for
implementation.
(2) In developing or modifying its plan, the
regional council must seek and consider the recommendations of:
(a) Local EMS/TC councils;
(b) EMS/TC systems established by ordinance,
resolution, interlocal agreement or contract by counties, cities, or other
governmental bodies.
(3)
In developing or modifying its plan, the regional council must use regional and
state analyses provided by the department based on trauma registry data and
other appropriate sources;
(4)
Approved regional plans may include standards, including response times for
verified services, which exceed the requirements of this chapter.
(5) An EMS/TC provider who disagrees with the
regional plan may bring its concerns to the steering committee before the
department approves the plan.
(6)
The regional council must adopt regional patient care procedures as part of the
regional plans. In addition to meeting the requirements of
RCW
18.73.030(14) and
70.168.015(23):
(a) For all emergency patients, regional
patient care procedures must identify:
(i)
Guidelines for rendezvous with agencies offering higher levels of service if
appropriate and available, in accordance with the regional plan.
(ii) The type of facility to receive the
patient, as described in regional patient destination and disposition
guidelines.
(iii) Procedures to
handle types and volumes of trauma that may exceed regional capabilities,
taking into consideration resources available in other regions and adjacent
states.
(b) For major
trauma patients, regional patient care procedures must identify procedures to
activate the trauma system.
(7) In areas where no local EMS/TC council
exists, the regional EMS/TC council shall:
(a) Make recommendations to the department
regarding appointing members to the regional EMS/TC council;
(b) Review applications for initial training
classes and OTEP programs, and make recommendations to the
department.
(8) Matching
grants made under the provisions of chapter 70.168 RCW may include funding to:
(a) Develop, implement, and evaluate
prevention programs; or
(b)
Accomplish other purposes as approved by the department.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.73.081 and
70.168.120. 02-14-053, §
246-976-960, filed 6/27/02, effective 7/28/02. Statutory Authority:
Chapters
18.71,
18.73, and 70.168 RCW. 00-08-102,
§ 246-976-960, filed 4/5/00, effective 5/6/00. Statutory Authority:
RCW
43.70.040 and
chapters
18.71,
18.73 and 70.168 RCW. 93-01-148
(Order 323), § 246-976-960, filed 12/23/92, effective
1/23/93.
