Header:
KANSAS ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS
AGENCY 109 BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
ARTICLE 2. AMBULANCE SERVICES; PERMITS AND REGULATIONS
Date:
08/31/2009
Document:
109-2-11. Standards for type V air ambulances and equipment.
(a) The operator shall ensure that the patient compartment is configured in such a way that air medical personnel have adequate access to the patient in order to begin and maintain care commensurate with the patient's needs. The operator shall ensure that the air ambulance has adequate access and necessary space to maintain the patient's airway and to provide adequate ventilatory support by an attendant from the secured, seat-belted position within the air ambulance.
(b) Each air ambulance operator shall have a policy that addresses climate control of the aircraft for the comfort and safety of both the patient and air medical personnel. The air medical crew shall take precautions to prevent temperature extremes that could adversely affect patient care.
(c) The operator shall equip each type V air ambulance with the following:
(1) Either two portable functioning flashlights or a flashlight and one spotlight;
(2) a cot with an elevating head and at least three safety straps with locking mechanisms or an isolette;
(3) one emesis basin or convenience bag;
(4) one complete change of linen;
(5) one blanket;
(6) one waterproof cot cover; and
(7) a ''no smoking'' sign posted in the aircraft.
(d) Each fixed-wing air ambulance shall have a two-way communications system that is readily accessible to both the medical personnel and the pilot and that meets the following requirements:
(1) Allows communication between the aircraft and air traffic control systems; and
(2) allows air medical personnel to communicate at all times with medical control, exclusive of the air traffic control system.
(e) The pilot or pilots shall be sufficiently isolated from the patient care area to minimize in-flight distractions and interference.
(f) The operator shall equip each type V air ambulance with an internal medical system that includes the following:
(1) An internal oxygen system with at least one outlet per patient located inside the patient compartment and with at least 2,500 liters of storage capacity with a minimum of 200 psi. The pressure gauge, regulator control valve, and humidifying accessories shall be readily accessible to attendants and medical personnel from inside the patient compartment during in-flight operations;
(2) an electrically powered suction aspirator system with an airflow of at least 30 liters per minute and a vacuum of at least 300 millimeters of mercury. The unit shall be equipped with large-bore, nonkinking suction tubing and a semirigid, nonmetallic oropharyngeal suction tip; and
(3) oxygen flowmeters and outlets that are padded, flush-mounted, or located to prevent injury to air medical personnel, unless helmets are worn by all crew members during all phases of flight operations.
(g) The operator shall equip each type V air ambulance with the following:
(1) A portable oxygen unit of at least 300-liter storage capacity complete with pressure gauge and flowmeter with a minimum of 200 psi. The unit shall be readily accessible from inside the patient compartment;
(2) a portable, self-contained battery or manual suction aspirator with an airflow of at least 28 liters per minute and a vacuum of at least 300 millimeters of mercury. The unit shall be fitted with large-bore, nonkinking suction tubing and semirigid, nonmetallic, oropharyngeal suction tip;
(3) medical supplies and equipment that include the following:
(A) Airway management equipment, including tracheal intubation equipment, adult, pediatric, and infant bag-valve masks, and ventilatory support equipment;
(B) a cardiac monitor capable of defibrillating and an extra battery or power source;
(C) cardiac advanced life support drugs and therapeutic modalities, as indicated by the ambulance service's medical protocols;
(D) neonate specialty equipment and supplies for neonatal missions and as indicated by the ambulance service's medical protocols;
(E) trauma advanced life support supplies and treatment modalities, as indicated in the ambulance service's medical protocols; and
(F) a pulse oximeter and an intravenous infusion pump; and
(4) blood-borne and body fluid pathogen protection equipment as described in K.A.R. 109-2-8.
(h) If an operator's medical protocols are amended, the operator shall submit these changes to the board with a letter of approval pursuant to K.S.A. 65-6112 (r), and amendments thereto, within 15 days of implementation of the change.
(i) Equipment and supplies obtained on a trial basis or for temporary use by the operator shall not be required to be reported to the board by the operator. If the operator's medical equipment list is amended, the operator shall submit these changes to the board within 15 days with a letter of approval from the ambulance service's medical director.
(j) Each air ambulance operator shall ensure that each air ambulance has on board, at all times, appropriate survival equipment for the mission and terrain of the ambulance service's geographic area of operations.
(k) Each air ambulance operator shall ensure that the aircraft has an adequate interior lighting system so that patient care can be provided and the patient's status can be monitored without interfering with the pilot's vision. The air ambulance operator shall ensure that the aircraft cockpit is capable of being shielded from light in the patient care area during night operations or that red lighting or a reduced lighting level is also provided for the pilot and air ambulance personnel.
(l) Each aircraft shall have at least one stretcher that meets the following requirements:
(1) Accommodates a patient who is up to six feet tall and weighs 212 pounds;
(2) is capable of elevating the patient's head at least 30 degrees for patient care and comfort;
(3) has three securing straps for adult patients; and
(4) has a specifically designed mechanism for securing pediatric patients.
(m) Each air ambulance operator shall ensure that all equipment, stretchers, and seating are so arranged as not to block rapid egress by air medical personnel or patients from the aircraft. The operator shall ensure that all equipment on board the aircraft is affixed or secured in either approved racks or compartments or by strap restraint while the aircraft is in operation.
(n) The aircraft shall have an electric inverter or appropriate power source that is sufficient to power patient-specific medical equipment without compromising the operation of any electrical aircraft equipment.
(o) When an isolette is used during patient transport, the operator shall ensure that the isolette is able to be opened from its secured in-flight position in order to provide full access to the infant.
(p) Each air ambulance operator shall ensure that all medical equipment is maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations and does not interfere with the aircraft's navigation or on-board systems.
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