Section 1200-12-01-.03 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES EQUIPMENT, MEDICATIONS AND SUPPLIESEach provider shall maintain the required equipment, medications and supplies for the level of service to provide appropriate emergency care and, where applicable, patient care during transport, on each permitted vehicle. It is anticipated that changes in equipment, medications and supplies may be necessary from time to time. This rule hereby adopts the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications posted on the Division's web page at http://health.state.tn.us/ems/index.htm , or at any successor web address, and incorporates those specifications into this rule as if they were fully set out and stated herein.
(1) Definitions - as used in this rule, the following terms and abbreviations shall have the following meanings: (a) "Critical" (C) means any equipment, medications or supplies critical for lifesaving patient care and which by its absence would jeopardize patient care.(b) "Non-Critical" (N) means such equipment, medications or supplies provided in sufficient amounts for patient care, but when missing may not result in serious harm to a patient.(c) "Optional" (O) means any equipment, medications or supplies of elective use, which shall be operational and sanitary.(d) "Specifications" refers to the federal standards and performance requirements for equipment, medications and supplies recognized within the emergency medical services industry and adopted by the board. The current "Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications" can be found at http://health.state.tn.us/ems/index.htm.(2) A written or electronic copy of protocols must be available for inspection on each ambulance.(3) Safety equipment is required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(4) Oxygen, inhalation, ventilation, and airway management devices are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(5) Diagnostic and assessment devices are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(6) Bandages and dressing material are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(7) Immobilization devices are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(8) Patient care supplies are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(9) Infection control supplies are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(10) Intravenous therapy supplies are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(11) Cardiac defibrillators and monitors are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(12) Medications and required drugs are required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications. Medications must be packaged and stored in accordance with pharmacological guidelines for sterility, cleanliness, dosage, and expiration.(13) A triage system that can be used in mass casualty situations/incidents is required on each ambulance in accordance with the Ambulance Equipment, Medications and Supplies Specifications.(14) Air ambulances are required to have the equipment, medications and supplies specified under Rule 1200-12-01-.05.(15) Equipment, medications and supplies requirements as detailed in paragraphs (3) to (12) shall not apply to vehicles used solely for neonatal critical care transport.(16) Neonatal transport equipment and supplies shall conform to the standards adopted in the Tennessee Perinatal Care System Guidelines for Transportation, Tennessee Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Section, Sixth Edition, 2014, or successor publication.(17) Ambulances found to be lacking any critical (C) equipment, medications or supplies, or lacking six or more non-critical (N) equipment, medications or supplies, will fail their inspection. Ambulances found to be lacking five or fewer non-critical (N) equipment , medications or supplies will receive a warning. Conditional acceptance during inspection may be granted by the Division's representative when good faith efforts to acquire or repair non-critical equipment are made by the provider, subject to recheck of any deficiencies within forty-five (45) days of the initial inspection.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1200-12-01-.03
Original rule filed March 20, 1974; effective April 19, 1974. Amendment filed February 8, 1983; effective May 16, 1983. Amendment filed November 30, 1984; effective February 12, 1985. Amendment filed August 22, 1985; effective September 21, 1985. Amendment filed April 8, 1987; effective May 23, 1987. Amendment filed March 7, 1989; effective April 21, 1989. Repeal and new rule filed January 7, 1997; effective March 23, 1997. Repeal and new rule filed November 16, 2005; effective January 30, 2006. Amendment filed December 16, 2005; effective March 1, 2006. Amendment filed August 7, 2009; effective November 5, 2009. Amendments filed May 26, 2010; effective August 24, 2010. Repeal and new rule filed December 2, 2014; effective March 2, 2015. A stay of the effective date of the rule was filed January 27, 2015; new effective date March 27, 2015. Another stay of the effective date of the rule was filed February 23, 2015; new effective date 4/1/2015.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 68-140-304, 68-140-305, 68-140-306, and 68-140-307.