SF 1876 makes a number of changes to terminology.  It also moves several rules to statute.  It makes other minor changes to chapter 144E.

Sections 1 to 8 (144E.001) changes terminology.

Section 9 (144E.001, subd. 5g) adds a definition for “emergency medical responder group.”

Section 10 (144E.001, subd. 6) changes terminology and modifies the definition of a emergency medical responder to include an individual who is registered by the board to perform basic emergency skills before the arrival of a licensed ambulance service and is on the roster of a Minnesota licensed ambulance service.

Sections 11 to 13 (144E.001) add the definitions of “in-service ambulance,” “intravenous infusion,” and “intravenous therapy.”

Section 14 (144E.001, subd. 11) changes terminology.

Section 15 (144E.001, subd. 14) changes terminology and clarifies the curriculum developed by the Education Program Coordinator is in accordance with the National EMS Education Standards by the Highway Transportation Safety Administration, United States Department of Transportation.

Section 16 (144E.01, subd. 1) changes the reference to first responder to an emergency medical responder on or within a nontransporting or nonregistered agency.

Section 17 (144E.101, subd. 2) changes terminology.

Section 18 (144E.101, subd. 6) permits a basic life-support service medical director to authorize ambulance service personnel to use equipment that is within the licensure level of the ambulance service.  The ambulance service personnel must be properly trained and the documentation of authorization for use, guidelines for use, continuing education and skill verification must be maintained in the licensee’s files.  This section also makes terminology changes.

Sections 19 to 21 (144E.101) changes terminology.

Section 22 (144E.101, subd. 12) requires a licensee to have a written agreement with at least one neighboring licensed ambulance service for the preplanned and organized response of emergency medical services and other emergency personnel and equipment to a request for assistance in an emergency when local ambulance transport resources are expended.

Section 23 (144E.103) makes changes to the required equipment.

Subdivision 1 requires every ambulance in service for patient care to carry commercially manufactured tourniquets.  Strikes obsolete language.

Subdivision 2a requires the equipment to be maintained in full operating condition and all patient care equipment, supplies, and drugs stored and maintained within the manufacturer’s recommendations and:

1. maintained in full operating condition and in good repair;
2. all storage containers must be clean;
3. sheets and pillowcases must be changed after each use;
4. single–service equipment and supplies must be wrapped, stored, and handled so as to prevent contamination and must be disposed of after use;
5. reusable equipment and supplies must be cleaned after each use;
6. equipment and supplies that are soiled or otherwise dirty, must be kept in plastic bags or securely covered containers until disposed of or prepared for reuse; and
7. procedures for the periodic testing of mechanical equipment must be developed, maintained, and followed, and records of the testing must be kept on file.

(Source: Minnesota Rules 4690.1400)

Subdivision 4 requires ambulances to be equipped with shoulder harnesses.

Subdivision 5 requires ambulances to be equipped with a two-way radio that is programmed to the most recent version of the statewide radio board shared radio and communication plan or the equivalent as determined by the EMSRB.

Section 24 (144E.127, subd. 2) changes terminology.

Section 25 (144E.265, subd. 2) changes terminology.

Section 26 (144E.27, subd. 1) changes terminology and states that the National EMS Education Standards by the NHTSA, United States Department of Transportation, contains the minimal entry level of knowledge and skills for emergency medical responders and authorizes the medical director of emergency medical responder groups to expand the knowledge and skill set.

Section 27 (144E.27, subd. 2) changes terminology.

Section 28 (144E.27, subd. 2a) establishes registration expiration dates.

Section 29 (144E.27, subd. 3) changes terminology.

Section 30 (144E.27, subd. 5) adds the following conditions in which the board can deny, suspend, revoke, place conditions on, or refuse to renew the registration of an emergency medical responder:

• violates an agreement for corrective action or an order that the board issued or is otherwise empowered to enforce;
• convicted or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to gross misdemeanor theft or misdemeanor assault or theft;
• violates any state or federal controlled substance law;
• engages in any unprofessional conduct or any other conduct that has the potential for causing harm to the public;
• providing emergency medical services under a lapsed or nonrenewed credentials;
• is subject to a denial, corrective, disciplinary, or other similar action in another jurisdiction or by another regulatory authority;
• engages in sexual conduct with a patient or may be reasonably interpreted by the patient as sexual or in any verbal behavior that is seductive or sexually demeaning to a patient; or
• makes a false statement or knowingly provides false information to the board or fails to cooperate with an investigation of the board.

Section 31 (144E.275, subd. 3) changes terminology.

Section 32 (144E.28, subd. 1) changes terminology.

Section 33 (144E.28, subd. 5) makes the same changes as described in Section 30 but for EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics.

Section 34 (144E.28, subd. 7) changes terminology.  Also eliminates the specific instruction category requirements for continuing education for an EMT.

Section 35 (144E.28, subd. 9) changes terminology.

Section 36 (144E.283) changes terminology and requires an emergency medical technician instructor to complete eight hours of continuing education every two years and requires that documentation be filed with the education program coordinator.  Also requires an instructor to have a valid registration, certification, or license as an EMR, EMT, AEMT, paramedic, physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse.

Section 37 (144E.285) changes terminology.

Section 38 (144E.286, subd. 3) changes terminology.

Section 39 (144E.29) changes terminology.

Section 40 (144E.30, subd. 3) changes terminology.

Section 41 (144E.305, subd. 2) changes terminology.

Section 42 (144E.31) changes terminology.

Section 43 (144E.32, subd. 2) changes terminology.

Section 44 (144E.35, subd. 1) changes terminology.

Section 45 (144E.45) changes terminology.

Section 46 repeals Minn. Rules, parts 4690.0100, subparts 16 (intravenous infusion) and 17 (intravenous therapy) and 4690.1400 (maintenance, sanitation, and testing of equipment.)

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