N.J. Admin. Code § 8:40-6.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024

Section 8:40-6.4 - Crewmember duties

(a) The collective duties of the crewmembers staffing a BLS ambulance shall include, but are not limited to:

1. Assuring that all required and necessary equipment and supplies are onboard the vehicle and in working order prior to departure;

2. Operating the vehicle in a safe manner, starting and stopping the vehicle slowly and smoothly and complying with all applicable motor vehicle laws, rules and/or regulations;

3. Providing the patient with prompt, effective and appropriate medical care;

4. If necessary, extricating the patient from confinement;

5. Loading and unloading the patient from the vehicle;

6. Assuring that the patient is attended to by at least one crewmember at all times;

7. Continually monitoring the patient's condition and equipment;

8. For seriously ill or injured patients, notifying the receiving health care facility prior to arrival that special professional services and/or assistance will be needed;

9. Complying with all applicable laws, rules and/or regulations pertaining to universal precautions, body substance isolation procedures and the handling of the deceased;

10. Supervising the well being of the patient and ensuring the patient's privacy and comfort;

11. Assuring that all vehicle occupants (patients, passengers and crewmembers) are properly restrained in accordance with 8:40-4.4(f). The crewmembers need not wear an automotive safety belt when providing essential life support such as CPR;

12. Assuring that all equipment and patient transport devices are safely and properly stored and/or restrained in a crashworthy manner;

13. Completing the patient care report;

14. Reporting verbally and leaving a complete copy of the patient care report with the appropriate personnel when the patient is delivered to the receiving health care facility.

i. All patients must be screened according to the COVID-19 Triage Protocol for EMS Providers, which is incorporated herein by reference, at N.J.A.C. 8:40-6.4 Appendix A.

ii. If the patient meets the criteria for triaging to home, as set forth in the COVID-19 Triage Protocol for EMS Providers, then the EMT shall consult with their BLS provider's medical director, their pre-designated medical command physician, or otherwise arranged hospital medical command. Any agency that does not have a medical director, a pre-designated medical command physician, or otherwise arranged hospital medical command may not implement this protocol.

iii. If the medical authority agrees that the patient should be triaged to home, then the patient may remain at home and does not have to be transported to an emergency department.

iv. If the medical authority disagrees that the patient should be triaged to home, then the EMT shall transport the patient to the closest, most appropriate emergency department.

v. The EMT shall document, in the patient's ePCR, the EMT's contact with the medical authority and the medical authority's determination as to whether the patient should be triaged at home.

vi. When triaged to home, the EMT shall provide the patient with the COVID-19 Home Care Guide, which is incorporated herein by reference, at N.J.A.C. 8:40-6.4 Appendix B.

vii. All patient care reports shall be documented electronically.

viii. Complying with this waiver shall not constitute patient abandonment pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:40A-10.2(b)5.

ix. For all other patients complaining of symptoms not associated with COVID-19, the provisions set forth at N.J.A.C. 8:40-3.6 and in this section shall remain in effect.

x. The provisions at (b)14i through ix above shall not apply to calls for emergency medical services initiated by a healthcare provider, such as health providers in long-term care facilities, institutional settings, and assisted living facilities.

(1) For healthcare provider initiated emergency medical services calls, responding EMTs shall transport the patient to the closest, most appropriate acute care hospital and shall not use the COVID-19 Triage Protocol; and

15. Prohibiting smoking within the vehicle at all times.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:40-6.4

Modified by Executive Order No. 103(2020) 52 N.J.R. 1643(a), effective 4/15/2020