NAC450B.611. Base stations, protocols and procedures.

     1. Each service and fire-fighting agency shall identify at least one base station providing 24-hour voice communication between a physician and personnel who provide emergency care. The station or stations must be identified in the application for a permit for the service or fire-fighting agency submitted to the Health Division.

     2. The medical director of a service or fire-fighting agency shall identify local protocols which define the circumstances under which verbal medical directions must be given by a physician to personnel who provide emergency care.

     3. Except as otherwise provided by local protocol, a receiving hospital must be notified before the arrival of each patient transported by the service or fire-fighting agency.

     4. The medical director of the service or fire-fighting agency may establish requirements for the training of the physician at the base station to assure that the physician is knowledgeable of the protocols and procedures established by the medical director.

     5. A base station with an agreement to provide 24-hour communication between a physician and a provider of emergency care shall require that the physician providing medical directions is knowledgeable of:

     (a) The procedures for treatment established by the medical director of the service or fire-fighting agency;

     (b) The communication system establishing contact between personnel who provide emergency care and the base station;

     (c) The emergency care of acutely ill or injured patients;

     (d) The capabilities of the providers of emergency care; and

     (e) The policies of local and regional emergency medical services and protocols for referring patients with trauma.

     6. A physician at a base station providing medical directions to a provider of emergency care may participate in medical audits of that care in conjunction with the medical director regarding the proper use of protocols and procedures.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health, eff. 8-1-91; A by R045-97, 10-30-97)