FL H0793

Creates Section 395.3042, Florida Statutes, requiring emergency medical services (EMS) providers to transport ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to the most appropriate facility, with preference for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers or certified chest pain centers.

Requires medical directors of licensed EMS providers to establish protocols for assessment, treatment, destination selection, and transportation of cardiac patients, including specific criteria for suspected STEMI patients; exempts nonemergency ambulance-only providers.

Directs the Department of Health to identify and provide EMS providers with opportunities, partnerships, and resources to secure equipment for identifying suspected STEMI patients, including potential funding through the Emergency Medical Services Grant program.

Requires hospitals that routinely care for adult acute cardiac patients to participate and cooperate with EMS medical directors on local STEMI protocols, and mandates hospitals report specified data on suspected STEMI patients within 30 days of discharge, transfer, or death.

Establishes July 1, 2011, as the compliance deadline for all licensed EMS providers to meet the requirements of this act, with the legislation effective July 1, 2010.