FL S1822

Requires emergency medical services (EMS) providers to transport acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients to the most appropriate facility, with preference for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers or Society of Chest Pain Centers certified facilities.

Mandates medical directors of licensed EMS providers establish protocols for assessment, treatment, and destination selection for suspected cardiac patients by July 1, 2011, with exemption for non-emergency ambulance transportation services.

Requires hospitals to report detailed data on suspected STEMI patients to the EMS medical director within 30 days of patient discharge, transfer, or death, including arrival times, medical therapy administered, and survival outcomes.

Obligates medical facilities that treat acute cardiac patients to cooperate with EMS medical directors in establishing local STEMI systems of care and to notify EMS of any changes in PCI service availability.

Provides that the Department of Health assist EMS providers in obtaining equipment for STEMI identification and grants EMS providers and medical directors immunity from liability if hospitals fail to provide timely notice of service status changes.