SB0693 Summary

• Expands the definition of "non-emergency medical services" to include Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, and critical care transport services provided to patients whose conditions do not meet emergency criteria.

• Establishes "critical care transport" as a new service level for pre-hospital or inter-hospital transportation of critically injured or ill patients by Department-approved providers or hospitals, utilizing Paramedics with additional training, nurses, or other qualified health professionals.

• Authorizes the Department to promulgate minimum standards for critical care transport providers including personnel staffing, education, medical equipment, vehicular standards, treatment protocols, and quality assurance measures.

• Allows alternative staffing models for Basic Life Support transports utilizing an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) driver with a licensed EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, Paramedic, or PHRN in the patient compartment, subject to EMS System Program Plan approval and specific operational requirements.

• Adds provisions permitting EMS personnel to request bypass or diversion of the nearest emergency department to transport patients with no life-threatening conditions to EMS System-approved mental health facilities, urgent care, or immediate care facilities with appropriate medical control authorization.