OAR 333-250-0330: Patient Rights for Emergency Medical Care and Transportation

(1) An ambulance service licensed by the Oregon Health Authority (Authority) shall maintain written policies and procedures regarding patient rights. (2) A statement of patient rights shall be distributed to each employee or volunteer and made available in the business office and in each satellite location. (3) The statement of patient rights shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (a) Access to appropriate emergency medical care and transportation without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability; (b) Emergency medical services (EMS) providers will be considerate and respectful to all patients regardless of status; (c) Opportunity to refuse any medical care or transportation to a medical facility when informed about the care to be provided and the risks associated with refusing medical care or transportation; (d) Transportation to a clinically appropriate medical facility of the patient's choice without questioning ability to pay. The agency may elect to transport to a closer, appropriate medical facility if a patient's facility of choice: (A) Is unreasonable due to unsafe conditions; or (B) Requires an ambulance to be taken out of service for an unreasonable amount of time; (e) When appropriate, opportunity to request private transport, for example from a friend or family member; (f) Patient's health information will be protected in accordance with state and federal privacy laws; (g) Opportunity to receive, upon request, medical information relating to the care or transport provided by EMS providers; (h) Opportunity to receive, upon request, a reasonable explanation of any charges for emergency medical care provided by EMS providers or for ambulance services; and (i) Information on how and where to file a complaint about the services performed is posted and available. (4) Notwithstanding subsection (3)(d) of this rule, a licensed ambulance service may transport a patient without consent if the patient is incapacitated or cannot make sound decisions based upon illness, injury or age.