OAR 333-255-0110: Survey of Ambulance Vehicle

(1) In addition to any investigation conducted under OAR 333-255-0105, the Oregon Health Authority (Authority) may conduct a survey of an ambulance vehicle for the purpose of evaluating the eligibility of an ambulance service to receive or retain an ambulance vehicle license and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the persons who utilize ambulance vehicles. (2) An ambulance vehicle may be exempt from the survey process if: (a) An initial survey of the ambulance service was conducted by the Authority previously and the ambulance service license remains active and in good standing; (b) The ambulance service is accredited by a nationally recognized emergency medical services (EMS) accreditation program that meets or exceeds Oregon requirements. A copy of the survey report from the nationally recognized EMS accreditation program must be filed with the Authority for approval; or (c) The ambulance service and ambulance vehicle has undergone a survey from a designee approved by the Authority or a local city or county governing body. A copy of the survey report from the local city or county governing body or state designee must be filed with the Authority for approval. (3) Initial and routine surveys of an ambulance vehicle must be scheduled with the management of the ambulance service at least 72 hours in advance of the survey unless otherwise mutually agreed upon by the Authority and ambulance service administrator or designee. The Authority: (a) May survey an ambulance vehicle whenever the vehicle is present at the ambulance service office or any satellite-office location. (b) Shall conduct a survey without impeding patient care or unreasonably delaying patient transport, unless in the judgment of the Authority, the lack of properly operating patient care equipment, the safety condition of the ambulance vehicle, or the patient care being rendered is detrimental or is reasonably likely to be detrimental to the patient's health, safety, or welfare. (c) Shall be permitted access and entry, without delay, to all premises housing an ambulance vehicle for the purpose of a vehicle survey. No one, including but not limited to, the ambulance service licensee, the ambulance service administrator, employees, volunteers, and EMS medical director, may impede the Authority in conducting a lawful survey of an ambulance vehicle to evaluate compliance with ORS chapter 682; OAR chapter 333, division 250; and these rules. (d) May accompany an ambulance crew on a call for the purpose of evaluating compliance with the requirements of ORS chapter 682; OAR chapter 333, division 250; and these rules. (4) In conducting a survey, the Authority must: (a) Identify themself by presenting Authority identification to the ambulance service licensee, ambulance service administrator, ranking employee, or volunteer present at the site of a survey or interview; (b) Inform the ambulance service administrator or designee of the purpose for the survey; and (c) Inform the ambulance service administrator or designee when the survey or interview has been completed and the preliminary results of the survey. (5) A survey may include but is not limited to: (a) Interviews of patients, patient family members, ambulance management or staff; (b) On-site observation of staff performance and the physical environment of the ambulance service or ambulance vehicle; and (c) Review of documents and records. (6) An ambulance service shall make all requested documents and records available to the surveyor for review and copying. (7) The Authority shall have the authority to make photographic, video-graphic or audio recording documentation as part of a survey for or investigation of non-compliance with ORS chapter 682; OAR chapter 333, division 250 and these rules. (8) Following the survey, Authority staff shall prepare and provide the ambulance service administrator or designee specific and timely written notice of the findings. (9) If the findings result in a referral to another regulatory agency, Authority staff shall submit applicable information to that referral agency for its review and determination of appropriate action. (10) If no deficiencies are found during a survey, the Authority shall issue written findings to the ambulance service administrator or designee indicating that fact. (11) At the completion of the survey process, a final report identifying findings shall be sent to the county governing body, the ambulance service EMS medical director and the ambulance service plan administrator. (12) If deficiencies are found, the Authority shall take informal or formal enforcement action in accordance with OAR 333-255-0120 or 333-255-0125.