SECTION 310:641-11-10. General provisions for ground specialty care transport vehicles

(a)   Authorized emergency vehicles of licensed ambulance services shall comply at all times with the applicable requirements of Title 47, the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Code to include audio and visual warning indicators.

(b)   Authorized specialty care emergency vehicles shall be in good mechanical and serviceable condition at all times, so as not to be hazardous to the patient(s) or crewmembers. If, in the determination of the Department, a vehicle does not meet this requirement, it may be removed from service until repairs are made.

(c)   Authorized specialty care emergency vehicles of licensed ambulance services shall be tested for interior carbon monoxide, in a manner acceptable to the Department. Carbon monoxide levels of more than ten parts per million (10ppm) shall be considered in excess and shall render the vehicle "out of compliance". Vehicles shall be removed from service if carbon monoxide levels exceed fifty parts per million (50ppm) and until repairs are made to reduce the amounts of carbon monoxide below ten (10ppm) parts per million.

(d)   Authorized specialty care emergency vehicles of licensed specialty care ambulance services utilized for the provision of patient care shall be equipped with communication equipment (e.g. two-way radio utilizing VHF frequency 155.3400) which shall provide voice contact with the emergency department of the area and other hospitals outside of the area. Acceptable frequencies shall be approved and consistent with the Statewide Interoperability Governing Body communication plan, as adopted under the rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). No paging shall be allowed on these designated medical frequencies. Encoder numbers for Oklahoma hospitals and approval of frequencies may be obtained by contacting the Division.

(e)   Authorized specialty care emergency vehicles of licensed specialty care ambulance services shall have a permit and/or inspection decal affixed or provided by the Department. These decals shall be placed in the lower left corner of a rear window unless it shall be impossible or impractical to utilize this area.

(f)   The following permit classifications of vehicle permits shall be recognized as authorized emergency vehicles of ambulance services:

(1)   "Temporary Permit" may be affixed by the agency and will be valid for ten (10) business days. The temporary permit will be sent to the agency by the Department in the event the vehicle cannot be inspected by Department personnel within three (3) days of the Department receiving notification that a vehicle is ready for inspection.

(A)   To receive a temporary permit, the agency will send to the Department:

(i)   a completed Department inspection form;

(ii)   pictures of the interior and exterior of the vehicle;

(iii)   copies or pictures of the vehicle tag;

(iv)   copies or pictures of the insurance verification.

(B)   Upon approval of the documentation, a temporary permit will be sent to the agency.

(C)   Prior to the expiration of the temporary permit, the agency will make arrangements with the Department to ensure a complete inspection is conducted by the Department for the purpose of affixing a class "A" permit to the vehicle.

(2)   Class "A" permit shall be affixed to an ambulance in compliance with all applicable standards. Emergency and non-emergency ambulance patients may be transported in class "A" ambulances.

(3)   Class "B" permit shall be affixed to an ambulance in compliance with manufacturing, communication, safety, and Title 47 of Oklahoma Statutes requirements. Class "B" vehicles shall have the required medical equipment on board when placed in-service to respond to emergency calls or transport any ambulance patients.

(g)   When a vehicle is sold or removed from service, the agency will notify the Department on an approved form, remove the permit, and return the form and permit to the Department within ten (10) days.

(h)   A vehicle with any of the following deficiencies or malfunctions may not be used for any patient transports:

(1)   inadequate sanitation, including the presence of contamination by blood and or bodily fluids;

(2)   inoperable heater or air conditioner as detailed within the vehicle manufacturing standards and specifications;

(3)   inoperable AED or defibrillator;

(4)   tires that do not meet Oklahoma Statutes Title 47, Chapter 12 requirements;

(5)   inoperable emergency lighting or siren;

(6)   inoperable oxygen system or less than 200 psi in onboard oxygen system;

(7)   both portable and vehicle suction apparatus are inoperable;

(8)   carbon monoxide levels greater than fifty (50) parts per million;

(9)   lapse of vehicle liability insurance;

(10)   lapse of worker compensation insurance;

(11)   inability to affix a class "A" or "B" permit on an existing permitted vehicle;

(12)   vehicle that does not comply with statutory safety equipment found in Title 47.

(i)   If such violation is not or cannot be corrected immediately, any affected vehicle shall be removed from service and the ambulance permit shall be removed until such time the vehicle is compliant and has been re- inspected and permitted by the Department.

(j)   Any patient care equipment and supplies carried on an ambulance that is not on the approved equipment list will need Department approval through the protocol approval process.

(k)   All lighting, both interior and exterior, shall be fully operational, including lens caps.

(l)   All designated seating positions in the patient compartment shall be equipped with functioning safety restraint systems appropriate for each type of seating configuration.

(m)   All oxygen tanks, (portable and onboard) shall be secured within brackets compliant with the specification of the manufacture standards.

(n)   Each vehicle shall not have any structural or functional defects that may adversely affect the patient, personnel, or the safe operation of the vehicle to include: windshield wipers, steering systems, brakes, seatbelts, and interior or exterior compartment doors and latches.

(o)   Each permitted vehicle shall have an accessible copy (electronic or paper) of the agencies approved protocols.

[Source: Added at 33 Ok Reg 1529, eff 9-11-16]