SECTION 310:641-13-10. Air ambulance equipment

(a)   Medical control shall determine the patient's needs and level of care required when deciding what equipment shall be aboard each flight and the type of aircraft required for transport. Equipment kits, cases and/or packs which are carried on any given flight shall be available for the following categories: trauma, cardiac, burn, toxicologic, pediatric, neonatal, and obstetrics.

(b)   controlled substances shall be in a locked system and kept in a manner consistent with Federal and States requirements and applicable sections of this Chapter.

(c)   storage of medications shall allow for protection from extreme temperature changes if environment deems it necessary.

(d)   The following medical equipment shall be required to be on board every aircraft certified by the Department for air medical services:

(1)   readily available IV supplies and fluids, readily available;

(2)   hangers or hooks to secure IV solutions in place and equipment to provide high flow fluids if needed. Glass IV containers shall not be used unless required by specific medications and properly secured;

(3)   a minimum of three (3) IV infusion pumps immediately available for critical care transports;

(4)   accessible medications, consistent with the service's medical protocols;

(5)   a cardiac monitor, defibrillator and external pacemaker shall be secured and positioned so that displays are visible. Two (2) extra batteries or a power source shall be available for cardiac monitor / defibrillator or external pacemaker (adult and pediatric);

(6)   laryngoscope and tracheal intubation supplies, to include laryngoscope blades, bag-valve-mask, and oxygen supplies, including PEEP valves; appropriate for ages and potential needs of patient transported;

(7)   a mechanical ventilator appropriate for critical care transports;

(8)   two (2) suction units, one of which is portable and both of which are capable of delivering adequate suction to clear the airway with wide bore (1/4") tubing and rigid and soft suction catheters for adults, children, and infants;

(9)   pulse oximetry with adult and pediatric capability;

(10)   continuous waveform capnography monitoring capabilities and equipment;

(11)   automatic blood pressure device;

(12)   devices for decompressing a pneumothorax and performing an emergency cricothyroidotomy;

(13)   doppler stethoscope;

(14)   continuous/bi level positive airway pressure device as allowed by protocol; and

(15)   arterial line blood pressure monitoring as allowed by protocol.

(e)   All medical equipment (including specialized equipment) and supplies shall be secured according to FAR's.

(f)   All assessment and medical equipment utilized for patient care will be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. Documentation will be maintained by the agency, and made available to the Department upon request, showing the periodic tests, maintenance, and calibration are being conducted in accordance with manufacturer's requirements. Equipment shall include, but not be limited to, suction devices, pulse oximetry, glucometers, end-tidal CO2, and capnography monitors, CPAP/BiPAP devices, ventilators, and blood pressure monitors.

[Source: Amended and renumbered from 310:641-3-33 at 33 Ok Reg 1529, eff 9-11-16]