SECTION 310:641-13-13. Communications

(a)   All air ambulance aircraft shall have radio capability to communicate air to ground, air to air, and ground to air. The aircraft communication system will include two-way communications:

(1)   with physician(s) who are responsible for directing patient care in transit, and

(2)   with ground personnel who coordinate the transfer of the patient by surface transportation.

(b)   The aircraft shall:

(1)   have the capability to communicate between the medical attendant and pilot, and

(2)   be in compliance with the Oklahoma State Interoperability Governing Body, and provide documentation that the aircraft can communicate with hospitals utilizing VHF frequency 155.3400.

(c)   All communications equipment used for transmitting patient care information shall be maintained in full operating condition and in good repair. Ambulance communications equipment shall be capable of transmitting and receiving clear and understandable voice communications to and from the base station at a reasonable distance. Radios on aircraft shall be capable of transmitting and receiving the following traffic:

(1)   Medical direction.

(2)   Communication Center.

(3)   EMS and law enforcement agencies.

(d)   The medical team shall be able to communicate with each other during flight.

(e)   A communication specialist shall be assigned to receive and coordinate all requests for the medical transport service. Training of the designated person shall be commensurate with the scope of responsibility and include:

(1)   EMT certification, or the equivalent in knowledge or experience which minimally includes:

(2)   medical terminology,

(3)   knowledge of EMS - roles and responsibilities of the various levels of training,

(4)   state and local regulations regarding EMS,

(5)   familiarization with equipment used in the field setting,

(6)   knowledge of Oklahoma State EMS Rules,

(7)   types of radio frequency bands used in EMS systems,

(8)   a knowledge of the hazardous materials response and recognition procedure using appropriate reference materials, and

(9)   stress recognition and management.

(f)   Aircraft shall communicate, when possible, with ground units securing unprepared landing sites prior to landing.

(g)   A record of contact shall include, but not be limited to:

(1)   time of call;

(2)   name and phone number of requesting agency;

(3)   age, diagnosis or mechanism of injury;

(4)   referring and receiving physician and facilities (for interfacility requests); as per policy of the medical transport service.

(5)   verification of acceptance of patient and verification of bed availability by referring physician and facility.

(6)   destination airport, refueling stops (if necessary) location of transportation exchange and hours of operation;

(7)   ground transportation coordination at sending and receiving areas;

(8)   time of dispatch (time crew notified flight is a go approved, post pilot OK's flight approval);

(9)   time depart base (time of lift-off or other site);

(10)   number and names of persons on board;

(11)   amount of fuel on board;

(12)   estimated time of arrival (ETA);

(13)   pertinent landing zone information;

(14)   time arrive location;

(15)   time helicopter arrives at landing zone or helipad;

(16)   time depart location;

(17)   time helicopter lifts off from landing zone or helipad;

(18)   time arrive destination;

(19)   time depart destination;

(20)   time arrive base; and

(21)   time aborted.

(h)   The communication center shall contain the following:

(1)   At least one dedicated phone line for the medical transport service;

(2)   A system for recording all incoming and outgoing telephone and radio transmissions regarding patient care with time recording and playback capabilities. Recordings are to be kept for three (3) years.

(3)   capability to immediately notify the medical transport team and on-line medical direction (through radio, pager, telephone, etc.);

(4)   a status board with information about pre-scheduled flights/patient transports, the medical transport team on duty, weather, and maintenance status;

(5)   aircraft service area maps and navigation charts shall be readily available.

(i)   Each air ambulance service shall have in place a protocol to insure no delay in aircraft response.

(1)   The air ambulance service shall provide to the caller a point of origin and an accurate ETA.

(2)   In such cases where a delay is anticipated, the air ambulance service called has a responsibility to notify the caller and assist in referral to another licensed ambulance service.

(j)   The air ambulance service shall be integrated with and communicate with other public safety agencies, including ground emergency service providers. This shall include participation in regional quality improvement reviews, regional disaster planning, and mass casualty incident drills to include an integrated response to terrorist events.

(k)   Air ambulances will provide to ground agencies and receiving facilities post event reviews, feedback, or information for the purposes of improving performance or safety.

[Source: Amended and renumbered from 310:641-3-37 at 33 Ok Reg 1529, eff 9-11-16]