<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" citation="COMAR 30.09.07.03" title_num="30" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="07" heading="Operational Requirements for Ambulances.">
  <text>A commercial ambulance service shall:</text>
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Only dispatch an ambulance if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The ambulance and crew can:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Arrive at the scene within a reasonable response time;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Provide appropriate transportation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Provide appropriate medical care;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The ambulance has available all of the following in adequate amounts to meet the needs of the patient being transported:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Adequate supplies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Adequate equipment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>All equipment assembled and ready for use, except items that are sterile;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>All portable oxygen cylinders which have a total of 210 liters at 1500 psi or more, excluding any cylinder with less than 500 psi;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A cylinder attached to the portable oxygen administration device with more than 500 psi, and, if present, an onboard cylinder which has more than 300 psi;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Sufficient oxygen available, after deducting for a safe residual pressure of 200 psi per cylinder, to meet the needs of the patient being transported based on the expected flow rate and the required duration of transport given the following formula and cylinder constants:</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Oxygen cylinders located in the patient compartment secured by a crash stable bracket that meets:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>For ground ambulances, the test requirements in Ambulance Manufacturers Division Oxygen Tank Retention Standard 003; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>For air ambulances, FAA requirements;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Oxygen cylinders located in a compartment other than the patient compartment secured in a bracket appropriate for the cylinder that has:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A positive locking latch, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Both latch and hinges bolted to the door frame structure;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(i)">
        <text>Communication equipment required in COMAR 30.09.10.04C which:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Is reliable, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Can properly communicate with the ambulance services dispatch center from the time of dispatch until time call is completed;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(j)">
        <text>Communication equipment required in COMAR 30.09.10.04D which:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Is reliable,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Can properly communicate with online medical control in Maryland, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Meets the specifications set forth by the MIEMSS Emergency Medical Services Communications;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(k)">
        <text>A reliable means of communication from the point of dispatch until the patient reaches the final destination;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The ambulance crew is adequately trained to safely:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Operate an ambulance; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Use the equipment and supplies onboard;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Place medical supplies out of service as they expire and properly discard medical supplies which are expired;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Place malfunctioning medical equipment out of service until the equipment has been repaired or replaced;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Have an adequate number of AEDs to provide one AED on every:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>BLS licensed ambulance in service; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>ALS licensed ambulance in service operating as a BLS ambulance;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>For ground ambulances, have each ambulance inspected every 12 months by an inspection station licensed under Transportation Article, §23-103, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>For ground ambulances, designate and maintain ambulances as emergency vehicles by equipping them with necessary:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Lights;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Sirens; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Special markings;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Under Transportation Article, §11-118, Annotated Code of Maryland, equip and operate only ambulances as emergency vehicles;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Always operate each ambulance with due regard for the public;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Only use emergency warning lights and audible warning devices when:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>En route to an emergency as a result of a call for assistance made directly to the commercial ambulance service; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Transporting a priority 1 patient;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>Maintain in proper working order and good physical condition and, where applicable, meet all manufacturers recommendations for all:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Equipment; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ambulances;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>Display the ambulance license, or a copy, in the patient compartment in a manner clearly visible to the patient;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>Prohibit smoking or the carrying of lighted tobacco products on ambulances;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>For ground ambulances, prohibit an ambulance to be driven, and may not allow any passengers or patients on board, until necessary repairs are completed and an inspection conducted if any of the following occur:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>An occupant complains of symptoms associated with or has been affected by carbon monoxide as a result of riding in the ambulance;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Carbon monoxide levels at or above 9 parts per million are detected in the interior of the ambulance; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A mechanical condition is discovered that is reasonably likely to produce a carbon monoxide hazard to the occupants;</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="N.">
    <text>Assure occupants are safely transported in ambulances by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Requiring all occupants to wear safety restraints, except as necessary to attend to a patient;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Requiring all patients to be secured to stretchers in accordance with the stretcher manufacturer's recommendation, except as may be necessary for treatment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For ground ambulances:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Operating an ambulance only when the ambulance is equipped with devices that comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards (49 CFR Part 571) for:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Restraints;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Anchors; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Mechanisms; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Transport children younger than 4 years old, who are passengers and not patients, only in the front passenger compartment when:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The child is secured in a child passenger restraint system which meets State and federal motor vehicle safety standards; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The vehicle is not equipped with a passenger air bag;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="O.">
    <text>Stow or adequately fasten all medical devices, supplies, or equipment to the satisfaction of SOCALR to prevent items from becoming projectiles that might cause injury in an abrupt stop or crash;</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="P.">
    <text>Assure that compartments used to carry heavier items, first aid kits, portable oxygen cylinders, suction units, intravenous pumps, ventilators, and monitors have positively locking latches:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>With both latch and hinge bolted to the door and frame structure; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>That are designed to remain closed in an abrupt stop or crash, including rollovers; and</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="Q.">
    <text>Carry intravenous fluids, saline, sterile water, or other fluids only in bags or plastic bottles unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A specific required fluid is only available in a glass container; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Protective measures are employed to protect occupants from broken glass in the event of breakage.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>