<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 30.09.09.05" title_num="30" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="09" heading="Inspections and Investigations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>SOCALR may inspect a commercial ambulance service or commercial ambulance and investigate compliance by a commercial ambulance crew member to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Decide whether to issue a license;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Ensure the health, safety, or welfare of the persons who utilize commercial ambulance services; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Respond to a complaint.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>SOCALR may inspect the following to verify eligibility or continued compliance with this subtitle:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All premises designated on the application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All commercial ambulances;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>All required equipment and supplies;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The manner of use of required equipment;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The manner of operation of the commercial ambulance service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The driver's licenses and health care certification or license issued by MIEMSS for each crew member; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>All records regarding the operation of the commercial ambulance service relating to this subtitle, including patient medical records when appropriate.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>SOCALR may conduct confidential conferences with staff or patients during any inspection or investigation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Upon request by SOCALR, a commercial ambulance service, and its owners, management, employees, or agents, shall, at reasonable times and without delay, allow SOCALR to enter all premises designated on the application or used in the operation of a commercial ambulance service, and all commercial ambulances used by the commercial ambulance service, for the purpose of an inspection or investigation necessary to ensure compliance with this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Inspections to evaluate eligibility of a commercial ambulance service or a commercial ambulance for a license shall be scheduled with the management of the commercial ambulance service at least 24 hours before the inspection unless otherwise mutually agreed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Inspections to ensure continued compliance with this subtitle do not require advance notice.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Inspection Procedure. SOCALR shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Identify itself at the inspection site;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Inform the commercial ambulance service representative of the purpose for the inspection; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Inform the commercial ambulance service representative when the inspection has been completed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>SOCALR may inspect a commercial ambulance vehicle at any reasonable time, including whenever it is present at a health care facility or other place of medical care or when picking up, transporting, or discharging any patient.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Inspections shall be conducted without impeding patient care or unreasonably delaying patient transport unless, in the judgment of SOCALR, the patient care being rendered is detrimental or is reasonably likely to be detrimental to the patient's health, safety, or welfare.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>No one may impede SOCALR in conducting lawful inspections necessary to evaluate compliance with this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>SOCALR may, with written permission from a commercial ambulance service's owner, which may include a hold harmless clause, ride on commercial ambulance service calls for the purpose of evaluating compliance with this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>SOCALR may conduct surveys of patients served by a commercial ambulance service to evaluate compliance with this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>SOCALR may take photographs or videos during an inspection or investigation under this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="N.">
    <text>After the initial investigation, SOCALR may dismiss a complaint or terminate an investigation if it finds the complaint or alleged violation to be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Frivolous;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Made in bad faith;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Legally or factually insufficient; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Fully resolved to the satisfaction of the SOCALR.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>