<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" citation="COMAR 30.09.12.02" title_num="30" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="12" heading="Requirements for a Neonatal Commercial Ambulance Service.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A commercial ambulance service wishing to provide neonatal ambulance services shall comply with the requirements of this chapter in addition to the other applicable requirements of this subtitle.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An ambulance service transporting neonates shall obtain a neonatal commercial ambulance service license.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>An applicant for a neonatal commercial ambulance service license shall submit an application to SOCALR on the required form.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>A completed application form shall be accompanied by documentation which states to SOCALR’s satisfaction that the commercial ambulance service has:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Retained two or more registered nurses who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Meet the requirements of the Board of Nursing under COMAR 10.27.09.04 to provide nursing care to neonates during interfacility transport; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Agree to assume responsibility for patient care during the transport process;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Retained one or more physicians who are board certified or are active candidates for board certification in neonatology who:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Possess current knowledge of the Maryland EMS System as required in COMAR 30.03.03.03B(4), as well as current knowledge of:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The effects of transport on the neonate; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>The operation of neonatal transport equipment and ambulance communications equipment; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Working with a neonatal or perinatal center, agree to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Serve as medical director for the neonatal service;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Provide medical direction to the commercial ambulance service's personnel-related neonatal care;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Provide training as required in neonatal care; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Participate in a quality assurance program; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If providing neonatal transport services in partnership with a hospital-based neonatal intensive care unit, a written MOU stating that all equipment and medications required to transport a neonate under this chapter will be readily available to the service.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A licensed neonatal commercial ambulance service shall immediately advise SOCALR of any change in the medical director named in §D(2) of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A licensed neonatal commercial ambulance service may not transport a neonate from one hospital to another for a higher level of care unless the admitting hospital:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Is a perinatal center;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Is a neonatal center;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Before designation of perinatal centers by the EMS Board, has a certificate of need issued by the Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission for its neonatal intensive care unit or approval from Maryland Health Resources Planning Commission for a neonatal intensive care unit; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Before the EMS Board has completed the process of entering into an agreement with an out-of-State hospital to serve as an out-of-State perinatal referral center, possesses all government approvals required to operate a neonatal intensive care unit under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is located including, if required, a certificate of need and all necessary licenses.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Neonates.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Neonates being transferred  to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) shall be transported by a neonatal licensed transport service, as described in Regulation .04 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Neonates being transferred to any acute care setting other than a NICU shall be transported by either:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A neonatal licensed transport service; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A specialty care transport (SCT) service with an RN who has age-appropriate competencies and equipment.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Infants. Infants being transferred to any acute care setting shall be transported by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A neonatal licensed transport service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An SCT service with a staff who has age-appropriate competencies and equipment; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An ALS unit that includes staff with age-appropriate competencies and equipment, only after a neonatal licensed transport or SCT service has reviewed the case and referred it to the ALS service.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Neonates or Infants being transported for convalescent care at a rehabilitation hospital or long-term facility shall be transported by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A neonatal licensed transport service;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An SCT service with a staff who has age-appropriate competencies and equipment; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>An ALS unit that includes staff with age-appropriate competencies and equipment, only after a neonatal licensed transport or SCT service has reviewed the case and referred it to the ALS service.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>