New Hanover Regional New Hanover Regional EMS Medical Center

Report as inappropriate Your report has been received

Shared by: HC120207045940

Tags

Stats

views:: 48
posted:: 2/6/2012
language:: Latin
pages:: 4

Public Domain

Document Sample

New Hanover Regional
New Hanover Regional EMS
Medical Center
POLICY & PROCEDURE
Title: Emergency Vehicle Operations and Maintenance
Origination Date: 4/3/02 Manual:
Review Date(s): 12/16/02, 9/8/03 Section: Safety

Revision Date(s): 12/16/02, 9/8/03 Policy No.:
Effective Date: 9/8/03 Contact Dept.: NHREMS

Approval(s):

J. E. Woodard, Jr., Chief Eveline Saltmarsh, Asst. Chief
Emergency Medical Services Flight Operations & Critical Care Transport

Patricia Fields, Asst. Chief
Field Operations & Communications

I. POLICY
All personnel who operate NHREMS vehicles must receive adequate orientation and training to
ensure safe operation. In emergency situations, this may include personnel from Wilmington City
and New Hanover County Fire Departments who are authorized to drive emergency vehicles in
their current positions.

II. PROCEDURE
1. All staff who operate network vehicles must meet the minimum driving requirements for all network
employees. (See Environment of Care Safety Manual: Policy ___ Safe Driver’s Policy.)

2. All staff who operate NHREMS vehicles are required to attend the departmental emergency driver’s
training program.

3. All staff who drive NHREMS vehicles during patient transports or emergency operations must receive
training in Emergency Vehicle Operations.

4. Primary responsibility for safe vehicle operation will always remain with the assigned driver. The
assigned driver will make the final decision on which crewmembers or fire department personnel may
drive the vehicle using the above guidelines and knowledge of the individuals skill level.

III. PUBLIC SAFETY
1. A second crewmember shall assist the driver in backing at all times when it does not interfere with the
delivery of patient care. The crewmember will exit the vehicle and direct the driver from a position in
the rear of the vehicle.

2. Wheel chocks will be placed in the front and back of one tire anytime the vehicle is unattended by a
driver.

Page 1 of 4
NHREMS Emergency Vehicle Operations & Maintenance

3. NHREMS should not exceed the posted speed limit by 10 miles per hour and never faster than is safe
avoiding careless and reckless operation.

4. NHREMS shall not pass stopped school buses loading or unloading students regardless of the type
of emergency response. A school bus yielding the right of way to the unit may be passed.

5. The unit shall come to a complete stop at all intersections where stop signs are displayed in the unit's
direction of travel or where a unit must proceed against a red traffic signal during emergency
operations. The unit shall proceed only when it has been determined that traffic conditions shall
permit such action.

6. Driving emergency traffic “10-18” during interfacility ground transports will not be warranted unless
the attending RN and/or Paramedic cannot control life-threatening conditions or the patient is at high
risk for deterioration during transport.

7. All emergency transports shall be conducted with the use of warning lights, headlights, and sirens at
all times while the vehicle is in motion. 4-way vehicle flashers should not be used.

8. When responding to a non-emergency transport, NHREMS will not use warning lights or sirens.

9. Always remember that North Carolina State Law does not protect the driver of an emergency vehicle
from the consequences of reckless disregard for the safety of others.

10. Only staff members and patients shall be allowed on the NHREMS Critical Care Transport (VitaLink)
vehicle during transportation. Due to the critical condition of patients being transported, family
members and friends should not accompany the patient in the vehicle. (At the discretion of the crew,
exceptions may be made for pediatric patients or other special circumstances. If a family member
must ride-along, they should be placed in the front seat of the ambulance and seatbelted.) Family
members may not accompany a patient on the aircraft (AirLink).

11. No more than one family member or companion should accompany NHREMS Field Operations or
PCTS vehicles during transport. Ride alongs should be seat-belted in the front passenger seat. (At
the discretion of the crew, exceptions may be made for pediatric patients or other special
circumstances. Ride-alongs in the patient compartment must be securely seat-belted.)

12. The driver must obey all local, state, and federal motor vehicle laws and regulations.

13. The driver will maintain an awareness of the effect of sudden starts and stops on the patient and staff
in the back of the vehicle. The driver will make the flow of vehicle movement as smooth as possible.

14. Maximum Driving and On-Duty Time:

The vehicle driver plays the most important role in maintaining the safety of the staff, patient, and
vehicle. The assigned driver is the ultimate authority in regards to driving and vehicle safety issues.
At all times, drivers should be aware of any condition, which may prevent them from performing their
duties safely. These guidelines are industry recognized standards and are adopted from the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, U.S. Department of Transportation - Federal Highway
Administration. They will serve as the foundation for all driver safety related issues.

A. Definitions - As used in this section, the following words and terms are construed to mean:
 On-Duty time: All time from when a person begins work or is required to be in readiness
to work until the time he/she is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing
work.
 Driving time: The terms "drive" and "driving time" shall include all time spent at the driving
controls of a motor vehicle in operation.

Page 2 of 3
NHREMS Emergency Vehicle Operations & Maintenance

B. Maximum Driving Time: NHREMS shall not permit or require any employee to drive nor shall any
such employee drive:
 more than 10 continuous hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty; or
 for any period after having been on-duty 16 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty,
 if engaged in other full or part time employment, has not had a minimum of 8 hours of
rest immediately preceding his shift.

1. Exceptions may be required for disaster and hurricane operations.
2. 24-hour shifts are exempt from this restriction.

C. Maximum On-Duty Time: NHREMS shall not permit or require any employee to remain on-duty:
 for any period after having been on-duty 16 hours following 8 consecutive hours off duty,
 if engaged in other full or part-time employment, without a minimum of 8 hours of rest
immediately preceding his/her shift.

1. Exceptions may be required for disaster and hurricane operations.
2. 24-hour shifts are exempt from this restriction.

15. The driver shall not drive the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, debilitating illness or
any other condition, which could impair the driver's judgement.

16. The driver shall not drive the vehicle if the vehicle is unsafe or if weather or other conditions would
jeopardize the safety of the vehicle, crew or patient.

17. The driver shall immediately report all accidents and incidents involving the vehicle. This includes
physical damage and traffic violations. Drug testing will be performed as described in the Safe
Driver’s Policy.

18. The driver shall not tamper with, alter or destroy any vehicle operation-monitoring device.

IV. DRIVER EDUCATION:
Every employee required to operate an emergency vehicle, as part of their job description will maintain
annual competency in emergency vehicle operations throughout their employment with NHREMS.
Documentation of the original education, authorization, and yearly continuing education will be kept in
training files of each employee.

V. VEHICLE MAINTENANCE:
1. A preventative maintenance program will be maintained on all NHREMS vehicles.
2. Expectations of the assigned driver are:
a. Complete the daily vehicle inspection.
b. Maintain an awareness of changes in the vehicle condition. When a mechanical difficulty is
suspected, the assigned driver should:
(1) Safely stop the vehicle.
(2) Assess the vehicle’s status.
(3) Advise team members of the situation.
(4) Contact dispatch and the on-duty supervisor.
(5) Contact local mechanics and/or towing. (Contacts and phone numbers are located in the
driver’s handbook.)
(6) Remain with the vehicle until the situation is resolved.
5. In the event mechanical difficulties occur while a patient is being transported and the vehicle is
unable to continue the transport, the crew should:
a. Notify dispatch, medical control, and the on-duty supervisor of patient and vehicle status.

Page 3 of 3
NHREMS Emergency Vehicle Operations & Maintenance

b. Contact an appropriate transport service and ask for assistance to transport the patient.
c. Remain with the patient to ensure continuity of care.

Page 4 of 3