Minnesota Session Laws - 2009, Regular Session

CHAPTER 74--S.F.No. 1217

An act

relating to health; modifying emergency medical transport provisions;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 144.604, subdivisions 1, 2; 144.608, subdivision 3; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 3.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Transport requirement.

Unless the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board has approved a licensed ambulance service's deviation from the guidelines under section 144E.101, subdivision 14, the ambulance service must transport major trauma patients from the scene deleted text begin to the highest state-designated trauma hospital within 30 minutes' transport time deleted text end new text begin according to subdivision 2 new text end .

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2010. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Ground ambulance deleted text begin exceptions deleted text end new text begin transportation new text end .

deleted text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 1, ground ambulances must comply with the following: deleted text end

deleted text begin (1) patients with compromised airways must be transported immediately to the nearest designated trauma hospital; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) level II trauma hospitals capable of providing definitive trauma care must not be bypassed to reach a level I trauma hospital. deleted text end new text begin Ground ambulances must immediately transport patients with compromised airways to the nearest designated trauma hospital. If no designated trauma hospital exists within 30 minutes transport time, the patient must be transported to the closest hospital. In cases where a patient does not have a compromised airway, the ground ambulance must transport major trauma patients: new text end

new text begin (1) to a level I or level II trauma hospital within thirty minutes transport time; new text end

new text begin (2) if no level I or level II trauma hospital exists within 30 minutes transport time, the patient must be transported to the closest designated trauma hospital within 30 minutes transport time or to a more appropriate higher designated trauma hospital if predetermined by the ambulance service medical director; or new text end

new text begin (3) if no designated trauma hospital exists within 30 minutes transport time, the patient must be transported to the closest hospital. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2010. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.608, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Regional trauma advisory councils.

(a) Up to eight regional trauma advisory councils may be formed as needed.

(b) Regional trauma advisory councils shall advise, consult with, and make recommendation to the state Trauma Advisory Council on suggested regional modifications to the statewide trauma criteria that will improve patient care and accommodate specific regional needs. new text begin The commissioner, in consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board and the emergency medical services and trauma hospitals in each region, shall provide quarterly data updates on major trauma scene ground ambulance transports to each regional trauma advisory council. new text end

(c) Each regional advisory council must have no more than 15 members. The commissioner, in consultation with the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board, shall name the council members.

(d) Regional council members may receive expenses in the same manner and amount as authorized by the plan adopted under section 43A.18, subdivision 2.

Sec. 4.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 144.604, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor May 8, 2009

Signed by the governor May 12, 2009, 10:20 p.m.