Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-34-16a

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 49, December 5, 2024

Section 28-34-16a - Emergency services

(a) Emergency services plans. Each hospital shall maintain a comprehensive, written emergency services plan based on community need and on the capability of the hospital. This plan shall include procedures whereby an ill or injured person can be addressed and either treated, referred to an appropriate facility or discharged. Regardless of the scope of its services, each hospital shall provide and maintain equipment necessary to institute essential life-saving measures for inpatients and, when referral is indicated, shall arrange for necessary transportation.

(b) Organized emergency services. In hospitals with organized emergency services, the following shall apply.

(1) Emergency services shall be available 24 hours a day, and medical staff coverage shall be adequate so that the patient will be seen within a period of time which is reasonable relative to the severity of the patient's illness or injury.

(2) No patient shall be transferred until the patient has been stabilized. A written statement of the patient's immediate medical problem shall accompany the patient when transferred. Every patient seeking medical care from the emergency services who is not in need of immediate medical care or for whom services cannot be provided by the hospital shall be given information about obtaining medical care.

(3) The emergency service, regardless of its scope, shall be organized and integrated with other departments of the hospital.

(4) The service shall be directed by a physician. The governing body shall adopt a written statement defining the qualifications, duties, and authority of the director. In the absence of a single physician, the direction of emergency medical services may be provided through a multidisciplinary medical staff committee, including at least one physician. The chairperson of this committee shall serve as director.

(5) The emergency nursing service shall be directed and supervised by a registered nurse with training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. At least one registered nurse with this training shall be available at all times.

(6) The emergency service area shall be located near an outside entrance to the hospital and shall be easily accessible from within the hospital. Suction and oxygen equipment and cardiopulmonary resuscitation units shall be available and ready for use. This equipment shall include equipment used for tracheal intubation, tracheotomy, ventilating bronchoscopy, intra-pleural decompression and intravenous fluid administration. Standard drugs, parental fluids, plasma substitutes and surgical supplies shall be on hand for immediate use in treating life-threatening conditions.

(7) Written policies and procedures which delineate the proper administrative and medical procedures and methods to be followed in providing emergency care shall be established. A medical record shall be kept for each patient receiving emergency services and it shall be made a part of any other patient medical record maintained in accordance with K.A.R. 28-34-9a and amendments thereto.

(c) Cessation of organized emergency services. Any hospital ceasing to provide organized emergency services, at least 30 days prior to such action, or as soon as possible, shall:

(1) Document approval of the governing body of the closure of the organized emergency services;

(2) notify the licensing agency;

(3) place a legal public notice in the local newspaper of such cessation of services; and

(4) notify the Kansas department of transportation and the Kansas board of emergency medical services.

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 28-34-16a

Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 65-431; effective June 28, 1993.