La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-9069

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-9069 - Transportation

A. The PRTF shall ensure that each resident is provided with the transportation necessary for implementation of the resident's treatment plan.

B. The PRTF shall provide or arrange transportation of its residents to and from the facility and is responsible for the safety of the residents during transport.

C. If the PRTF arranges transportation for participants through a transportation agency, the facility shall maintain a written contract which is signed by a facility representative and a representative of the transportation agency. The contract shall outline the circumstances under which transportation will be provided.

1. The written contract shall be dated and time limited and shall conform to these licensing regulations.

2. The transportation agency shall maintain in force at all times current commercial liability insurance for the operation of transportation vehicles, including medical coverage for residents in the event of an accident or injury. The PRTF shall maintain documentation of the insurance which shall consist of the insurance policy or current binder that includes the name of the transportation agency, the name of the insurance agency, policy number, and period of coverage and an explanation of the coverage.

D. Transportation arrangements shall conform to state laws, including laws governing the use of seat belts and resident restraints. Vehicles shall be accessible for people with disabilities or so equipped to meet the needs of the residents served by the PRTF.

E. The driver or attendant shall not leave a resident unattended in the vehicle at any time.

F. Vehicle and Driver Requirements

1. The vehicle shall be maintained in good repair with evidence of an annual safety inspection.

2. The use of tobacco in any form, use of alcohol and possession of illegal substances or unauthorized potentially toxic substances, firearms, pellet or BB guns (loaded or unloaded) in any vehicle while transporting residents is prohibited.

3. The number of persons in a vehicle used to transport resident shall not exceed the manufacturer's recommended capacity.

4. The facility shall maintain a copy of a valid appropriate Louisiana driver's license for all individuals who drive vehicles used to transport resident on behalf of the PRTF.

5. The facility shall maintain in force at all times current commercial liability insurance for the operation of its vehicles, including medical coverage for residents in the event of accident or injury.

a. The policy shall extend coverage to any staff member who provides transportation for any resident in the course and scope of his/her employment.

b. Documentation shall consist of the insurance policy or current binder that includes the name of the PRTF, the name of the insurance company, policy number, period of coverage, and explanation of the coverage.

6. The vehicle shall have evidence of a current safety inspection.

7. There shall be first aid supplies in each facility or contracted vehicle.

8. Each driver or attendant shall be provided with a current master transportation list including each resident's name, pick-up and drop-off locations, and authorized persons to whom the resident may be released. Documentation shall be maintained on file at the PRTF whether transportation is provided by the facility or contracted.

9. The driver or attendant shall maintain an attendance record for each trip. The record shall include the driver's name, the date, names of all passengers (resident and adults) in the vehicle, and the name of the person to whom the resident was released and the time of release. Documentation shall be maintained on file at the facility whether transportation is provided by the facility or contracted.

10. There shall be information in each vehicle identifying the name of the administrator and the name, telephone number, and address of the facility for emergency situations.

G. Resident Safety Provisions

1. The driver plus one appropriately trained staff member shall be required at all times in each vehicle when transporting any resident. Staff shall be appropriately trained on the needs of each resident.

2. Each resident shall be safely and properly:

a. assisted into the vehicle;

b. restrained in the vehicle; and

c. assisted out of the vehicle.

3. Every resident shall be restrained in a single safety belt or secured in an American Academy of Pediatrics recommended, age appropriate safety seat.

4. The driver or appropriate staff person shall check the vehicle at the completion of each trip to ensure that no resident is left on the vehicle. Documentation shall include the signature of the person conducting the check and the time the vehicle is checked. Documentation shall be maintained on file at the PRTF whether transportation is provided by the facility or contracted.

5. During field trips, the driver or staff member shall check the vehicle and account for each resident upon arrival at, and departure from, each destination to ensure that no resident is left on the vehicle or at any destination. Documentation shall include the signature of the person conducting the check and the time the vehicle was checked for each loading and unloading of residents during the field trip.

6. Appropriate staff person(s) shall be present when each resident is delivered to the facility.

H. The provider shall have the means of transporting residents in cases of emergency.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-9069

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 38:389 (February 2012).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2009.