SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   ESB 6033

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 11, 1992

Brief Description:  Modifying certification provisions for emergency medical services personnel.

SPONSORS:Senators West and Johnson

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, M. Kreidler, Niemi, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates:January 16, 1992; January 22, 1992

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

BACKGROUND:

Under current law some emergency medical service (EMS) personnel receive initial certification and recertification for periods of two years.  The two-year period applies to physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics.  Other EMS personnel are certified or recertified for three years.  EMS personnel have busy schedules that involve constant hands-on training.  The certification procedures do not change much from year to year, but the recertification process does consume time and money.  It is felt that the resources now spent on biennial recertifications could be safely reduced by making the initial certification and subsequent recertifications valid for three years.

Ambulance operators are currently licensed for three years, while ambulances are licensed for one year.

Ambulance operators are required to have at least a certificate of advanced first aid qualification. 

SUMMARY:

Certifications and recertifications of physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics are valid for three years.

Licenses issued to both ambulance drivers and ambulances are valid for two years each.

Ambulance operators must have at least a certificate of advance first aid qualification recognized by the secretary unless there are at least two certified emergency medical technicians in attendance of the patient, in which case, a noncertified individual may drive the ambulance.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Pressure from constant recertification tests has driven out good EMS personnel.  EMS personnel have ample opportunity to keep their skills up to date in the field.  Emergency medical technicians have three-year recertifications and the same rule should apply to those EMS personnel covered by this bill.  Ambulances and ambulance drivers should be renewed on same cycle because it is safe and more convenient. 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Ted Rail, Washington State Council of Firefighters; Howard Vietzke, Washington State Council of Firefighters; Chris Rose, Dept. of Health; Byron Byrne, Seattle/King County Dept. of Health; Stephen S. Vogel, Clallam County Emergency Medical Council; Jack Cvitanovic, Dept. of Health

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The amended bill eliminates the requirement for ambulance operators to have at least a certificate of advanced first aid qualification recognized by the secretary unless there are at least two certified emergency medical technicians in attendance of the patient, in which case a noncertified individual may drive the ambulance.

The amended bill removes the repealer eliminating the recognition of the certificate of advanced first aid for those who provide proof of advanced Red Cross training or its equivalent.

Emergency medical technicians, life support personnel and others credentialed pursuant to the chapter are included under the Uniform Disciplinary Act consistent with the responsibilities of the medical program directors.  Those professions, as well as physician's trained intravenous therapy technicians, airway management technicians, and mobile intensive care paramedics, are subject to the disciplinary authority of the Secretary of the Department of Health.