AN ACT Relating to emergency medical services; and amending RCW 18.71.010, 18.73.010, and 18.73.030.

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

Sec. 1. Section 2, chapter 60, Laws of 1957 as last amended by section 51, chapter 158, Laws of 1979 and RCW 18.71.010 are each amended to read as follows:

The following terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings set forth in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Board" means the board of medical examiners.

(2) "Director" means the director of licensing.

(3) "Resident physician" means an individual who has graduated from a school of medicine which meets the requirements set forth in RCW 18.71.055 and is serving a period of postgraduate clinical medical training sponsored by a college or university in this state or by a hospital accredited by this state. For purposes of this chapter, the term shall include individuals designated as intern or medical fellow.

(4) "Emergency medical care" or "emergency medical service" has the same meaning as in chapter 18.73 RCW.

Sec. 2. Section 1, chapter 208, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as amended by section 1, chapter 214, Laws of 1987 and RCW 18.73.010 are each amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds that a state-wide program of emergency medical care is necessary to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state. The intent of the legislature is that the secretary of the department of social and health services develop and implement a system to promote immediate ((~~prehospital~~)) treatment for victims of motor vehicle accidents, suspected coronary illnesses, and other acute illness or trauma.

The legislature further recognizes that emergency medical care and transportation methods are constantly changing and conditions in the various regions of the state vary markedly. The legislature, therefore, seeks to establish a flexible method of implementation and regulation to meet those conditions.

Sec. 3. Section 3, chapter 208, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. as last amended by section 2, chapter 214, Laws of 1987 and RCW 18.73.030 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, the following words and phrases as used in this chapter shall have the meanings indicated.

(1) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services.

(2) "Department" means the department of social and health services.

(3) "Committee" means the emergency medical services committee.

(4) "Ambulance" means a ground or air vehicle designed and used to transport the ill and injured and to provide personnel, facilities, and equipment to treat patients before and during transportation.

(5) " Aid vehicle" means a vehicle used to carry aid equipment and individuals trained in first aid or emergency medical procedure.

(6) "Emergency medical technician" means a person who is authorized by the secretary to render emergency medical care pursuant to RCW 18.73.081.

(7) "Ambulance operator" means a person who owns one or more ambulances and operates them as a private business.

(8) "Ambulance director" means a person who is a director of a service which operates one or more ambulances provided by a volunteer organization or governmental agency.

(9) "Aid vehicle operator" means a person who owns one or more aid vehicles and operates them as a private business.

(10) "Aid director" means a person who is a director of a service which operates one or more aid vehicles provided by a volunteer organization or governmental agency.

(11) "Emergency medical care" or "emergency medical service" means such medical treatment and care which may be rendered at the scene of ((a)) any medical emergency ((~~and~~)) or while transporting ((a)) any patient in an ambulance to an appropriate medical facility, including ambulance transportation between medical facilities.

(12) "Communications system" means a radio and landline network which provides rapid public access, coordinated central dispatching of services, and coordination of personnel, equipment, and facilities in an emergency medical services system.

(13) "Emergency medical services region" means a region established by the secretary of the department of social and health services pursuant to RCW 18.73.060, as now or hereafter amended.

(14) "Patient care protocols" means the written procedure adopted by the emergency medical services medical program director which direct the care of the emergency patient. These procedures shall be based upon the assessment of the patient's medical needs and what treatment will be provided for serious conditions.

(15) "Patient care guidelines" means written operating procedures adopted by the local or regional emergency medical services councils and the emergency medical services medical program director and may include which level of medical care personnel will be dispatched to an emergency scene, which hospital will first receive the patient and which hospitals are appropriate for transfer if necessary.

(16) "Emergency medical services medical program director" means a person who is an approved medical program director as defined by RCW 18.71.205(4).

(17) "Council" means the local or regional emergency medical services advisory council.

(18) "Basic life support" means emergency medical ((~~treatment~~)) services.

(19) "Advanced life support" means emergency medical services requiring advanced medical treatment skills as defined by chapter 18.71 RCW.

(20) "System service area" means an emergency medical service area that develops because of trade, patient catchment, market, or other factors and may include county or multicounty boundaries.

(21) "First responder" means a person who is authorized by the secretary to render emergency medical care as defined by RCW 18.73.081.