Section 325.131. Triage and transport.

(1) The department, with the advice and recommendations of the state trauma advisory subcommittee and emergency medical services coordinating committee, shall develop recommendations, based on  standards that  are  incorporated by reference  in   these  rules,  pursuant   to   R 325.129(2)(l), R 325.136, R 325.137, and R 325.138 for protocols which are established and adopted by local medical control, for the triage, transport, and inter-facility transfer  of  adult  and  pediatric   trauma  patients to appropriate trauma care facilities.

(2)  The standards that are incorporated by reference in these rules, pursuant to R 325.129(2)(l), R 325.136, R 325.137, and R 325.138 for the triage, transport, and the inter-facility transfer of trauma patients provide recommended minimum standards of care for protocols which are established and adopted by local medical control that must be utilized in the transfer of care for trauma patients.  On an annual basis, or as needed, the   department shall review and update these recommended minimum standards with

the    advice  and  recommendations   of  the  state   trauma  advisory   subcommittee    and emergency

medical services coordinating committee.

(3)     The department, with the advice and recommendations of the state trauma advisory subcommittee and emergency medical services coordinating committee, shall create regional trauma networks that shall have the responsibility for developing triage and transport procedures   within that geographical area.Both of the following apply:

(a)    Each regional trauma network shall be created within the emergency preparedness region currently established within the state.

(b)     Each trauma region may create its own triage and transport criteria and protocols, destination criteria and protocols, and inter-facility transfer criteria and protocols, which are established and adopted by local medical control, so long as they meet or exceed the standards that are incorporated by reference in these rules, pursuant to R 325.129(2)(l), R 325.136, R 325.137, and R 325.138, and that they are reviewed by the quality assurance task force and approved by the department.   This may include coordination of triage and transport criteria and protocols, which are established and adopted by local medical control, across geographic regions if in the best interest of providing optimal trauma care to patients.

History: 2007 AACS.