Texas Administrative Code › Title 25 - HEALTH SERVICES › Part 1 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES › Chapter 157 - EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE › Subchapter B - EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER LICENSES › Section 157.13 - Fixed-Wing Air Ambulance Operations

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a)
				  Fixed wing aircraft operated by a licensed EMS provider shall be at the mobile
				  intensive care level. Persons or entities operating fixed wing air ambulances
				  must direct and control the integrated activities of both the medical and
				  aviation components. Although the aircraft operator is directly responsible to
				  the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the operation of the aircraft,
				  one organization, typically the one in charge of the medical functions, directs
				  the combined efforts of the aviation and medical components during patient
				  transport operations. Licensed fixed wing aircraft must also meet the
				  requirements of §
										157.11
				  of this title (relating to Requirements for an EMS Provider License), as long
				  as the rule does not violate the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, 49 U.S.C.
				  §§ et seq. and Airline Deregulation Act of 1978,
				  49 U.S.C.
				  §
											41713(b)(1).
(b) When being used as an ambulance, a fixed
				  wing aircraft shall:
(1) be multi-engine or
				  be a single, turbo-prop engine capable of maintaining cabin
				  pressurization;
(2) maintain a
				  cabin altitude consistent with patient diagnosis, condition, and
				  destination;
(3) be equipped and
				  kept current for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight;
(4) have a door large enough to allow a
				  patient on a stretcher with the manufacturer's recommended or FAA approved
				  stretcher restraint system in place to be enplaned without excessive
				  maneuvering or tipping of the patient which compromises the function of
				  monitoring devices, intravenous (IV) lines or ventilation equipment;
(5) be designed or modified to accommodate at
				  least one stretcher patient with the manufacturer's recommended or FAA approved
				  stretcher restraint system in place;
(6) have a lighting system which can provide
				  adequate intensity to illuminate the patient care area and an adequate method
				  (curtain, distance) to limit the cabin light from entering the cockpit and
				  impeding cockpit crew vision during night operations;
(7) have permanently installed climate
				  control equipment to provide an environment appropriate for the medical needs
				  of the patient(s);
(8) have an
				  interior cabin configuration large enough to accommodate the number of air
				  medical personnel needed to provide care to the patient, as well as an adult
				  stretcher in the cabin area with access to the patient. The configuration shall
				  not impede the normal or emergency evacuation routes;
(9) have an electrical system capable of
				  servicing the power needs of electrically powered on-board patient care
				  equipment;
(10) have all installed
				  and carry-on equipment secured using FAA-approved devices and
				  methods;
(11) shall assure that all
				  specialized medical equipment is secured throughout transport with adequately
				  engineered designated mounts as approved by FAA.
(12) have sufficient space in the cabin area
				  where the patient stretcher is installed so that equipment can be stored and
				  secured with FAA approved devices in such a manner that it is accessible to the
				  air medical personnel; and
(13)
				  have two FAA approved fire extinguishers approved for aircraft use. Each shall
				  be fully charged with valid inspection certification and capable of
				  extinguishing type A, B, or C fires. One extinguisher shall be accessible to
				  the cockpit crew and one shall be in the cabin area accessible to the medical
				  crew member.