Virginia Administrative Code › Title 12 - HEALTH › Agency 5 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH › Chapter 31 - VIRGINIA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES REGULATIONS › Part IV - EMS Physician Regulations › Section 12VAC5-31-1890 - Responsibilities of operational medical directors

Current through Register Vol. 40, No. 24, July 15, 2024
A. Responsibilities of the operational
				  medical director regarding medical control functions include but are not
				  limited to medical directions provided directly to prehospital providers by the
				  OMD or a designee either on-scene or through direct voice
				  communications.
B. Responsibilities
				  of the operational medical director regarding medical direction functions
				  include but are not limited to:
1. Using
				  protocols, operational policies and procedures, medical audits, reviews of care
				  and determination of outcomes for the purpose of establishing direction of
				  education and limitation of provider patient care functions.
2. Verifying that qualifications and
				  credentials for the agency's patient care or emergency medical dispatch
				  personnel are maintained on an ongoing basis through training, testing and
				  certification that, at a minimum, meet the requirements of these regulations,
				  other applicable state regulations and including, but not limited to, §
				  32.1-111.5 of the Code of Virginia.
3. Functioning as a resource to the agency in
				  planning and scheduling the delivery of training and continuing education
				  programs for agency personnel.
4.
				  Taking or recommending appropriate remedial or corrective measures for EMS
				  personnel, consistent with state, regional and local EMS policies that may
				  include but are not limited to counseling, retraining, testing, probation, and
				  in-hospital or field internships.
5. Suspending certified EMS personnel from
				  medical care duties pending review and evaluation. Following final review, the
				  OMD shall notify the provider, the EMS agency and the Office of EMS in writing
				  of the nature and length of any suspension of practice privileges that are the
				  result of disciplinary action.
6.
				  Reviewing and auditing agency activities to ensure an effective quality
				  management program for continuous system and patient care improvement, and
				  functioning as a resource in the development and implementation of a
				  comprehensive mechanism for the management of records of agency activities
				  including prehospital patient care and dispatch reports, patient complaints,
				  allegations of substandard care and deviations from patient care protocols or
				  other established standards.
7.
				  Interacting with state, regional and local EMS authorities to develop,
				  implement, and revise medical and operational protocols consistent with the
				  Code of Virginia and dispatch protocols, policies, and procedures designed to
				  deliver quality patient care. This function includes the selection and use of
				  appropriate medications, supplies, and equipment.
8. Maintaining appropriate professional
				  relationships with the local community including but not limited to medical
				  care facilities, emergency departments, emergency physicians, allied health
				  personnel, law enforcement, fire protection and dispatch agencies.
9. Establishing any other agency rules or
				  regulations pertaining to proper delivery of patient care by the
				  agency.
10. Providing for the
				  maintenance of written records of actions taken by the OMD to fulfill the
				  requirements of this section.