I. Authority and Reference

NORTH COAST EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES Policy # 4402

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Subject: Accreditation

Automated External Defibrillation Accreditation Process and Requirements.

I. Authority and Reference (incorporated herein by reference)

A. Division 2.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

B. California Code of Regulations, Title 22.

. C. North Coast Emergency Medical Services Policies and Procedures.

II. Purpose

To establish a regional Automated External Defibrillation (AED) accreditation policy and procedure, including initial, reaccreditation and challenge accreditation within the North Coast EMS region and consistent with California state regulations.

III. Initial AED Accreditation Procedure

A. General eligibility criteria:

1. California licensed paramedics and certified EMT-IIs in good standing are automatically accredited in AED (when working or volunteering with an AED service provider) without further training and/or testing unless required by the AED service provider.

2. Applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of submitting request for AED accreditation.

3. Applicant must document current certification in first aid and CPR for the health care professional within the past two (2) years which, at a minimum, meets the minimum requirements of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 100020, including first responder, EMT-I or EMT-II certfication and/or paramedic licensure.

4. The first aid training requirements may be satisfied by successfully completing any one of the following course options as long as the requirements of Title 22, Section 100020 are and documented by a copy of the course completion record or certification card:

(a) A course in first aid developed and/or authorized by the Fire Service Training Program of the Office of the State Fire Marshal and approved by the EMS Authority.

(b) A course in first aid authorized by the Commission on Peach Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) and approved by the EMS Authority.

(c) A course in first aid developed and authorized by the California Department of Parks and Recreation and approved by the EMS Authority.

(d) A course in first aid developed and authorized by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and approved by the EMS Authority.

(e) A course in first aid developed and authorized by the Department of Highway Patrol and approved by the EMS Authority.

(f) A course in first aid sponsored and/or approved by the American Red Cross

(g) The US Department of Transportation’s first responder course which includes first aid practices and approved by a local EMS agency.

(h) An EMT-I, EMT-II or EMT-P course which has been approved by a local EMS agency.

5. Applicant must document successful completion of a North Coast EMS-approved AED training program within no more than two (2) years prior to applying for AED accreditation.

6. Applicant must document a score of 80% or above on the North Coast EMS AED written and skills accreditation examinations within one (1) year prior to applying for AED accreditation.

7. Applicant, including certified EMT-IIs and licensed paramedics must submit a completed North Coast EMS AED accreditation application, including the signature of a North Coast EMS-approved AED service provider.

8. Applicant must complete a statement that (s)he is not precluded from accreditation for reasons defined in Section 1798.200 of the Health and Safety Code.

9. Applicant must submit detailed documentation of convictions of, any crime other than a minor traffic violation.

10. Applicant must submit payment of the AED accreditation fee, if applicable.

C. AED accreditation shall be for a maximum of two (2) years from the date the individual satisfactorily completes the North Coast EMS AED accreditation examinations. The effective date of accreditation shall be the date the applicant satisfactorily completes all the accreditation requirements and has applied for accreditation. The accreditation expiration date shall be:

1. The final day of the final month of the two year period for first aid and first responder trained individuals; OR

2. The same expiration date as the EMT-Is, EMT-IIs, or EMT-Ps certification/license expiration.

IV. Reaccreditation Procedure

A. General eligibility criteria:

1. Applicant must document current certification in first aid and CPR for health care professional within the last two (2) years. which, at a minimum, meets the requirements of Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 100020 (see section III.A.3 & 4 above).

2. Applicant must document current AED accreditation.

3. Applicant must document a score of 80% or above on the North Coast EMS AED written reaccreditation examination every four (4) years..

4 Applicant must document successful completion of all AED accreditation maintenance requirements. This requirement may be met by attending the entire AED training program again.

5 Applicant must submit a completed North Coast EMS AED accreditation application, including the signature of a North Coast EMS-approved AED service provider.

6. Applicant must complete a statement that (s)he is not precluded from accreditation for reasons defined in Section 1798.200 of the Health and Safety Code.

7. Applicant must submit detailed documentation of previous charges with, or convictions of, any crime other than a minor traffic violation.

8 . Applicant must submit payment of a the AED reaccreditation fee, if applicable.

9. If applicant is required to complete the accreditation examinations, successful testing must acur within one (1) year prior to applying for AED reaccreditation.

B. AED accreditation shall be for a maximum period of two (2) years. If reaccreditation requirements are met within six (6) months prior to the expiration date the effective date of accreditation shall be the expiration date of the current certificate. The accreditation expiration date shall be:

1. The final day of the final month of the two year period for first aid and first responder trained individuals; OR

2. The same expiration date as the EMT-I’s, EMT-II’s, or EMT-P’s certification/license expiration.

VI. Reinstatement Procedure (when AED accreditation expired prior to North Coast EMS’ receipt of application and reaccreditation documentation)

A. General eligibility criteria:

1. Applicant must document current certification in first aid and CPR for health care professionals courses, at a minimum, which meets the requirements of Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 100020 (see section III.A.3 & 4 above).

2. Applicant must document AEDaccreditation which has been expired no more than four (4) years.

3. Applicant must document a score of 80% or above on the North Coast EMS written and skills reaccreditation examinations within one (1) year prior to applying for AED accreditation..

4. Applicant must document successful completion of all AED accreditation maintenance requirements during period previously accredited. This requirement may be met by attending the entire AED training program.

5. Applicant must submit a completed North Coast EMS AED accreditation application, including the signature of a North Coast EMS-approved AED service provider.

6. Applicant must complete a statement that (s)he is not precluded from accreditation for reasons defined in Section 1798.200 of the Health and Safety Code.

7. Applicant must submit detailed documentation of previous convictions of, any crime other than a minor traffic violation.

8. Applicant must submit payment of a the AED reaccreditation fee, if applicable.

B. Accreditation to provide AED shall be for a maximum period of two (2) years from the date that individual satisfactorily completes the North Coast EMS AED accreditation examinations. The effective date of accredittion shall be the date the applicant

satisfactorily completes all the accreditation requirements and has applied for accreditation. The accreditation expiration date shall be:

1. The final day of the final month of the two year period for first aid and first responder trained individuals; OR

2. The same expiration date as the EMT-I’s, EMT-II’s, or EMT-P’s certification/license expiration.

VII.Challenge Procedure

A. Prior to taking the North Coast EMS AED written and skills accreditation examinations, challenge candidates must submit the following to North Coast EMS.

1. Documentation of current certification in first aid and CPR for health care professionals courses, at a minimum, which meets the requirements of Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 100020 (see section III.A.3 & 4. above).

2. Documentation of eligibility to challenge AED accreditation.

3. A completed North Coast EMS AED accreditation application, including the signature by a North Coast EMS-approved AED service provider.

4. A statement that (s)he is not precluded from accreditation for reasons defined in Section 1798.200 of the Health and Safety Code.

5. Detailed documentation of previous convictions of any crime other than a minor traffic violation.

6. Individual must submit payment of a the AED reaccreditation fee, if applicable.

C. North Coast EMS will notify challenge candidates in writing regarding confirmation of eligibility to take the AED accreditation examinations.

D. Challenge candidates may test only one time. If applicant fails to achieve a passing score on the AED written and/or skills accreditation examinations, (s)he shall successfully complete an AED course to receive an AED course completion record.

PLEASE NOTE - AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT ALLOWED TO UTILIZE AN AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR IN THE NORTH COAST EMS REGION UNLESS (S)HE HOLDS A CURRENT AND VALID NORTH COAST EMS AGENCY ISSUED AED ACCREDITATION CARD. AN EXPIRED CERTIFICATE IS NOT CURRENT NOR VALID. FUNCTIONING WITHOUT A CURRENT AND VALID CERTIFICATE IS GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND IS A VIOLATION OF 1797.177 OF THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE.