Palm Beach County EMS Provider Permitting and Inspections

Certificate holders shall be subject to random and routine inspections of their ALS units, ALS vehicles, BLS transfer units and air ambulances. ALS vehicles, ALS units, BLS transfer units and air ambulances found acceptable by the Administrator shall be issued a permit, in the form of an adhesive decal, which shall be affixed to the ALS vehicles, ALS untis, BLS transfer units and air ambulances. Permits shall be valid for one (1) year of issue.

A fee, as established by resolution of the Board of County Commissionedrs, shall be required for each permit issued.

If, during an inspection, the Administrator ascertains that an ALS vehicle, ALS unit, BLS transfer unit or air ambulance, or its equipment does not comply with the standards set forth in Florida Statutes, ch. 401, or this Ordinance, the Administrator may suspend or revoke its respective permit until the certificate holder can establish that the ALS vehicle, ALS unit, BLS transfer unit or air ambulance is once again in compliance. The Administrator shall allow the certificate holder a maximum of thirty (30) days to comply and shall report all permit suspensions or revocations and pertinent information to the Emergency Medical Services Council.

Florida State EMS Inspection Information

(Excerpt from 64J-1.018)

(1) Inspections of Emergency Services Providers shall be documented by the department. Neonatal vehicle inspections shall be documented on Neonatal Interfacility Vehicle Inspection Form; DH Form 1267, December 2008. This form is incorporated by reference and available from the department.

(2) Violation categories – All equipment, medical supplies, records and procedures required by Florida Statutes and rules are placed in one of three violation categories:
Category 1 – life-saving equipment, medical supplies, drugs, records, or procedures;
Category 2 – intermediate support equipment, medical supplies, drugs, records or procedures;
Category 3 – minimal support equipment, medical supplies records or procedures.

These categories shall be used to determine corrective action time frames for deficiencies noted during inspections. The violation categories for each required item are noted on the inspection documentation.

(3) Corrective Action:

(a) Corrective Action Time Frames – Based on the violation category definitions listed above, the following corrective action time frames and administrative action guidelines shall apply:
Category 1 – any item in this category found deficient shall require action by the service provider within 24 hours of the inspection to replace or correct the deficiency noted to avoid administrative action by the department;
Category 2 – any item in this category found deficient shall require action by the service provider within 5 working days (Monday – Friday) of the inspection to replace or correct the deficiency noted to avoid administrative action by the department;
Category 3 – any item in this category found deficient shall require action by the service provider within 10 working days (Monday – Friday) of the inspection to avoid administrative action by the department.

(b) Inspection Corrective Action statement – Upon completion of an inspection in which deficiencies were noted, the EMS provider shall be given DH Form 1831, December 2008 Inspection Corrective Action Statement, which is incorporated by reference and available from the department. This form documents the corrective action that must be taken by the EMS provider to correct the inspection deficiencies and the time frames within which the corrective action must be taken. The completed DH form 1831, December 2008, and documentation of the corrective action taken, must be received by the department within 14 working days of the inspection. Failure of the EMS provider to submit the corrective action statement or correct identified deficiencies within the required time frames is grounds for disciplinary action under Chapter 401, F.S.

(4) A copy of the Inspection Corrective Action Statement shall be maintained by the provider for a period of 3 years.