§ 22-79. Revocation and suspension procedures.

(a)

Procedures. Upon a determination by the board that any person or licensed ambulance service has violated or failed to comply with any provisions of these rules and regulations, the board may temporarily suspend for a period not to exceed 30 days any license or permit issued pursuant to these rules and regulations. The licensee or permit holder shall receive written notice of such temporary suspension stating the nature of the alleged violation and setting a formal.

A hearing shall be held by the board no later than ten days after such temporary suspension. The licensee or permit holder may be represented by an attorney at any hearing conducted under the provisions of this section and may call witnesses and/or present evidence before the board. After such hearing, the Board may reinstate the suspended license or permit, continue the suspension of the license or permit for any specified period, or revoke the license or permit. At the end of a suspension period the person whose license or permit was suspended may apply for a new license or permit as in the case of an original application. Suspension or revocation may result from violation of:

(1)

Any provision of these rules and regulations, or

(2)

Any law of the State of Colorado, or ordinance or regulation of any municipality in the County of Larimer. Evidence of any such violation may be considered by the board regardless of any conviction thereof.

(b)

Notice of suspension of revocation. Notice of suspension or revocation shall be given by mailing the same in writing to the licensee or permit holder at the address contained in such license.

(c)

Summary suspension of emergency medical technician or emergency vehicle operator. Upon a finding by that an emergency medical technician has performed any act that could be prejudicial to good patient care or has in any other manner acted in violation of these rules and regulations the department may summarily suspend from duty said technician. Upon receipt of such notification, the board of county commissioners shall cause a complete investigation to be made and shall schedule a hearing under the provisions of this section if requested by the ambulance service, or the emergency medical technician or emergency vehicle operator.

(d)

Suspension of ambulance permit. Suspension of a permit for the operation of any individual ambulance may be made for cause at any time by the department. The ambulance service affected may petition the board for a hearing on the suspension of such permit and such hearing shall be conducted within ten days of the receipt of such request. The reinstatement of such ambulance permit may be made by the department prior to such hearing upon a finding by the department that the situation causing the suspension has been corrected.

(e)

New applications. If a license is revoked, the department shall not accept a new application from the licensee or permit holder for a period of three years from the date of revocation.

(f)

Grounds for suspension or revocation. The following practices shall be unlawful and may be grounds for a suspension or revocation of a license or permit:

(1)

Willful and deliberate failure to respond to any emergency call within the service area.

(2)

Willful and deliberate failure to transport an emergency patient when required.

(3)

Administering unnecessary treatment or supplies to a patient for the purpose of increasing the patient's bill.

(4)

Performing any treatment or administering any medication or intravenous fluid except as permitted by law or regulations enacted thereunder.

(5)

Charging for treatment or supplies not actually provided to a patient.

(6)

Requiring any employee of an ambulance service to be on duty for anyone period in excess of 48 hours.

(7)

Violation of any significant moving traffic statute or ordinance while operating an ambulance.

(8)

Non-compliance with any rule or regulation promulgated by the Board of Medical Examiners for the duties and responsibilities of emergency medical technicians.

(9)

Non-compliance with any rule or regulation promulgated by the Colorado Board of Health concerning emergency medical services.

(10)

Failure to refer emergency calls received on regular seven-digit telephone lines or other private access lines to the appropriate PSAP for proper priority dispatching in accordance with established protocols.

(11)

Failure to refer emergency calls received when providing standby services at special events to the appropriate PSAP for priority dispatching of the exclusive area contractor in accordance with established protocols.

(12)

Failure to keep records of emergency medical services activities at special events, maintain the records or permit the County, or their assigns, to audit, review or otherwise investigate the emergency medical services activities provided at an event to ensure that emergency calls are properly referred to the appropriate PSAP for priority dispatching of the exclusive area contractor in accordance with established protocols.

(13)

Unlawful use, possessing, dispensing, administering or distributing controlled substances.

(14)

Operating an emergency vehicle in a reckless manner, or while under the influence of alcohol or other performance-altering drugs.

(15)

Failure to notify the Department upon conviction, or a plea of no contest, to a felony or misdemeanor, or the suspension or revocation of driving privileges.

(16)

Responding to calls or providing patient care while under the influence of alcohol or other performance-altering drugs.

(17)

Demonstrating a pattern of alcohol or other substance abuse.

(18)

Obtaining a permit or renewal by fraud, misrepresentation, deception or subterfuge.

(19)

Materially altering a license or permit or using and/or possessing any such altered license or permit.

(20)

Failure to report the revocation, suspension or other sanction against an emergency medical services permit, certificate or license issued by another jurisdiction.

(21)

Unlawfully discriminating in the provisions of service based upon national origin, race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, physical or mental disability, sexual preference, infectious disease, or economic status.

(22)

Representing qualifications at any level other than the person's current level of certification or licensure.

(23)

Failure to follow accepted standards of care in the management of a patient, or in the emergency response.

(24)

Failure to administer medications or treatments in a responsible manner in accordance with the physician advisor's orders or protocols.

(25)

Failure to maintain confidentiality of patient information.

(26)

Failure to provide the department with changes in personnel name, address or ambulance employer.

(27)

Providing medical care without medical direction or supervision of a physician who is licensed in Colorado.

(28)

Performing medical acts not authorized by the board of medical examiners.

(29)

Failure to provide care or discontinuing care, when a duty to provide care has been established.

(30)

Appropriating or possessing, without authorization, medications, supplies, equipment or personal items of a patient or employer.

(31)

Falsifying entries or failing to make essential entries in a patient care report or medical record.

(32)

Violating any local, state or federal rule or regulation that would jeopardize the health and safety of a patient or the public.

(33)

Unprofessional conduct at the scene or an emergency that hinders, delays, eliminates, or deters the provision of medical care to patients or endangers the safety of the public.

(34)

Call jumping, which is defined as a response to a call for ambulance service by one ambulance service company with the knowledge that another ambulance service company has either been notified to respond to the call or is actually responding to the call, unless the call is of a life-critical nature and the closest ambulance is responding as provided for in subsection 22-78(i)(4).

(Res. No. 07052006R001, § V, 7-5-2006)