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1 New Section; Emergency Transport of Trauma Persons. Amend RSA 153-A by inserting after section 6 the following new section:
153-A:6-a Emergency Transport of Trauma Persons.
I. In a health emergency in which an ambulance or other first responder responds to a 911 call, a spouse, parent, or legal guardian, or a person holding a health care power of attorney or durable power of attorney which includes authority to make decisions regarding medical care may direct the first responder to proceed directly to a trauma hospital specified by such legal representative. If so directed, the first responder shall transport the patient to the trauma hospital specified by the authorized representative. The specified trauma hospital shall be no farther than one hour away from the response address.
II. Before the first responder begins transport of the patient to a trauma hospital requested by the authorized representative specified under paragraph I, when such facility is not the responder's normal protocol, the authorized representative shall sign a release accepting full responsibility for the medical consequences of the decision to proceed to the specified trauma hospital. If the authorized representative does not have immediate access to the applicable power of attorney, the first responder shall comply with the request of the authorized representative.
III. First responders shall maintain a current list of all levels of trauma hospitals within 75 miles of the first responder's base, and a supply of release forms in each ambulance or other emergency medical service vehicle which is used for emergency transport.
IV. Any person falsely claiming to be an authorized representative under this statute shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and shall be civilly liable for any medical and legal costs arising from such falsification.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
1 New Section; Emergency Transport of Trauma Persons. Amend RSA 153-A by inserting after section 6 the following new section:
153-A:6-a Emergency Transport of Trauma Persons.
I. In a health emergency in which an ambulance or other first responder responds to a 911 call, a spouse, parent, or legal guardian, or a person holding a health care power of attorney or durable power of attorney which includes authority to make decisions regarding medical care may direct the first responder to proceed directly to a trauma hospital specified by such legal representative. If so directed, the first responder shall transport the patient to the trauma hospital specified by the authorized representative. The specified trauma hospital shall be no farther than one hour away from the response address.
II. Before the first responder begins transport of the patient to a trauma hospital requested by the authorized representative specified under paragraph I, when such facility is not the responder's normal protocol, the authorized representative shall sign a release accepting full responsibility for the medical consequences of the decision to proceed to the specified trauma hospital. If the authorized representative does not have immediate access to the applicable power of attorney, the first responder shall comply with the request of the authorized representative.
III. First responders shall maintain a current list of all levels of trauma hospitals within 75 miles of the first responder's base, and a supply of release forms in each ambulance or other emergency medical service vehicle which is used for emergency transport.
IV. Any person falsely claiming to be an authorized representative under this statute shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, and shall be civilly liable for any medical and legal costs arising from such falsification.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.