R9-25-503. Testing of Medical Treatments, Procedures, Medications, and Techniques that May Be Administered or Performed by an EMCT

A. Under A.R.S. § 36-2205, the Department may authorize the testing and evaluation of a medical treatment, procedure, technique, practice, medication, or piece of equipment for possible use by an EMCT or an emergency medical services provider. B. Before authorizing any test and evaluation according to subsection (A), the Department director shall approve the test and evaluation according to subsections (C), (D), (E). C. The Department director shall consider approval of a test and evaluation conducted according to subsection (A), only if a written request for testing and evaluation: 1. Is submitted to the Department director from: a. The Department, b. A state agency other than the Department, c. A political subdivision of this state, d. An EMCT, e. An emergency medical services provider, f. An ambulance service, or g. A member of the public; and 2. Includes: a. A cover letter, signed and dated by the individual making the request; b. An identification of the person conducting the test and evaluation; c. An identification of the medical treatment, procedure, technique, practice, medication, or piece of equipment to be tested and evaluated; d. An explanation of the reasons for and the benefits of the test and evaluation; (Supp. 24-3). e. The scope of the test and evaluation, including the: i. Projected number of individuals, EMCTs, emergency medical services providers, or ambulance services involved; and ii. Proposed length of time required to complete the test and evaluation; and f. The methodology to be used to evaluate the test’s and evaluation’s findings. D. The Department director shall approve a test and evaluation if: 1. The test and evaluation does not pose a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare; 2. The test is necessary to evaluate the safest and most current advances in medical treatments, procedures, techniques, practices, medications, or equipment; and 3. The medical treatment, procedure, technique, practice, medication, or piece of equipment being tested and evaluated may: a. Reduce or eliminate the use of outdated or obsolete medical treatments, procedures, techniques, practices, medications, or equipment; b. Improve patient care; or c. Benefit the public’s health, safety, or welfare. E. Within 180 days after receiving a written request for testing and evaluation that contains all of the information in subsection (C), the Department director shall send written notification of approval or denial of the test and evaluation to the individual making the request. F. Upon completion of a test and evaluation authorized by the Department director, the person conducting the test and evaluation shall submit a written report to the Department director that includes: 1. An identification of the test and evaluation; 2. A detailed evaluation of the test; and 3. A recommendation regarding future use of the medical treatment, procedure, technique, practice, medication, or piece of equipment tested and evaluated.