Definitions

Definitions A. Basic life support (BLS) services are defined as non-invasive emergency procedures and services at the level described in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) including, but not limited to: 1. Initiation of basic airway maneuvers and procedures, 2. Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), 3. Automated and semi-automated defibrillation, 4. Hemorrhage control, including direct pressure and tourniquet, 5. Spinal immobilization and extremity stabilization, 6. Assistance with childbirth, and/or 7. Obtaining vital signs, 8. Other techniques as authorized by Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (BEMS). B. Advanced Life Support (ALS) services are defined as a sophisticated level of prehospital and interhospital emergency care including, but not limited to: 1. Cardiac monitoring, 2. Cardiac defibrillation, 3. Telemetered electrocardiography, 4. Administration of antiarrhythmic agents, 5. Intravenous therapy, 6. Administration of specified medications, drugs, and solutions, 7. Use of adjunctive ventilation devices, 8. Trauma care, and/or 9. Other techniques and procedures authorized by BEMS. C. An Appropriate Facility is defined as a facility or institution generally equipped and able to provide the needed treatment for the beneficiary's condition including, but not limited to: 1. Trauma Level I BEMS certified facilities, 2. Trauma Level II BEMS certified facilities, 3. Trauma Level III BEMS certified facilities, 4. Trauma Level IV BEMS certified facilities, and 5. Other facilities as designated by BEMS and/or the Mississippi Statewide Trauma Plan. D. Nearest appropriate facility is defined as one or more facilities closest to the location where the beneficiary is picked up by the ambulance that is generally equipped and able to provide the needed treatment for the beneficiary's condition. E. Beneficiary Loaded Mileage is defined as the number of miles from the site where the beneficiary was loaded into the ambulance to the drop-off destination. F. Medical Necessity for emergency ambulance transportation, is defined as: 1. The severity of the beneficiary’s emergency medical condition is such that the use of any other method of transportation is contraindicated, and 2. The beneficiary's emergency medical condition requires both the emergency ambulance transportation itself and the level of service provided. G. Emergency Medical Condition is defined as a sudden onset of acute symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, such that a prudent layperson with an average knowledge of health and medicine could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in the following: 1. Serious jeopardy to the health of the beneficiary, 2. Serious impairment to bodily functions, or 3. Serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. H. Medical Control is defined as directions and advice provided from a centrally designated medical facility staffed by appropriate personnel, operating under medical supervision, supplying professional support through radio or telephonic communication for on-site and in- transit BLS and ALS services given by field and satellite facility personnel.