Section 515.470  Participation by Veterans Health Administration Facilities

a)         Subject to patient preference, Illinois EMS vehicle service providers may transport patients to Veterans Health Administration facilities that voluntarily participate in an EMS System. (Section 3.20(c)(11) of the Act)

b)         Any Veterans Health Administration facility seeking limited participation in an EMS System shall agree to comply with the emergency department requirements set forth in the Hospital Licensing Requirements and with the requirements of this Section.  (Section 3.20(c)(11) of the Act)

c)         The types of Veterans Health Administration facilities that may participate in an EMS System (Section 3.20(c)(11) of the Act):  A Veterans Health Administration (VA) facility that meets the minimum standards for a basic or comprehensive emergency department as established by the Hospital Licensing Requirements (77 Ill. Adm. Code 250) that has the ability to promptly evaluate, treat, stabilize, admit or transfer patients to an appropriate hospital capable of providing the appropriate level of care based upon individual patient needs.

d)         A VA facility seeking to participate in an EMS System shall apply in writing to the EMS MD of the System for approval.  The facility shall indicate the level at which it seeks to participate (i.e., participating, associate or resource hospital), in accordance with Section 515.320 and, in the case of a resource hospital, Section 515.300. Approval shall be based on the facility's demonstration that it can provide care at the level of participation being sought, in accordance with the requirements of the Act and this Part.

e)         The EMS MD shall notify the facility and the Department of the approval and the type of patients for which care is approved.  If the EMS MD denies the approval, the denial shall be issued in writing and shall include the reasons for denial. 

f)         The EMS System shall submit a revised System Program Plan to the Department providing for participation of the facility at the level approved by the EMS MD.

g)         Participating facilities shall agree to comply with the requirements of the EMS System Plan as set forth in Section 515.330 of this Part, System protocols established by the System, and any other applicable requirements of this Part, unless waived by the Department in accordance with Section 3.185 of the Act and Section 515.150 of this Part.

h)         VA facilities participating in an EMS System shall maintain operational two-way radio communication equipment pursuant to Section 515.400 (General Communications) and any additional communications equipment required by the EMS System in which they participate.

i)          VA facilities participating in an EMS System shall accept all patients within the facility's capability in a disaster, overload or bypass situation.

j)          If at any time the Director or his or her designee has determined that an immediate and serious danger to the public health, safety and welfare exists, the Department will issue an emergency order in accordance with Section 3.85(b)(7) of the Act to prevent licensed vehicle providers from transporting patients to the facility's emergency department.  (Section 3.85(b)(7) of the Act)

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 7128, effective May 13, 2013)