Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1. ask the requesting party whether the patient is currently in a stay which is covered by Medicare Part A; and if <br /> so <br /> 2. obtain sufficient information about the reason for the transport to make a preliminary determination whether <br /> the transport is the financial responsibility of the facility. This information should be included in the Zoll <br /> Dispatch notes. <br /> III. GENERAL DUTIES FOR DISPATCH PERSONNEL <br /> A. Dispatch Personnel interact with Medical Transport Personnel to ensure that the appropriate level of service <br /> is sent to transport the patient from the point of origin to the point of destination. To that end, Dispatch <br /> Personnel have the primary responsibility for assuring that the appropriate level of service for transporting the <br /> patient is being dispatched at the appropriate time, and that this level of service is documented accurately. <br /> B. Dispatch Personnel must be able to convey, accurately, orders for transports and alert Medical Transport <br /> Personnel to any changes in the type of transport vehicle used. Dispatching the appropriate level of service is <br /> necessary in order to insure that the appropriate level of care is available to the patient and for NSMT to receive <br /> the proper level of reimbursement. For example, it is necessary to document the details when a patient requires <br /> a wheelchair level of service but is transported in an ambulance based on extenuating circumstances) <br /> C. Dispatch Personnel must document, accurately, information provided to the crew with respect to the patient <br /> condition, changes in call information and other pertinent information regarding the patient and/or the transport. <br /> D. For non-emergency transports, Dispatch Personnel are responsible for: <br /> 1. notifying Field Providers when an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage is required; <br /> 2. receiving requests for specific levels of service (types of transports) from Intake Personnel; <br /> 3. dispatching Medical Transport Personnel, and a vehicle to transport the patient with the appropriate level of <br /> service (includes 911 transports); <br /> 4. notifying the Medical Transport Personnel of the level of service downgrade to ensure appropriate <br /> documentation on the Patient Care Report for billing purposes in cases where a higher level of service than that <br /> required had to be dispatched due to a shortage of vehicles and/or personnel (e.g. ALS ambulance dispatched <br /> due to system overload with no BLS Ambulances or wheelchair units available); <br /> 5. providing information to Medical Transport Personnel regarding the need to obtain a PCS, when appropriate. <br /> IV. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT <br /> A. NSMT will be responsible to develop, implement, and maintain ongoing quality improvement procedures to <br /> monitor call intake procedures. <br /> V. CORRECTIVE ACTION <br /> A. This Policy for Dispatch Personnel establishes the general policies and procedures which all Personnel must <br /> comply as a condition of employment with NSMT, This Policy is designed to ensure that each employee's <br /> performance conforms to the highest ethical standards and is in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and <br /> regulations. Any doubts or questions whatsoever as to the propriety of a particular situation, whether or not the <br /> situation is described within this Policy, should be referred either to your immediate supervisor or the <br /> Compliance Officer. <br /> 39 <br />