2006 Utah Code - 26-8a-102 — Definitions.

     26-8a-102.   Definitions.
     As used in this chapter:
     (1) "Ambulance" means a ground, air, or water vehicle that:
     (a) transports patients and is used to provide emergency medical services; and
     (b) is required to obtain a permit under Section 26-8a-304 to operate in the state.
     (2) "Ambulance provider" means an emergency medical service provider that:
     (a) transports and provides emergency medical care to patients; and
     (b) is required to obtain a license under Part 4, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.
     (3) "Committee" means the State Emergency Medical Services Committee created by Section 26-1-7.
     (4) "Direct medical observation" means in-person observation of a patient by a physician, registered nurse, physician's assistant, or individual certified under Section 26-8a-302.
     (5) "Emergency medical condition" means:
     (a) a medical condition that manifests itself by symptoms of sufficient severity, including severe pain, that a prudent layperson, who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine, could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in:
     (i) placing the individual's health in serious jeopardy;
     (ii) serious impairment to bodily functions; or
     (iii) serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part; or
     (b) a medical condition that in the opinion of a physician or his designee requires direct medical observation during transport or may require the intervention of an individual certified under Section 26-8a-302 during transport.
     (6) "Emergency medical service personnel":
     (a) means an individual who provides emergency medical services to a patient and is required to be certified under Section 26-8a-302; and
     (b) includes a paramedic, medical director of a licensed emergency medical service provider, emergency medical service instructor, and other categories established by the committee.
     (7) "Emergency medical service providers" means:
     (a) licensed ambulance providers and paramedic providers;
     (b) a facility or provider that is required to be designated under Section 26-8a-303; and
     (c) emergency medical service personnel.
     (8) "Emergency medical services" means medical services, transportation services, or both rendered to a patient.
     (9) "Emergency medical service vehicle" means a land, air, or water vehicle that is:
     (a) maintained and used for the transportation of emergency medical personnel, equipment, and supplies to the scene of a medical emergency; and
     (b) required to be permitted under Section 26-8a-304.
     (10) "Interested party" means:
     (a) a licensed or designated emergency medical services provider that provides emergency medical services within or in an area that abuts an exclusive geographic service area that is the subject of an application submitted pursuant to Part 4, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers;
     (b) any municipality, county, or fire district that lies within or abuts a geographic service area that is the subject of an application submitted pursuant to Part 4, Ambulance and Paramedic

Providers; or
     (c) the department when acting in the interest of the public.
     (11) "Medical control" means a person who provides medical supervision to an emergency medical service provider.
     (12) "Paramedic provider" means an entity that:
     (a) employs emergency medical service personnel; and
     (b) is required to obtain a license under Part 4, Ambulance and Paramedic Providers.
     (13) "Patient" means an individual who, as the result of illness or injury, meets any of the criteria in Section 26-8a-305.
     (14) "Trauma" means an injury requiring immediate medical or surgical intervention.
     (15) "Trauma system" means a single, statewide system that:
     (a) organizes and coordinates the delivery of trauma care within defined geographic areas from the time of injury through transport and rehabilitative care; and
     (b) is inclusive of all prehospital providers, hospitals, and rehabilitative facilities in delivering care for trauma patients, regardless of severity.
     (16) "Triage" means the sorting of patients in terms of disposition, destination, or priority. For prehospital trauma victims, triage requires a determination of injury severity to assess the appropriate level of care according to established patient care protocols.
     (17) "Triage, treatment, transportation, and transfer guidelines" means written procedures that:
     (a) direct the care of patients; and
     (b) are adopted by the medical staff of an emergency patient receiving facility, trauma center, or an emergency medical service provider.

Amended by Chapter 305, 2000 General Session