1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to health; modifying transport criteria for ambulance service in the state 
1.3 	trauma system;amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.604.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 144.604, is amended to read:
1.6 	144.604 TRAUMA TRIAGE AND TRANSPORTATION.
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Transport requirement. Unless the Emergency Medical Services 
1.8 	Regulatory Board or the ambulance service medical director under section 144E.265 has 
1.9 	approved a licensed ambulance service's deviation from the guidelines under section 
1.10 	144E.101, subdivision 14, the ambulance service must transport major trauma patients 
1.11 	from the scene to the highest state-designated trauma hospital within 30 minutes' transport 
1.12 	time.
1.13 		Subd. 2.Ground ambulance exceptions. Notwithstanding subdivision 1, ground 
1.14 	ambulances must comply with the following:
1.15 	(1) patients with compromised airways must be transported immediately to the 
1.16 	nearest designated trauma hospital; and
1.17 	(2) level II trauma hospitals capable of providing definitive trauma care must not 
1.18 	be bypassed to reach a level I trauma hospital, unless outlined in the licensed ambulance 
1.19 	service's standing orders under section 144E.001, subdivision 13, and approved by the 
1.20 	ambulance service's medical director.
1.21 		Subd. 3.Undesignated hospitals. No major trauma patient shall be transported to 
1.22 	a hospital not participating in the statewide trauma system unless no designated trauma 
1.23 	hospital is available within 30 minutes' transport time.