26:2K-35 Definitions.

1. As used in this act:

a. "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Health.

b. "Dispatch" means the coordinated request for and dispatch of the emergency medical service helicopter response unit by a central communications center located in the service area, following protocols developed by the mobile intensive care hospital, the regional trauma or critical care center, the commissioner, and the superintendent.

c. "Emergency medical service helicopter response unit" means a specially equipped hospital-based emergency medical service helicopter staffed by advanced life support personnel and operated for the provision of advanced life support services under the medical direction of a mobile intensive care program and the regional trauma or critical care center authorized by the commissioner.

d. "Emergency medical transportation" means the prehospital or interhospital transportation of an acutely ill or injured patient by a dedicated emergency medical service helicopter response unit operated, maintained and piloted by the Division of State Police of the Department of Law and Public Safety, pursuant to regulations adopted by the commissioner under chapter 40 of Title 8 of the New Jersey Administrative Code.

e. "Medical direction" means the medical control and medical orders transmitted from the physician of the mobile intensive care hospital or from the physician at the regional trauma or critical care center to the staff of the helicopter. The mobile intensive care unit coordinating center and regional trauma or critical care center shall have the ability to cross patch and consult with each other as approved by the commissioner.

f. "Mobile intensive care hospital" means a hospital authorized by the commissioner to develop and maintain a mobile intensive care unit to provide advanced life support services in accordance with P.L.1984, c.146 (C.26:2K-7 et al.).

g. "Regional trauma center" means a State designated level one hospital-based trauma center equipped and staffed to provide emergency medical services to an accident or trauma victim, including, but not limited to, the level one trauma centers at University Hospital in Newark, known as the "Eric Munoz Trauma Center," and at the Cooper Hospital/University Medical Center in Camden.

h. "Critical care center" means a hospital authorized by the commissioner to provide regional critical care services, such as trauma, burn, spinal cord, cardiac, poison, or neonatal care.

i. "Superintendent" means the Superintendent of the Division of State Police of the Department of Law and Public Safety.

L.1986, c.106, s.1; amended 2010, c.80, s.1; 2012, c.17, s.278; 2012, c.45, s.113.