Chapter 4765-3 | Regional Physician Advisory Boards

Rule 4765-3-01 | Prehospital emergency medical services regions.

• Effective: April 1, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) In accordance with section 4765.05 of the Revised Code, the board shall divide the state geographically into prehospital emergency medical services regions for purposes of overseeing the delivery of adult and pediatric prehospital emergency medical services.

(B) Beginning July 1, 2015, the state shall be divided into eight geographical regions as follows:

(1) Region 1 shall include Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties;

(2) Region 2 shall include Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties;

(3) Region 3 shall include Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties;

(4) Region 4 shall include Crawford, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Morrow, Pickaway, Union, and Wyandot counties;

(5) Region 5 shall include Ashland, Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties;

(6) Region 6 shall include Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, Highland and Warren counties;

(7) Region 7 shall include Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties;

(8) Region 8 shall include Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble and Washington counties.

(C) As used in this chapter, "prehospital emergency medical services" means an emergency medical services system that provides medical services to patients who require immediate assistance, because of illness or injury, prior to their arrival at an emergency medical facility.

(D) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to direct or limit the transport of patients to emergency medical facilities within a prehospital emergency medical services region.

Last updated September 12, 2023 at 11:52 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4765.11
Amplifies: 4765.05
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 7/31/2014

Rule 4765-3-02 | Regional directors and regional physician advisory boards.

• Effective: August 1, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

[Comment: For dates and availability of material incorporated by reference in this rule see rule 4765-1-03 of the Administrative Code.]

(A) In accordance with section 4765.05 of the Revised Code, the board may appoint a regional physician advisory board (RPAB), or a regional director, to oversee the delivery of prehospital emergency medical services in that region.

(B) Each RPAB shall be composed of no more than twelve physicians, unless otherwise approved by the board, who meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Possess knowledge and experience in or related to emergency medical services;

(2) Work or reside in the region to be served by the RPAB;

(3) Board certified through a medical specialty board supported by the American board of medical specialties or the American osteopathic association or board eligible by completion of a residency program recognized by the American board of medical specialties or the American osteopathic association.

(C) A physician seeking appointment as a regional director or a member of an RPAB shall submit a "Regional Physician Advisory Board Membership Application" to the board including a curriculum vitae verifying that the physician meets the qualifications established by this chapter.

(D) Each term of appointment as a regional director or a member of an RPAB shall be for a period not to exceed three years and shall commence on the date of appointment by the board and shall end on December thirty-first of the third year of the term.

(E) The board may take into account the following factors when considering appointments as a regional director or a member of an RPAB:

(1) Whether the physician has experience with emergency medicine in a prehospital setting;

(2) Whether the geographic diversity of a region would be adequately represented;

(3) Whether a physician's medical specialty or area of concentration will broaden the range and scope of knowledge of an RPAB;

(4) Personal references or letters of recommendation.

(F) Upon the recommendation of the state medical director, the board may remove or replace any regional director or member of an RPAB for any of the following reasons:

(1) Failure to maintain the qualifications necessary for appointment as a regional director or a member of an RPAB;

(2) Failure to satisfy responsibilities as a regional director or a member of an RPAB;

(3) Suspension or revocation of a certificate to practice medicine and surgery, or osteopathic medicine and surgery, under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code;

(4) Such other reason that the state medical director determines would preclude a member from serving as an effective regional director or member of the RPAB.

(G) The board may fill any vacancies that occur prior to the expiration of a term in accordance with this chapter. Any individual appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the individual's predecessor was appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(H) Each regional director or RPAB member shall be responsible for notifying the division of the following:

(1) Changes in contact information;

(2) Intent to withdraw membership;

(3) Failure to meet eligibility criteria as set forth in this rule.

Last updated August 1, 2023 at 8:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4765.11
Amplifies: 4765.05
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 4/28/2002, 7/31/2014

Rule 4765-3-03 | Operations of regional directors and regional physician advisory boards.

• Effective: July 31, 2014
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each RPAB shall biennially appoint a chair and, if applicable, a vice chair from among its members. Notice of such appointment shall be provided to the state medical director no later than February fifteenth.

(1) In the event of a vacancy in a chair or vice chair position, the RPAB may appoint a replacement from its other members;

(2) Any member appointed to fill a vacancy in the chair or vice chair position prior to the expiration of the term for which the prior chair or vice chair was appointed shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term;

(3) The chair of each RPAB shall provide contact information to the division that includes mailing address, telephone number and electronic mail address and shall notify the division of any changes in said information.

(B) The regional director or chair of each RPAB shall meet at least four times annually with the state medical director.

(C) Each RPAB shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its duties but at least two times annually.

(1) All meetings shall be open to the public;

(2) Each chair shall notify the state medical director and the division of all scheduled meetings of the RPAB;

(3) Each chair shall submit a meeting agenda to the division a minimum of ten days prior to the meeting date;

(4) Each chair shall submit in writing to the division minutes of all meetings;

(5) Each chair shall notify the division of any canceled meeting no later than twenty-four hours prior to the scheduled date.

Last updated September 12, 2023 at 11:52 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: R.C. 4765.11
Amplifies: R.C. 4765.05
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2028
Prior Effective Dates: 2/22/1999

Rule 4765-3-04 | Responsibilities of regional directors and regional physician advisory boards.

• Effective: April 1, 2019
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Each regional director or RPAB may develop and recommend written medical protocols for EMS providers, organizations and personnel operating in the area served by the regional director or RPAB.

(B) The regional directors or RPAB may provide advice and counsel to the board regarding emergency medical care and emergency medical service system development issues.

(C) In order to assist in developing and maintaining appropriate emergency medical services in its region, each regional director or RPAB may provide the following services:

(1) Assist in developing EMS continuing education programs within its region;

(2) Assist in the organization, evaluation, and procurement of equipment for EMS organizations in its region;

(3) Assist in the maintenance of information regarding all EMS providers and organizations in the region including the name of the medical director or physician advisory board members for each;

(4) Assist in the identification of problems with the provision of emergency medical services in the region and development of strategies to address such problems;

(5) Facilitate agreements for mutual aid and assistance between EMS organizations in the region;

(6) Assist the "Ohio Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians" (Ohio ACEP) in regularly revising its EMS medical directors' course to ensure the course remains accurate.

(D) Each RPAB may assist all EMS organizations in its region in procuring the services of a medical director or physician advisory board as required by section 4765.42 of the Revised Code.

(E) Each regional director or RPAB shall determine whether its region needs regional protocols for the triage of adult, pediatric and geriatric trauma victims. If such protocols already exist, the regional director or RPAB shall review them for potential amendments in accordance with section 4765.40 of the Revised Code. The regional director or RPAB shall notify the division in writing regarding whether or not the region will be amending its protocols. If the regional director or RPAB decides to adopt new protocols or amend current protocols, it shall follow the process for notification and submission of the protocols as set forth in section 4765.40 of the Revised Code.

Last updated September 12, 2023 at 11:52 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4765.11
Amplifies: 4765.05
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2028

Rule 4765-3-05 | Medical director requirements for each emergency medical services organization.

• Effective: August 1, 2023
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) The medical director for each EMS organization shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

(1) Possession of a valid Ohio physician medical license in good standing;

(2) For three of the previous five years, has had active involvement in the provision of emergency care to patients or has provided medical oversight for an EMS agency;

(3) Provide evidence of one of the following:

(a) Completion of an EMS medical director course approved by the board (EMS medical director course provided by the "National Association of EMS Physicians" or the Ohio chapter of the "American College of Emergency Physicians");

(b) Completion of a residency or fellowship program that is recognized by the "American Board of Medical Specialties," the "American Osteopathic Association," or the "Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education" in emergency medicine or a related area;

(c) Subspecialty board certification by the "American Board of Emergency Medicine" in emergency medical services.

(4) Active participation with one or more EMS organizations, including but not limited to:

(a) Conducting performance improvement programs;

(b) Conducting education programs;

(c) Conducting protocol updates.

(5) Evidence of high ethical standards and no conflicts of interest;

(6) Utilizes aggregate data from the division in peer review and quality improvement programs at the local level.

(B) Each medical director is required to participate in trauma-related peer review and quality improvement programs as provided in section 4765.12 of the Revised Code.

Last updated August 1, 2023 at 8:26 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4765.11
Amplifies: 4765.11, 4765.42
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2028