QuestionsQuestions (DOH ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 2010-0003)
The Order explains that ambulance service is a vital health service for pre- and post-hospital care, including transporting emergency/disaster victims safely to appropriate hospitals for definitive care, and providing emergency medical care and life support in transit. It sets a national policy to govern stakeholders in providing this critical service.
To provide guidance to all concerned agencies on the proper design, equipping, staffing, and utilization of ambulance services to protect and save lives and to enable medical care providers to perform their duties properly.
All hospitals, health facilities, and all other agencies—whether government or private—providing ambulance services.
A vehicle designed and equipped for transporting sick or injured patients to, from, and between places of treatment by land, sea or air, providing safety and comfort and avoiding aggravation of illness or injury.
A person with a valid professional driver’s license, who has undergone Basic Life Support (BLS) Training, and who has been issued an appropriate identification card by the DOH.
It is a vital health service for pre- and post-hospital care from the incident site to the emergency room of the appropriate receiving hospital for definitive care, and for transferring the patient to another hospital for further diagnostic and treatment purposes.
Every emergency or disaster victim shall be transported safely to and from the nearest appropriate hospital for definitive care.
No ambulance shall be used for purposes other than those described in the background and policy statements (transporting patients especially critically ill/serious/injured, and also transporting medical care providers, blood and emergency supplies).
No. The ambulance shall not be used to transport cadavers.
The safety and protection of the patient and the medical care providers shall be of primary consideration.
All agencies providing ambulance services must comply with DOH standards and guidelines. Ambulance services must have appropriately trained/competent personnel, appropriately staffed ambulances, properly equipped ambulances according to type/classification/level, regular maintenance, and proper cleaning/sanitization/decontamination before and after each transport.
All hospitals are required to have ambulance services unless allowed by DOH regulations to contract out. Preferably, the ambulance service should be under direct supervision of the Emergency Department with support from the hospital Administrative Department.
The ambulance shall be properly marked and identified.
Only licensed ambulance service providers shall be allowed the sole use of the word “AMBULANCE” to appear on their ambulances.
The license of hospital-based ambulance service shall be part of the hospital license. Other ambulance services require a separate license.
Key DOH units include: National Center for Health Facility Development (plan/policies/standards/CQI); Bureau of Health Devices and Technology (ambulance design standards); Health Emergency Management Service (capability building); Bureau of Health Facilities and Services (licensing standards/regulation); and Centers for Health Development (monitor compliance).
PHIC is to develop a scheme to ensure ambulance service is part of PhilHealth reimbursable packages and to require hospitals to comply with DOH CQI standards.
LTO maintains an ambulance database, develops/implements a fast lane for ambulance registration, and assists in monitoring ambulance use. TRB designates an emergency lane for ambulances free of toll charge. Traffic enforcers are instructed to assist and provide clear roadways for ambulances.
Hospitals must comply with DOH policies/standards/guidelines, develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), ensure continuous training of involved personnel, and ensure regular maintenance of ambulances.
It takes effect immediately. The repealing clause states that provisions from previous issuances and other related orders inconsistent or contrary to the Order are amended or modified accordingly.