Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems
SUBJECT: Public Notification: Inspection will take place June 8th and 9th, 2023.
POLICY: The Commission requires a Program to inform the public of a scheduled Site Survey, other than a Site Survey following a fatal Accident, and invites them to provide the Site Survey team with relevant information. The Program must provide an opportunity for members of the public to participate in a public information interview during a site visit. The public includes but is not limited to: referral and receiving agents; patients and their families; patient advocacy and advocacy groups; and members of the community the program serves.
GUIDELINES:
- The Commission requires that the Program scheduled for a Site Survey post or make announcements of:
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- The Site Survey date;
- The opportunity for a public information interview; and
- How to request an interview
- Postings shall be made in a format consistent with the one provided by the Commission (see example to follow) and should be posted in public areas where the Program is based (reception areas, airport facilities, hospital reception areas, etc.)
- Advance Notice: Postings shall be displayed at least 30 days prior to a Site Survey. Notices must remain posted until the Site Survey is completed. Failure to provide advance notice may result in the cancellation of the Site Survey at the Program’s expense (see Policy 04.05.00).
- Informing the community: Reasonable steps must be taken to inform the community of its opportunity for public information interviews at least 30 days before the site visit. Failure to provide notice to the public may result in the cancellation of the Site Survey at the Program’s expense (see Policy 04.05.00).
Reasonable Steps include, but are not limited to:
- Informing stakeholders that have communicated with the Program in the previous 12 months.
- Reaching out to other members of the community (choose at least two of the following strategies):
- Public service announcements
- Classified advertisements (run 2-3 days, 30 days prior to visit.
- Postings on the Program’s Web site
- Announcements in newsletters.
- Informing individuals who inquire about the Site Survey about the Site Survey date and the public’s opportunity to participate.
- Compliance with the Public Information Interview Policy. The Site Surveyors will review the Program’s compliance with the policy outlined above and indicate whether it believes the Program has complied with the policy during the closing conference. Findings will be included in the Site Surveyor’s report to the Board.
- Conducting the Public Information Interview
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- Handling requests – Individuals requesting a public information interview shall submit their requests and the nature of the information to be provided in writing to the Commission no later than 10 days before a scheduled Site Survey.
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- If the request for a public information interview is made to the Program, the Program will forward this request to the Commission within five (5) days of receipt of the request. Individuals making oral requests should be instructed to make requests
in writing.
- Scheduling Interviews – The Program must provide potential public information interview participants with advance notice of not less than 10 days. Prior to the Site Survey, the Commission is responsible for notifying individuals requesting an interview of the time, date, and place of the interview.
- Interview Eligibility – Individuals whose written requests are untimely will not be interviewed unless time permits. If not interviewed, such individuals may provide a written statement to CAMTS.
- Interview Process – Interviews shall be conducted by the Site Survey team, outside the presence of Program personnel. The Program will provide reasonable accommodations for the interview(s).
- The interview shall not serve as a debate between the Site Survey team and the Interviewee.
Additionally, the Site Surveyors will not convey conclusions to any interviewee.
