04/30/1994 02:30 PM Senate HES

 CHAIRMAN RIEGER brought  CSHB 478(HES) am  (AUTHORITY TO PRONOUNCE            
 DEATH) before the committee.                                                  
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE GENE THERRIAULT, prime sponsor of HB 478, said the             
 legislation was introduced to allow mobile intensive care                     
 paramedics, physician assistants, and emergency medical technicians           
 to determine and pronounce death under certain circumstances.  It             
 provides that they may make a determination and pronouncement of              
 death upon determining that a person has suffered irreversible                
 cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions while a                    
 physician is not immediately available for consultation by radio or           
 telephone.  This will help emergency response teams to better                 
 attend to the emergency medical needs of Alaska.                              
                                                                               
 Number 557                                                                    
                                                                               
 MARK JOHNSON, Chief, Emergency Medical Services Section, Department           
 of Health and Social Services, stated the department's support for            
 HB 478.  He said the bill very clearly defines under what                     
 circumstances CPR can be stopped.                                             
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN RIEGER noted Craig Lewis of the Alaska EMS Association               
 was present to respond to questions.  There being none, he asked              
 for the pleasure of the committee.                                            
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER moved that CSHB 478(HES) am be passed out of                   
 committee with individual recommendations.  Hearing no objection,             
 it was so ordered.