CAMTS releases new draft for comments

The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) has announced the release of a new draft of the 13th edition of its Accreditation Standards for medical transport programs. The new draft includes proposed changes resulting from comments and suggestions received during the past year.

Jan Eichel, the new Executive Director of CAMTS, commented: “We don’t consider these as ‘our’ standards, but as standards that are developed by those that do the job every day. We greatly value and appreciate the comments and suggestions that we receive from these dedicated care providers, administrators, and patients.”

Programs providing medical transport from basic life support to critical care can voluntarily apply for accreditation if they believe they are in substantial compliance with the standards. Accreditation is valid for three years.

As an accredited standards-setting organization through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), CAMTS follows the ANSI essential elements for establishing new and expanding standards. This includes solicitation and consideration of comments, as well as suggestions for standards development.

The draft of the 13th edition of the CAMTS medical transport Accreditation Standards is now open for public comments. An online comment/suggestion form allows for new comments and assures all recommendations are logged and addressed. The standards chapters include:

• Management and staffing
• Quality
• Utilization and safety management
• Patient care
• Communication
• Rotor wing
• Fixed wing
• Surface.

Updated drafts of the standards, as well as feedback from comments received, will be posted on the CAMTS website periodically until the final version is approved by the CAMTS Standards Committee and the CAMTS board. The final standards are now expected to be released in autumn of next year and will become effective on 1 January 2027.

CAMTS is also accepting comments and suggestions for its other accreditation standards including Medical Escort, Special Operations and Mobile Integrated Healthcare/Community Paramedics.