EMS Special Memo 25-001 Transfer of Care Signatures at Emergency Department Turnover

The Coastal Valleys EMS Agency has released EMS Special Memorandum 25-001 Implementation of Emergency APOT Regulations

The California EMS Authority has activated emergency regulations requiring EMS providers and Emergency Departments (EDs) to collect Ambulance Patient Offload Time (APOT) data, as mandated by California Health and Safety Code §1797.120.5. A receiving ED staff signature is now legally required at the time of patient transfer, defined as when the patient is off the gurney and report has been given to a qualified staff member. This timestamp will serve as the official measure for hospital performance.

Key Points:

• A receiving facility signature will now be required for every ED transport and captured in the ePCR at turnover of care.
• In CVEMSA’s ImageTrend Elite, this field will remain optional until August 1, 2025, when it becomes mandatory for call closure.
• Agencies using other ePCR systems must ensure this data is captured starting August 1, 2025.

We recognize this implementation comes without extended stakeholder input due to its state mandate. We appreciate your collaboration in integrating this step into your turnover process, supporting system accountability and performance evaluation across our region.

Reference information can be found here:

Ambulance Patient Offload Time- Emergency Regulations

California Health and Safety Code section 1797.120.5.