A petition was filed by Florida State Hospital on behalf of Mohammed Rafi, M.D. with the Department of Health on August 14, 2009, and published in the Florida Administrative Weekly on August 28, 2009, requesting a waiver from paragraph 64J-1.004(3)(...

 

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Division of Emergency Medical Operations

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64J-1.004: Medical Direction

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT on November 6, 2009, the Florida Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Operations, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has issued an order.

A petition was filed by Florida State Hospital on behalf of Mohammed Rafi, M.D. with the Department of Health on August 14, 2009, and published in the Florida Administrative Weekly on August 28, 2009, requesting a waiver from paragraph 64J-1.004(3)(c), Florida Administrative Code, which requires medical directors of an emergency medical services (EMS) provider or training center to be board certified and active in a broad-based clinical medical specialty with demonstrated experience in prehospital care.

The Department of Health, Bureau of EMS has granted the request for waiver. The general basis for this decision was that Petitioner met the general requirements for waiver:

(a)Dr. Rafi’s extensive experience and proven competence in the practice of emergency medicine and pre-hospital care demonstrates that he possesses the skills required to achieve the purpose of the underlying statute.

(b)A substantial economic hardship would be placed upon Petitioner as it would be forced to recruit another physician to replace Dr. Rafi. Petitioner is located in a rural area and has difficulty employing board certified physicians to serve as Medical Director. Therefore, Petitioner may be unable to continue providing ambulance services to both Florida State Hospital and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Wherefore, based on the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the petition for waiver has been granted and allows Dr. Rafi to continue as Medical Director without board certification while employed by Florida State Hospital.

A copy of the Order may be obtained by contacting: Alexander Macy, Administrative Assistant, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C18, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1738, Fax: [phone], email: [e-mail].