What is the Hospital Exchange System

TEMS opened communication between hospitals and EMS agencies. This system is an agreement between EMS agencies and the hospitals to exchange IV and Drug boxes at the pharmacy when the EMS agency uses either of the boxes. 

How Does the System Work

The hospital pharmacy stocks and restocks the items in the red drug box or orange IV box with the agreed upon list of equipment and medications. As the EMS provider uses the equipment or medication, or if something expires, the provider brings the box back to the hospital determined box exchange location to swap out for an in-tact box. A form is filled out.

What Should Be in the Boxes

What Happens When I Use a Box

Follow the instructions at the hospital and accompany the swap with a filled out EMS short form here.

How Do I Report an Incident

WHAT TO REPORT: Any perceived problem that could adversely affect pre-hospital care; any incident having occurred that represents a deviation from established policy or procedure; any infection control hazard; any unusual occurrence, regardless of whether harm or damage resulted.

WHO REPORTS: Any individual ALS technician or ALS Agency representative.
– Representatives of hospital Emergency rooms.
– Representatives of hospital pharmacies.
– TEMS staff members

WHEN TO REPORT: An incident report should be generated as soon as a potential problem has been discovered or an incident has occurred. Reports should be forwarded to the TEMS office as soon as possible.

HOW TO REPORT:    TEMS Drug/IV Box Incident On-line Form

How Often is the System Reviewed

Tidewater EMS Council annually reviews, updates and gets approval for our Regional Drug and IV Box Policy (Appendix B) and the Policy for the Restocking Supply (Appendix G)

How is Inventory Tracked

Quarterly an inventory report is filled out and filed. Fill out the form here.

Reporting Tampering of These Boxes

Any notifications should be made to the Office of EMS within 15 days of the discovery of the occurrence using this Drug Diversion Request Form.

Learn More

Here are the policies associated with this program:

Appendix B – Drug and IV Box Policy
Appendix F – Restocking Supply Policy

Drug Box Specifications:
10.5″ w X 15.5″ h X 4.5 d”
Model: Emergency Kit #10061-CF
Supplier / Manufacture: Lionville System, Inc 311 Commerce Drive Exton, PA 19341 (800) 523-7114
Other Information: Discount for 6 or more kits

IV Box specifications
Inside 17 1/8″ L X 9.5″ W X 5″ d
Model: Paramedic Kit PM2072
Supplier: Southeastern Emergency Equipment (800) 334-6656
Manufacturer: Flambeau 15981 Valplast Road Middlefield, OH 44062 (800) 344-5716 www.flambeaucases.com
Other Information: Contact for large shipments.

RSI Box Specifications
7.87″ X 3.81″ X 1.5″
Model: Otter Box 3000 series
Supplier / Manufacture: Fuerte Cases 10767 Puebla Drive La Mesa, CA 91941 (619) 444-3583 www.fuertecases.com
Other Information: Watertight, Foam Padded