Code of the District of Columbia

§ 1–327.54a. Development of emergency medical application.

(a) The Office shall develop an emergency medical application to aid a trained user in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation to an individual reported to be exhibiting signs of cardiac arrest while emergency medical service providers are dispatched to the individual's location. At a minimum, the emergency medical application shall:

(1) Notify a trained user that he or she is within a certain distance from an individual that is experiencing a cardiac arrest in a public location;

(2) Notify a trained user of the nearest location of a publicly accessible defibrillator;

(3) Assist emergency medical service providers in monitoring patients or relaying information to hospital emergency rooms; and

(4) Allow a trained user to alert the Office if an individual is experiencing a health emergency.

(b) The Director shall ensure that staff are adequately trained to assist trained users in the use of the emergency medical application.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, a trained user shall have the same protections as provided in § 7-401, and shall not be subject to criminal or, in the absence of gross negligence, civil liability for administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation or using an automated external defibrillator pursuant to this part:

(1) In good faith to treat a person who he or she reasonably believes is experiencing a cardiac arrest;

(2) Outside of a hospital or medical office; and

(3) Without the expectation of receiving or intending to seek compensation for such service or acts.

(d) For the purposes of this section, the term:

(1) "Emergency medical application" means a website or mobile platform where trained users can interact with the Office during medical emergencies.

(2) "Trained user" means a District resident or visitor using an emergency medical application who has been trained by an organization recognized by the Department of Health to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation to a victim of a cardiac arrest.