Any hospital licensed in this state may provide to any person appearing or represented to be seriously sick or injured, without admission of such person to the hospital and without the immediate presence of a licensed physician and surgeon, such emergency treatment and care or, if such hospital does not maintain and operate an emergency department, such first aid services and care as may be indicated, considering the facilities and personnel available. Neither any hospital nor its agents or employees providing such services, pursuant to standby orders duly promulgated by the medical staff of said hospital, shall be deemed, by so doing, to be engaged in the practice of medicine, nor shall any such hospital, its agents or employees, or any physician be held liable in any civil action arising out of the furnishing of such services and care, in the absence of gross negligence under the existing circumstances.