§2173. Rules, regulations, and standards for licenses

A. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Part in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. The department shall consult with the Louisiana Emergency Response Network (LERN), the Louisiana Hospital Association, and the Louisiana State Medical Society in the development of rules and regulations.

B. The department shall promulgate minimum standards for trauma centers as defined in this Part which shall:

(1) Specify the number and types of trauma patients for whom such centers must provide care in order to ensure that such centers will have sufficient experience and expertise to be able to provide quality care for victims of injury.

(2) Specify the resources and equipment needed by such centers.

(3) Include standards and guidelines for triage and transportation of trauma patients prior to care in designated trauma centers.

(4) Specify procedures for the certification and evaluation of designated trauma centers.

(5) Include procedures for the receipt, recording of, and disposition of complaints.

(6) Provide for the right of appeal for those health care facilities for which certification has been refused.

(7) Provide for the verification and certification of trauma center status which assign level designations based on resources available within the applicable facility. Rules shall be based upon national guidelines, including but not limited to those established by the American College of Surgeons in Hospital and Pre-Hospital Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient and any published appendices thereto.

(8) Provide that LERN may fund the provision of data to the state trauma registry in accordance with the registry's adopted rules, requirements, and reporting cycle.

(9) Provide that certified trauma centers participate in LERN regional commissions and LERN regional and state-level trauma system performance improvement and injury prevention activities per American College of Surgeons guidelines once adequate funding has been secured by the certified trauma center.

C. The regulations promulgated under this Section shall be consistent with the guidelines for designation of trauma centers specified by the American College of Surgeons.

D. The regulations promulgated under this Section shall require health care facilities applying for certification as a trauma center to obtain a consultation site visit through the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons.

E. The department shall designate a health care facility as a trauma center when the requirements of this Section have been fulfilled and upon verification from the American College of Surgeons that the facility has met its criteria for Level I, II, or III. The "trauma center" label shall be reserved exclusively for hospitals with state-issued trauma center certification.

F. The department shall issue standard forms for applications and for inspection reports, after consultation with LERN and other appropriate organizations.

Acts 1987, No. 358, §1; Acts 2010, No. 934, §1.