2006 Minnesota Statutes

144.605 DESIGNATING TRAUMA HOSPITALS.
    Subdivision 1. Naming privileges. Unless it has been designated a trauma hospital by the
commissioner, no hospital shall use the term trauma center or trauma hospital in its name or its
advertising or shall otherwise indicate it has trauma treatment capabilities.
    Subd. 2. Designation; reverification. The commissioner shall designate four levels of
trauma hospitals. A hospital that voluntarily meets the criteria for a particular level of trauma
hospital shall apply to the commissioner for designation and, upon the commissioner's verifying
the hospital meets the criteria, be designated a trauma hospital at the appropriate level for a
three-year period. Prior to the expiration of the three-year designation, a hospital seeking to
remain part of the voluntary system must apply for and successfully complete a reverification
process, be awaiting the site visit for the reverification, or be awaiting the results of the site
visit. The commissioner may extend a hospital's existing designation for up to 18 months on a
provisional basis if the hospital has applied for reverification in a timely manner but has not yet
completed the reverification process within the expiration of the three-year designation and the
extension is in the best interest of trauma system patient safety. To be granted a provisional
extension, the hospital must be:
(1) scheduled and awaiting the site visit for reverification;
(2) awaiting the results of the site visit; or
(3) responding to and correcting identified deficiencies identified in the site visit.
    Subd. 3. ACS verification. The commissioner shall grant the appropriate level I, II, or III
trauma hospital designation to a hospital that successfully completes and passes the American
College of Surgeons (ACS) verification standards at the hospital's cost, submits verification
documentation to the Trauma Advisory Council, and formally notifies the Trauma Advisory
Council of ACS verification.
    Subd. 4. Level III designation; not ACS verified. (a) The commissioner shall grant the
appropriate level III trauma hospital designation to a hospital that is not ACS verified but that
successfully completes the designation process under paragraph (b).
(b) The hospital must complete and submit a self-reported survey and application to the
Trauma Advisory Council for review, verifying that the hospital meets the criteria as a level III
trauma hospital. When the Trauma Advisory Council is satisfied the application is complete, the
commissioner shall arrange a site review visit. Upon successful completion of the site review, the
review team shall make written recommendations to the Trauma Advisory Council. If approved
by the Trauma Advisory Council, a letter of recommendation shall be sent to the commissioner
for final approval and designation.
    Subd. 5. Level IV designation. (a) The commissioner shall grant the appropriate level IV
trauma hospital designation to a hospital that successfully completes the designation process
under paragraph (b).
(b) The hospital must complete and submit a self-reported survey and application to the
Trauma Advisory Council for review, verifying that the hospital meets the criteria as a level IV
trauma hospital. When the Trauma Advisory Council is satisfied the application is complete, the
council shall review the application and, if the council approves the application, send a letter of
recommendation to the commissioner for final approval and designation. The commissioner
shall grant a level IV designation and shall arrange a site review visit within three years of the
designation and every three years thereafter, to coincide with the three-year reverification process.
    Subd. 6. Changes in designation. Changes in a trauma hospital's ability to meet the criteria
for the hospital's level of designation must be self-reported to the Trauma Advisory Council and
to other regional hospitals and local emergency medical services providers and authorities. If the
hospital cannot correct its ability to meet the criteria for its level within six months, the hospital
may apply for redesignation at a different level.
    Subd. 7. Higher designation. A trauma hospital may apply for a higher trauma hospital
designation one time during the hospital's three-year designation by completing the designation
process for that level of trauma hospital.
    Subd. 8. Loss of designation. The commissioner may refuse to designate or redesignate
or may revoke a previously issued trauma hospital designation if a hospital does not meet the
criteria of the statewide trauma plan, in the interests of patient safety, or if a hospital denies
or refuses a reasonable request by the commissioner or the commissioner's designee to verify
information by correspondence or an on-site visit.
History: 1Sp2005 c 4 art 6 s 28