DAR File No. 31068

Health, Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services

R426-5-3

Trauma Center Categorization Guidelines

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 31068
Filed: 03/20/2008, 03:25
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This change updates the trauma center designation criteria for all five levels of trauma centers to meet national standards established by the American College of Surgeons.

Summary of the rule or change:

The criteria for Level I, II, and III trauma center designations are adopted by reference from the current national standards established by the American College of Surgeons document, "Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 2006". The rule change also adopts by reference the "Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 1999", to establish the criteria for Level IV and V trauma center designations.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 26-8a-252

This rule or change incorporates by reference the following material:

Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient, 1999 and 2006 editions

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The rule change neither increases nor decreases the workload associated with the designation trauma centers in Utah. Adoption of the American College of Surgeons criteria eliminates cost to the state associated with updating old duplicative criteria as presently required in rule. Estimated savings to the State of Utah by eliminating the need to update and print the 1995 Trauma Plan is $5,000.

local governments:

The rule change will have no effect on local government entities due to the fact that there are no trauma centers or hospitals considering designation that are operated by local government entities.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

The rule change will have no effect on businesses with fewer than 50 employees as the smallest hospital in the state reports 60 employees. For hospitals having more than 50 employees, the cost of designation under the proposed rule will decrease because the need to prepare a duplicative State Trauma System document will be eliminated. The aggregate savings for the existing 9 trauma centers is approximately $540 for each 3-year renewal cycle. There will be no additional costs to comply with the newly adopted national standards as the designated trauma centers are already following the national standards.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

A designated trauma center may save approximately $60 every 3 years in paperwork savings because it will not need to fill out a separate form as required in the current rule. There will be no additional costs to comply with the newly adopted national standards as the designated trauma centers are already following the national standards.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

This proposed rule conforms Utah's standards with national standards used by facilities currently and should have a small positive fiscal impact on regulated business. A. Richard Melton, Acting Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Health
Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services
CANNON HEALTH BLDG
288 N 1460 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3231

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Jolene Whitney at the above address, by phone at 801-538-6290, by FAX at 801-538-6808, or by Internet E-mail at jrwhitney@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/15/2008

This rule may become effective on:

05/22/2008

Authorized by:

Richard Melton, Deputy Director

R426. Health, Health Systems Improvement, Emergency Medical Services.

R426-5. Statewide Trauma System Standards.

R426-5-3. Trauma Center Categorization Guidelines.

[(1) To establish a basis for trauma center categorization and designation, the Department shall utilize trauma center criteria established in the 1995 Utah Trauma System Plan. The criteria takes into consideration current national standards for trauma center categorization.]The Department adopts as criteria for Level I, Level II, Level III, and Pediatric trauma center designation, compliance with national standards published in the American College of Surgeons document: Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 2006. The Department adopts as criteria for Level IV and Level V trauma center designation the American College of Surgeons document: Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient 1999, except that a Level V trauma center need not have a general surgeon on the medical staff and may be staffed by nurse practitioners or certified physician assistants.

 

KEY: emergency medical services, trauma, reporting

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [December 12, 2007]2008

Notice of Continuation: July 18, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26-8a-252