New Jersey-2024-A2045-Introduced

An Act concerning designated trauma centers, amending P.L.2013, c.223, and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. (New section) a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner of Health shall not issue a certificate of need to any health care facility designating the facility as a trauma center if the facility is located within 15 miles of any other facility that is currently designated as a trauma center.

b. The commissioner shall not issue a request for certificate of need applications for health care facilities to seek designation as a trauma center unless the State Trauma System Advisory Committee recommends in favor of issuing the request as provided in subsection e. of section 4 of P.L.2013, c.223 (C.26:2KK-4).

2. Section 4 of P.L.2013, c.223 (C.26:2KK-4) is amended to read as follows:

4. a. The commissioner shall establish a multidisciplinary State Trauma System Advisory Committee (STSAC) to advise the commissioner and the State Trauma Medical Director on the development of a formal Statewide trauma system plan. In order to enable maximum input from stakeholders, the STSAC shall include, to the extent feasible, representatives of all aspects of trauma care. The members of the committee, who shall be appointed by the Governor, shall include [, but need not be limited to,] representatives of the following trauma care providers in the State:

(1) the medical director of each State-designated trauma center, provided that the trauma program managers of each State designated trauma center may serve as alternates for the medical director of each State-certified trauma center;

(2) the medical director of a State-certified burn treatment facility;

(3) the chairperson of the New Jersey Emergency Medical Services Council;

(4) the medical director of a rehabilitation facility in the State that treats patients with traumatic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and traumatic spinal cord injuries;

(5) three representatives of pre-hospital care providers in the State, including an advanced life support provider as recommended by the State mobile intensive care advisory council, a volunteer basic life support provider as recommended by the New Jersey State First Aid Council, and a paid basic life support provider;

(6) The New Jersey licensed physician chairperson of the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma;

(7) a New Jersey licensed physician recommended by the New Jersey Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians;

(8) a New Jersey licensed nurse recommended by the New Jersey Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association;

(9) one individual with expertise in the prevention of injury; and

(10) one medical director of the emergency department of a New Jersey hospital that is not a State-designated trauma center.

b. (1) The STSAC shall have an executive committee appointed by the commissioner from among the members of the STSAC, consisting of two medical directors from State-designated Level One trauma centers; two medical directors from State designated Level Two trauma centers; one medical director of an emergency department from a New Jersey hospital that is not the site of a State-designated trauma center; one representative of pre-hospital care providers in the State; and the State Trauma Medical Director, who shall serve ex officio as chair of the executive committee of the STSAC.

(2) The executive committee of the STSAC shall set forth the times and agenda of the meetings of the STSAC, coordinate the policy recommendations of the STSAC, and draft the STSAC's initial and subsequent reports.

c. (1) Each member of the STSAC shall serve for a term of three years and may be reappointed to one or more subsequent terms, except that of the members first appointed, one third shall serve for a term of three years, one third for a term of two years, and one third for a term of one year. Vacancies in the membership of the committee shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments.

(2) The STSAC shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and shall hold its initial meeting no later than 90 days after the effective date of this act.

(3) The members of the STSAC shall select a chairperson and vice chair. The vice chair shall conduct the committee meetings when the chairperson is unable to attend.

(4) The members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and within the limits of available funds.

d. (1) Consistent with the recommendations of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, and, to the extent applicable, consistent with the processes outlined in the State Trauma System Planning Guide issued by the National Association of State Emergency Medical Services Officials, the STSAC shall: analyze data related to trauma care in the State; design a formal system of trauma care in the State with system-wide standards of pre-hospital triage and hospital-based care and policies; evaluate the State trauma system on an ongoing basis, and identify strategies to ensure optimal coordination of the Statewide trauma system. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the STSAC shall seek input from stakeholders representing all aspects of trauma care in the State.

(2) Within one year following the date of enactment of this act, the STSAC shall prepare and submit a report to the commissioner and the State Trauma Medical Director, which shall include a recommended comprehensive State trauma system plan. The plan shall address:

(a) Best practices and standards for all trauma care providers;

(b) Development and implementation of protocols for the stabilization and transfer of patients;

(c) Training requirements for acute care hospital personnel with respect to identifying, stabilizing, and arranging for the transfer of a patient whose condition is beyond the scope of the hospital's capabilities;

(d) Mandatory trauma triage practices to be performed by emergency medical service providers;

(e) Any other issues that the STSAC determines to be appropriate for inclusion in the plan.

(3) Subsequent to the receipt of the initial report and recommendation submitted by the STSAC pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner shall promulgate regulations establishing and implementing a State trauma system plan.

(4) Subsequent to the preparation and issuance of its initial report pursuant to this subsection, the STSAC shall: systematically review strategies to maintain and improve the State trauma system; submit an annual report to the commissioner and the State Trauma Medical Director on its activities; and provide any recommendations it determines are necessary to improve the State trauma system.

e. Prior to issuing a request for certificate of need applications for health care facilities to apply for trauma center designation, the commissioner shall submit the proposed request to the STSAC, which shall review the proposed request and issue a recommendation as to whether the commissioner may issue the request. No request for certificate of need applications for health care facilities to apply for trauma center designation shall be issued if the STSAC recommends against issuing the request.

(cf: P.L.2013, c.223, s.4)

3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill revises the requirements for health care facilities to be designated as trauma centers. Specifically, the bill prohibits any facility from being issued a certificate of need designating the facility as a trauma center if that facility is located within 15 miles of another facility that is currently designated as a trauma center.

Additionally, the bill requires that the Commissioner of Health submit any proposed request for certificate of need applications for health care facilities to apply for trauma center designation to the State Trauma System Advisory Committee (STSAC), which is to review the proposed request and issue a recommendation as to whether the commissioner may issue the request for applications. No request for certificate of need applications for health care facilities to apply for trauma center designation may be issued if the STSAC recommends against issuance.