| (U) If the commissioner concurs with the recommendation to designate, the RAC shall receive a letter of designation for two years. Site surveys will be required every six years, or more frequently at the bureau's discretion. Additional actions, such as a site review or submission of information, to maintain designation may be required by the department. (V) It shall be necessary to repeat the designation process as described in this section prior to expiration of a regional EMS/trauma system designation or the designation will be considered expired: (W) A designated regional EMS/trauma system shall: (i) notify the bureau within five days if temporarily unable to comply with the essential trauma system criteria; (ii) notify the bureau and RAC membership within five days if it is unable to provide the resources as required by its designation. (I) If the resources are not critical, the bureau will determine a 30-day to 90-day period from onset date of deficiency for the RAC to achieve compliance. (II) If the resources are critical, the bureau will determine a no greater than 30-day period from onset date of the deficiency for the RAC to achieve compliance. (iii) notify the bureau if the RAC will no longer provide services commensurate with designation. If the regional EMS/trauma system chooses to permanently relinquish its designation, it shall provide at least 30 days notice to the bureau. (iv) comply with the provisions within these sections, all current state and system standards as described in this chapter, and all policies, guidelines, and procedures as set forth in the system plan; (v) continue its commitment to provide the resources as required by its designation; and (vi) utilize the state trauma registry. (X) A regional EMS/trauma system may not use the terms "regional trauma system", "trauma system", or similar terminology in its signs or advertisements or in the printed materials and information it provides to the public unless the regional EMS/trauma system has been designated as a regional EMS/trauma system according to the process described in this section. This subsection also applies to regional EMS/trauma systems whose designation has lapsed. (Y) The bureau shall have the right to review, inspect, evaluate, and audit all RAC performance improvement committee minutes and other documents relevant to trauma care in any designated regional EMS/trauma system at any time to verify compliance with the statute and these rules, including the designation criteria. The bureau shall maintain confidentiality of such records to the extent authorized by the Public Information Act, (Government Code, Chapter 552), the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 773 and/or any other relevant confidentiality law or regulation. Such inspections shall be scheduled by the bureau when appropriate. (c) Regional EMS/trauma system criteria. Attached Graphic |
