Meredith bill seeks to ease restrictions on hospitals looking to obtain Level IV trauma center status

A measure that would ease restrictions on hospitals seeking to obtain Level IV trauma center status has cleared the Kentucky Senate.

Senate Bill 12, sponsored by Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield, passed the Senate by a 27-11 vote.

The bill would allow Level IV trauma centers to operate if either a physician or an advanced practice provider is supervised by an on- or off-site physician at all times.

The measure seeks to “amend KRS 211.492 to define ‘advanced practice provider’ (and) amend KRS 211.494 to allow Level IV verified trauma centers to utilize physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses who are supervised by physicians to cover emergency departments require (and) the Department for Public Health to promulgate administrative regulations to conform.”

A Level IV trauma center is the lowest designation a trauma center can obtain in Kentucky.

“The state passed legislation in 2008 to establish a statewide trauma network but never appropriated funding,” Meredith told Forward Kentucky. “We’re 45^th nationally in trauma-related deaths and a good measure because of a lack of those resources. We need to build that network. I’m not here to ask for an appropriation today. I’m asking for relaxing some standards to expand our network.”

The bill now heads to the Kentucky House.

(Photo: State Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com