Ohio Revised Code
Chapter 3727 | Hospitals
Section 3727.09 | Trauma Care Protocols - Trauma Patient Transfer Agreements.

Effective: September 17, 2002
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 124 - 124th General Assembly
(A) As used in this section and sections 3727.10 and 3727.101 of the Revised Code:
(1) "Trauma," "trauma care," "trauma center," "trauma patient," "pediatric," and "adult" have the same meanings as in section 4765.01 of the Revised Code.
(2) "Stabilize" and "transfer" have the same meanings as in section 1753.28 of the Revised Code.
(B) On and after November 3, 2002, each hospital in this state that is not a trauma center shall adopt protocols for adult and pediatric trauma care provided in or by that hospital; each hospital in this state that is an adult trauma center and not a level I or level II pediatric trauma center shall adopt protocols for pediatric trauma care provided in or by that hospital; each hospital in this state that is a pediatric trauma center and not a level I and II adult trauma center shall adopt protocols for adult trauma care provided in or by that hospital. In developing its trauma care protocols, each hospital shall consider the guidelines for trauma care established by the American college of surgeons, the American college of emergency physicians, and the American academy of pediatrics. Trauma care protocols shall be written, comply with applicable federal and state laws, and include policies and procedures with respect to all of the following:
(1) Evaluation of trauma patients, including criteria for prompt identification of trauma patients who require a level of adult or pediatric trauma care that exceeds the hospital's capabilities;
(2) Emergency treatment and stabilization of trauma patients prior to transfer to an appropriate adult or pediatric trauma center;
(3) Timely transfer of trauma patients to appropriate adult or pediatric trauma centers based on a patient's medical needs. Trauma patient transfer protocols shall specify all of the following:
(a) Confirmation of the ability of the receiving trauma center to provide prompt adult or pediatric trauma care appropriate to a patient's medical needs;
(b) Procedures for selecting an appropriate alternative adult or pediatric trauma center to receive a patient when it is not feasible or safe to transport the patient to a particular trauma center;
(c) Advance notification and appropriate medical consultation with the trauma center to which a trauma patient is being, or will be, transferred;
(d) Procedures for selecting an appropriate method of transportation and the hospital responsible for arranging or providing the transportation;
(e) Confirmation of the ability of the persons and vehicle that will transport a trauma patient to provide appropriate adult or pediatric trauma care;
(f) Assured communication with, and appropriate medical direction of, the persons transporting a trauma patient to a trauma center;
(g) Identification and timely transfer of appropriate medical records of the trauma patient being transferred;
(h) The hospital responsible for care of a patient in transit;
(i) The responsibilities of the physician attending a patient and, if different, the physician who authorizes a transfer of the patient;
(j) Procedures for determining, in consultation with an appropriate adult or pediatric trauma center and the persons who will transport a trauma patient, when transportation of the patient to a trauma center may be delayed for either of the following reasons:
(i) Immediate transfer of the patient is unsafe due to adverse weather or ground conditions.
(ii) No trauma center is able to provide appropriate adult or pediatric trauma care to the patient without undue delay.
(4) Peer review and quality assurance procedures for adult and pediatric trauma care provided in or by the hospital.
(C)(1) On and after November 3, 2002, each hospital shall enter into all of the following written agreements unless otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section:
(a) An agreement with one or more adult trauma centers in each level of categorization as a trauma center higher than the hospital that governs the transfer of adult trauma patients from the hospital to those trauma centers;
(b) An agreement with one or more pediatric trauma centers in each level of categorization as a trauma center higher than the hospital that governs the transfer of pediatric trauma patients from the hospital to those trauma centers.
(2) A level I or level II adult trauma center is not required to enter into an adult trauma patient transfer agreement with another hospital. A level I or level II pediatric trauma center is not required to enter into a pediatric trauma patient transfer agreement with another hospital. A hospital is not required to enter into an adult trauma patient transfer agreement with a level III or level IV adult trauma center, or enter into a pediatric trauma patient transfer agreement with a level III or level IV pediatric trauma center, if no trauma center of that type is reasonably available to receive trauma patients transferred from the hospital.
(3) A trauma patient transfer agreement entered into by a hospital under division (C)(1) of this section shall comply with applicable federal and state laws and contain provisions conforming to the requirements for trauma care protocols set forth in division (B) of this section.
(D) A hospital shall make trauma care protocols it adopts under division (B) of this section and trauma patient transfer agreements it adopts under division (C) of this section available for public inspection during normal working hours. A hospital shall furnish a copy of such documents upon request and may charge a reasonable and necessary fee for doing so, provided that upon request it shall furnish a copy of such documents to the director of health free of charge.
(E) A hospital that ceases to operate as an adult or pediatric trauma center under provisional status is not in violation of divisions (B) and (C) of this section during the time it develops different trauma care protocols and enters into different patient transfer agreements pursuant to division (D)(2)(c) of section 3727.101 of the Revised Code.

Structure Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Revised Code

Title 37 | Health-Safety-Morals

Chapter 3727 | Hospitals

Section 3727.01 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Definitions.

Section 3727.02 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Certifying or Accrediting Requirements for Hospitals.

Section 3727.03 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Proof of Certification or Accreditation.

Section 3727.04 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Inspections.

Section 3727.05 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Injunctions.

Section 3727.06 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Admission and Medical Supervision of Patients.

Section 3727.07 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Maternity and Psychiatric Units Exempted.

Section 3727.08 | Protocols for Interviews and Photographs of Domestic Violence Victims.

Section 3727.081 | Standards and Procedures for Designating Hospitals as Level II Pediatric Trauma Centers.

Section 3727.09 | Trauma Care Protocols - Trauma Patient Transfer Agreements.

Section 3727.10 | Prohibited Acts Regarding Trauma Care.

Section 3727.101 | Initial Verification or Reverification as Adult or Pediatric Trauma Center.

Section 3727.102 | Notice of Changes in Trauma Center Status to State Agencies.

Section 3727.11 | Representation as Comprehensive Stroke Center, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.

Section 3727.12 | Application for Recognition as Comprehensive Stroke Center, Primary Stroke Center, or Acute Stroke Ready Hospital.

Section 3727.13 | Satisfaction of Requirements.

Section 3727.14 | Certification by Accrediting Organization.

Section 3727.15 | Adoption of Rules.

Section 3727.16 | Woman Appearing at Hospital Regarding Fetal Death.

Section 3727.17 | Hospital to Provide Staff Person to Assist Unmarried Parents - Acknowledgments of Paternity - Liability.

Section 3727.18 | Warning Sign Regarding Abuse or Assault of Hospital Staff.

Section 3727.19 | Vaccinations to Be Offered to Patients.

Section 3727.20 | Option for Placement of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive Placed After Delivery; Exception.

Section 3727.21 | Hospitals May Conduct Discussions or Negotiations Concerning Allocation of Equipment or Services.

Section 3727.22 | Request for Approval of Agreement to Undertake Cooperative Action.

Section 3727.23 | Adoption of Rules.

Section 3727.24 | State to Provide Direction, Supervision, and Control Over Approved Cooperative Agreements.

Section 3727.42 | Price Information List.

Section 3727.43 | Disclosing Overcharges.

Section 3727.44 | Rules Governing Availability of Hospital Price Information.

Section 3727.45 | Injunction to Obtain Compliance.

Section 3727.49 | Freestanding Emergency Department; Notice.

Section 3727.50 | Hospital Nursing Staff Definitions.

Section 3727.51 | Hospital-Wide Nursing Care Committee.

Section 3727.52 | Duties of Nursing Care Committee.

Section 3727.53 | Written Nursing Services Staffing Plan.

Section 3727.54 | Review of Current Staffing Plan - Recommendations.

Section 3727.55 | Model for Adjusting Unit Staffing Plans.

Section 3727.56 | Copies of Staffing Plan to Be Provided.

Section 3727.57 | Collective Bargaining Agreement Not Affected.

Section 3727.60 | Prohibitions for Public Hospitals Regarding Nontherapeutic Abortions.

Section 3727.70 | Definitions.

Section 3727.71 | Designation of Lay Caregiver.

Section 3727.72 | Duties of Hospital Upon Designation.

Section 3727.73 | Revocation of Designation.

Section 3727.74 | Notification of Intent to Discharge.

Section 3727.75 | Discharge Plan.

Section 3727.76 | Review of Discharge Plan.

Section 3727.77 | Nature of Designation.

Section 3727.78 | Construction of Lay Caregiver Provisions.

Section 3727.79 | Adoption of Rules.

Section 3727.80 | Hospital Admission and Notification to Health Plan.

Section 3727.99 | [Repealed Effective 9/30/2024 by h.b. 110, 134th General Assembly] Penalty.