LAC 48:I.9535. Medical Staff

A. The medical director in Level I units shall be: 1. board certified in pediatrics and board certified or in the process of board certification in pediatric critical care medicine (certification shall be completed within five years); 2. board certified in anesthesiology with practice limited to infants and children with special qualifications (as defined by the American Board of Anesthesiology) in critical care medicine; or 3. board certified in pediatric care medicine (as defined by the American Board of Surgery). A Level II medical director shall meet the same criteria of Level I except the board certification in Pediatric Critical Medicine is not required. The medical director shall name a qualified alternate to serve in his or her absence. B. In existing units, consideration will be given to waiving this requirement for board certified pediatricians with a minimum of five years experience in pediatric care who are currently serving as medical directors of Levels I and II units. The request for waiver shall be made in writing to the Office of the Secretary. C. Levels I and II units shall have at least one physician of at least the postgraduate year two assigned to the PICU in-house 24 hours per day. D. Other physicians including the attending physician or designee shall be available within 30 minutes. E. Level I units shall have on staff a pediatric anesthesiologist, surgeon, cardiothoracic surgeon, neurosurgeon, intensivist, cardiologist, neurologist, pulmonologist, hematologist/oncologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, allergist or immunologist, as well as a radiologist, pathologist, and psychiatrist or psychologist. Level II units shall meet the above medical staffing requirements, except the cardiothoracic surgeon and the pediatric subspecialties. There shall be a five-year phase in period with regard to staffing requirements.