Preamble

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission is empowered to adopt such regulations and standards pertaining to the operation and management of hospitals as are necessary for the public interest. On November 24, 1982, the EMS Advisory Council prepared and presented to the Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities (“Board”) a recommendation that a formal review of the issues involved in the designation of trauma centers for the State of Tennessee be explored. Subsequently, on February 17, 1983, the Board requested a presentation regarding the City of Memphis Hospital Trauma Center in an effort to further define the need for action on trauma center designation and/or categorization. As a result of that presentation, the Board created a Task Force to evaluate and recommend criteria concerning the development of trauma systems and the operation of trauma centers in the state. Trauma Rules were transferred from chapter 1200-08-12 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective July 1, 2022. The process of Designation and Reverification is voluntary on the part of hospitals in the state. It is meant to identify those hospitals that make a commitment to provide a given level of care of the acutely injured patient. Knowledge of statewide trauma care capabilities and the use of trauma triage protocols will enable providers to make timely decisions, promote appropriate utilization of the trauma care delivery system, and ultimately save lives.