The Department of Health gave its approval to two HCA-owned trauma centers on the same day it held a workshop to discuss the impact of such facilities on the community.
While the public and hospital representatives weighed in on the impact of new facilities, DOH gave approval to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson and Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, the Tampa Tribunereports. Both have already been in operation for months.
The new designations come amid an ongoing legal fight over a DOH rule on new trauma centers. DOH is appealing the decision that favored existing facilities. Since Bayonet and Blake applied for designations before that appeal was filed, DOH says, they could be approved as trauma centers, the Bradenton Herald reports.
Meanwhile, the American College of Surgeons is working on an independent review of Florida’s trauma facilities, the Times reports. A team is in Tallahassee through Tuesday.
