1. A. At MIEMSS' discretion, MIEMSS may accept verification of a specialty referral center by a nationally recognized medical specialty organization, without conducting an on-site review.

2. B. The on-site review process for initial designation of specialty referral centers shall be conducted in accordance with Regulation .05 of this chapter, with the following exceptions:

   1. (1) The on-site review team shall consist of MIEMSS staff, as well as medical, administrative, and nursing professionals having expertise in the specialty being designated;
   2. (2) The Executive Director may appoint additional staff from other State agencies to the on-site review team when those agencies have shared regulatory oversight in the specialty referral center;

   3. (3) MIEMSS shall select a team, which, at a minimum, shall include MIEMSS staff and three representatives from the following categories:

      1. (a) Specialty physician;
      2. (b) Emergency physician;
      3. (c) Specialty nurse;
      4. (d) Administrator;

   4. (4) The on-site review team members shall:

      1. (a) Evaluate the appropriateness and capability of the applicant to provide specialty care services, according to the designation standards for that particular specialty, as described at COMAR 30.08.06—30.08.12;

      2. (b) Verify the hospital's ability to meet the:

         1. (i) Responsibilities of, and the resources, equipment, and performance standards for, the type of specialty referral center designation sought, and
         2. (ii) Overall needs of that particular specialty system in that region;
      3. (c) Familiarize themselves with the hospital's application and the designation standards;
      4. (d) Inspect the hospital's physical plant;
      5. (e) Interview team members and management personnel;
      6. (f) Examine the hospital's specialty care-related documents, including patient care records;
      7. (g) Review other materials considered appropriate by MIEMSS;
      8. (h) Provide an exit interview of preliminary findings to the applicant upon the completion of the on-site review; and
      9. (i) Provide a brief written summary of preliminary findings upon the completion of the on-site review.

Authority: Education Article, §13-509, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: March 24, 1997 (24:6 Md. R. 488)

Regulations .01—.10 amended effective July 1, 2002 (29:12 Md. R. 932)

Regulation .01 amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2006 (33:15 Md. R. 1276); amended permanently effective October 23. 2006 (33:21 Md. R. 1678)

Regulation .02D amended as an emergency provision effective June 1, 2006 (33:15 Md. R. 1276); amended permanently effective October 23. 2006 (33:21 Md. R. 1678)

Regulation .03D amended effective October 3, 2011 (38:20 Md. R. 1205)

Regulation .03I amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1947); October 12, 2015 (42:20 Md. R. 1265)

Regulation .04A amended effective October 3, 2011 (38:20 Md. R. 1205)

Regulation .05B amended effective December 19, 2005 (32:25 Md. R. 1947); October 12, 2015 (42:20 Md. R. 1265)

Regulation .07C, G amended effective October 3, 2011 (38:20 Md. R. 1205)

Regulation .10 amended effective October 3, 2011 (38:20 Md. R. 1205); July 1, 2020 (47:5 Md. R. 313)