(A) Not later than two years after the effective date of this section, the director shall adopt rules that establish standards and procedures for designating hospitals under this section as level II pediatric trauma centers. The rules shall include standards to be followed by a hospital operating as a level II pediatric trauma center under the director’s designation and procedures to be used by the director in enforcing those standards. All rules adopted under this division shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code.

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(B) If a hospital has been denied verification as a pediatric trauma center by the American college of surgeons solely because the hospital does not meet that organization’s anesthesia and surgical staffing standards, the hospital may submit an application to the director of health to receive the director’s designation of the hospital as a level II pediatric trauma center. In a timely manner, the director shall review all applications received, except that the director shall cease reviewing applications on December 31, 2003. Any application pending on that date is void.

(C) Before designating a hospital as a level II pediatric trauma center, the director may conduct an inspection of the hospital. The inspection may be conducted by using a contractor of the department of health with appropriate competence and independence.

(D) The director shall designate a hospital as a level II pediatric trauma center if the hospital has submitted a complete application and the director finds that all of the following apply:

(1) The hospital has established trauma care protocols that ensure a surgeon and anesthesiologist are available from outside the hospital in a timely manner and on short notice.

(2) The hospital’s protocols ensure that the surgeon will participate in the early care of a trauma patient.

(3) The hospital has adhered to its protocols and the hospital’s performance has met the expected outcomes, as evidenced by data obtained from a review of at least two years of the hospital’s trauma care activities.

(4) The care of patients will not be compromised by designating the hospital as a level II pediatric trauma center.

(E) A hospital’s designation under this section expires December 31, 2004, unless earlier suspended or revoked by the director or surrendered by the hospital. Any action by the director to suspend or revoke a hospital’s designation shall be taken in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code.

(F) The director of health and any employee or contractor of the department of health shall not make public any information reported to or collected by the department of health under this section or rules adopted under it that identifies or would tend to identify specific patients.