The Florida Department of Health rejected WCH’s request for provisional approval May 1, stating the hospital’s application did not meet specific standards. WCH issued a 14-page challenge of the decision, arguing the hospital “already incurred the considerable expense of putting the necessary resources in place” to operate the center.
The challenge also stated WCH will “continue to incur substantial costs in order to keep these resources in place while it pursues a trauma center designation,” according to hearing documents obtained by Health News Florida. “At the same time, absent the provisional license, WCH will be unable to receive offsetting revenue from the treatment of trauma patients. Also adversely affected are the pediatric trauma patients who are being denied access to what would be the only pediatric trauma center” in a five-county area of northeast Florida.
WCH is seeking support from an administrative judge to allow the hospital to open the provisional trauma center.
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