Despite an administrative judge ruling otherwise, Orange Park Medical Center in Florida is proceeding with its plan to open a trauma center, reports The Florida Times-Union.
Last week, the judge agreed with Shands Jacksonville Medical Center and other hospitals that the Florida Department of Health's process for approving trauma centers is flawed. They argued that HCA plans to open trauma centers in Clay, Pasco, and Manatee counties would divert patients away from existing trauma centers, notes the Times-Union.
The Department of Health is going to appeal the judge's decision, Department spokesperson Jessica Hammonds said in an email to Sunshine State News.
In addition to Orange Park, the trauma-center applications for Blake Medical Center and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point--all of which are HCA-owned--are also being disputed.
HCA is no stranger to conflict, as its deal with the Colorado Health Foundation was recently criticized by former Foundation board members who worry the hospital operator may risk patients' access to care.
Orange Park's new trauma center is part of $40 million expansion project. A new emergency room and patient rooms will open as planned in November, but the trauma center will be postponed until the application process is settled.
For more information:
- read The Florida Times-Union article
- here's the Sunshine State News article
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