Colorado Legislative Council Staff

NO FISCAL IMPACT

TITLE:            CONCERNING THE STATEWIDE TRAUMA CARE SYSTEM, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AUTHORIZING THE DESIGNATION OF REGIONAL PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTERS AND PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION COLLECTED BY AREA TRAUMA ADVISORY COUNCILS.

Summary of Assessment

            The bill authorizes the Department of Public Health and Environment (DPHE) to designate a facility as a regional pediatric trauma center. The bill also requires that any data or information collected by an area trauma advisory council (ATAC), as part of the continuing quality improvement system (CQI) under the statewide trauma care system, and any reports or records collected as a result of the CQI are confidential. Additionally, said information and records are exempt from the open records law and may not be subpoenaed or subject to discovery except by court order. The State Board of Health is directed to adopt rules protecting the confidentiality of patient's names and identifying information collected through CQI. The bill is effective upon signature of the Governor.

            DPHE indicates that current rules for CQI under the statewide trauma care system are complementary to ensuring confidentiality. The state's 16 ATACs have varying levels of technical support to provide CQI. However, the requirement to ensure confidentiality, does not in itself, create a fiscal impact. Therefore, the bill is assessed as having no fiscal impact.

Departments Contacted

            Public Health and Environment