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Critically injured patients in Pasco and Manatee counties can now seek treatment closer to home with the opening of new trauma centers at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson and Blake Medical Center in Bradenton.
But the new programs have been opposed by Tampa General Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and Bayfront Medical Center, which fear the loss of patients could harm the quality and financial stability of the region's existing trauma centers in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Their position has been supported by a judge, and the state is appealing his decision.
While that fight plays out in court, the Florida Department of Health on Friday quietly granted preliminary approval to four trauma centers at Florida hospitals owned by the HCA chain, working in partnership with the University of South Florida.
By 8 a.m. on Saturday, the $4.5-million trauma center at the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point was open for business, officials said.
"Having a trauma center here will mean faster treatment for trauma patients, which could be the difference between life and death, and will satisfy a huge need in our community," Pam Schlicher, Bayonet Point's vice president of emergency and trauma services, said in a statement.
But the new trauma centers could be devastating to Bayfront, Tampa General and St. Joseph's, which sued to stop the new centers from opening. In court filings, all three hospitals said they already are losing millions of dollars on trauma care, which frequently is not covered by private or government insurance. The existing programs are all located at not-for-profit hospitals; HCA, formerly headed by Gov. Rick Scott, is a for-profit corporation.
Beyond the revenue at stake, the hospitals argued that trauma surgeons and other staff must stay busy to maintain quality. And even without the added competition, fewer people need trauma care these days, possibly because of a decline in auto accidents.
In 2005, a statewide analysis led by USF investigators determined that "Tampa Bay has adequate trauma center access." But it and other recent research were never incorporated into the state's approval process.
In September, Tallahassee Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins ruled in the established trauma centers' favor, calling the state criteria for approving new trauma centers outdated. He said it fails to take into account advancements such as more helicopter transport of trauma patients greater distances and better life-support in ambulances.
State health officials appealed the ruling. It was not clear Tuesday how the decision to approve the new trauma centers provisionally would affect the legal proceedings.
Officials at St. Joseph's, Bayfront and Tampa General said they were disappointed by the new centers' opening.
"In the case of trauma centers 'more' does not equal better," Bayfront officials said in a statement Tuesday. "Trauma teams need volume to stay sharp. You want the most experienced surgeons and nurses at your side during a life or death trauma case."
Tampa General added: "We believe that in approving the applications, the agency improperly relied on a rule that was declared invalid by an administrative law judge. We continue to explore all of our legal options."
Having received provisional state approval, the HCA hospitals in Hudson and Bradenton have begun treating trauma patients. Between now and mid-January, state officials will review their applications in detail, after which the hospitals have time to address any problem areas.
If they pass that step, the hospitals would have to undergo a site survey. Final approval or denial would be granted by Feb. 2013.
Times researcher Natalie Watson contributed to this story. Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8330.
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