Maryland Health - General Section 19-308.2

      (a)      (1)      Subsection (b)(1) of this section is not intended to preempt the requirements of § 10-625 of this article.

            (2)      The Department shall adopt guidelines, after consultation with the Maryland Hospital Association, Inc., governing the transfer of patients between hospitals to ensure that transfers of patients between hospitals are accomplished in a medically appropriate manner and in accordance with the health care policies of the State that, at a minimum, require:

                  (i)      Notification to the receiving hospital before the transfer and confirmation by that hospital that the patient meets that hospital's admissions criteria relating to appropriate bed, physician, and other services necessary to treat the patient;

                  (ii)      The use of medically appropriate life-support measures that a reasonable and prudent physician exercising ordinary care would use to stabilize the patient before transfer and to sustain the patient during the transfer;

                  (iii)      The provision of appropriate personnel and equipment that a reasonable and prudent physician exercising ordinary care would use for the transfer; and

                  (iv)      The transfer of all necessary records for continuing the care for the patient.

      (b)      (1)      The Department shall adopt regulations providing for penalties for hospitals that violate provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

            (2)      A penalty not exceeding $1,000 may be imposed per violation.