A rural health network is an organization that meets the following specifications:

(a) It includes—

(1) At least one hospital that the State has designated or plans to designate as a CAH; and

(2) At least one hospital that furnishes acute care services.

(b) The members of the organization have entered into agreements regarding—

(1) Patient referral and transfer;

(2) The development and use of communications systems, including, where feasible, telemetry systems and systems for electronic sharing of patient data; and

(3) The provision of emergency and nonemergency transportation among members.

(c) Each CAH has an agreement with respect to credentialing and quality assurance with at least—

(1) One hospital that is a member of the network when applicable;

(2) One QIO or equivalent entity; or

(3) One other appropriate and qualified entity identified in the State rural health care plan.

[58 FR 30671, May 26, 1993, as amended at 62 FR 46035, Aug. 29, 1997; 63 FR 26359, May 12, 1998]