HOSPITALS: Creates an exception to hospital credentialing requirements in certain circumstances

HB 498 creates a temporary exception to standard hospital credentialing rules for healthcare professionals transferring patients between facilities. It requires hospitals to grant emergency privileges for specific "unique procedures" (like ECMO or organ transplant-related care) if the professional is already credentialed to perform that exact procedure at the receiving hospital. Hospitals must verify this credentialing and grant the temporary privileges within one hour of notification. This applies only to the duration of the unique procedure, directly affecting hospitals, physicians, and specialized staff during urgent patient transfers.