Bill > H5164

This bill allows hospitals in South Carolina to temporarily place patient beds in hallways, corridors, or other areas meant for exiting the building during a "justified emergency," which is defined as a declared state of emergency, natural or manmade disaster, mass transit accident, industrial or construction accident, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear event, acts of violence causing injuries, acute outbreaks of contagious diseases, or when an emergency department is overwhelmed with patients. This exception to fire and building codes requires a designated hospital leader to document that all other treatment spaces are full and that patient safety is at risk, and hospitals must report these instances quarterly to the Department of Public Health. The bill also mandates that these areas be cleared of beds when not in use during an emergency, that pathways remain clear and exits unblocked, and that fire protection systems are not obstructed, while requiring hospitals to develop and staff training on protocols for such emergency conditions.