Bill > S0958

This bill allows hospitals in South Carolina to use patient beds in hallways, corridors, and other means of egress, which are areas meant for exiting a building, during a "justified emergency" if the on-site emergency physician deems it necessary and documents specific conditions, such as the exhaustion of all other treatment space and a threat to patient health and safety. A "justified emergency" is broadly defined to include declared states of emergency, disasters, accidents, certain violent events, disease outbreaks, or when an emergency department is overwhelmed with patients. Hospitals must maintain clear pathways in these areas even during an emergency and remove beds from hallways when not in use for patient care during such events. The bill also requires hospitals to develop safety protocols for these emergency situations.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0958&session=126&summary=B