Bill > S0958

This bill amends the South Carolina Code of Laws to allow hospitals to use patient beds in hallways, corridors, and other means of egress during a "justified emergency," which is defined as a declared state of emergency, natural or manmade disaster, mass transit or industrial accident, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear event, acts of violence resulting in injuries, acute outbreaks of contagious disease, or when an emergency department is overwhelmed with patients. This decision rests with the on-site emergency physician, who must document that all other treatment space is exhausted and patient safety is jeopardized. Hospitals must maintain clear pathways in these areas during such emergencies and remove any hallway beds when the emergency concludes, while also developing written protocols for these situations.