S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-16.1214

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 61-16.1214 - Emergency Services

A. No person, regardless of his ability to pay or county of residence, may be denied emergency care if a member of the admitting hospital's medical staff or, in the case of a transfer, a member of the accepting hospital's medical staff determines that the person is in need of emergency care.

1. If a patient presents in labor, she should be delivered in the hospital to which she has come if appropriate delivery facilities exist, If she is a "high risk" patient or an adverse outcome is expected for the baby if delivered there, e.g., less than 34 weeks gestation, she should be transported to a hospital with appropriate capabilities unless delivery is imminent or unless the hospital has such capabilities.

2. Hospitals that do not offer Obstetrical services shall have readily available in the emergency department a precipitous delivery kit, to include at a minimum: bulb suction syringe, cord clamp, scissors, sterile towels, and emergency telephone numbers for the appropriate Regional Perinatal Center.

3. If the care required for any patient is not available at the facility, arrangements must be made for transfer to a more appropriate facility. Prior to the transfer of a patient to another hospital, the receiving hospital shall be notified of the impending transfer.

4. In addition to or in lieu of any action taken by the Department affecting the license of any hospital, when it is established that any officer, employee, or member of the hospital medical staff has negligently violated the provisions of this section, the Department may require the hospital to pay a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. Section 44-7-260(E) (1976, as amended).

B. Each hospital shall provide emergency services which include life-saving procedures when life is in jeopardy. Policies and procedures governing the acceptance and care of emergency patients shall be established. An appropriate record shall be maintained on each person who presents for emergency services.

1. Equipment and services shall be provided to render emergency resuscitative and life-support procedures pending transfer of the critically ill or injured to other hospitals. A minimum capacity shall be established and equipment provided to perform stabilization procedures.

2. Basic services, such as radiology or routine laboratory services shall be maintained and personnel available for call.

3. A licensed physician shall be available and on call at all times. A registered nurse and ancillary personnel trained in emergency procedures shall be on duty within the hospital who are available 24 hours a day subject to call to assist in providing emergency services.

C. A poison control chart shall be readily available in the emergency room with communications access to a Poison Control Center for consultation.

D. The emergency service entrance shall be separated from the main entrance, well marked and illuminated, easily accessible from the street and sufficiently covered or enclosed to protect ambulance patients from the elements during the unloading process.

E. Space for stretchers and wheelchairs should be accessible to the facility and the facility should have the appropriate equipment to transport patients. Stretchers should be sufficiently sturdy to serve as examining tables.

F. In those instances wherein a specific hospital has been designated to provide emergency services for a political or other subdivision through mutual planning efforts of all the hospitals located in this subdivision, or otherwise determined, such designation obviates the necessity for the remaining hospitals to provide general emergency services.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-16.1214

Replaced and amended by State Register Volume 38, Issue No. 6, eff 6/27/2014.