08 LC 33
2303
House
Bill 1032
By:
Representatives Hembree of the
67th,
Wilkinson of the
52nd,
Rogers of the
26th,
Lunsford of the
110th,
and Millar of the
79th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the regulation and construction of hospitals and other
health care facilities, so as to require each hospital in this state to have at
least one functional automated external defibrillator on site at all times for
use during emergencies; to define a term; to provide for requirements on use of
defibrillators; to provide for penalties; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the regulation and construction of hospitals and other health care
facilities, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as
follows:
"31-7-17.
(a)
As used in this Code section, the term 'automated external defibrillator' means
a defibrillator which:
(1)
Is capable of cardiac rhythm analysis;
(2)
Will charge and be capable of being activated to deliver a countershock after
electrically detecting the presence of certain cardiac dysrhythmias;
and
(3)
Is capable of continuously recording cardiac dysrhythmia at the scene with a
mechanism for transfer and storage or for printing for review subsequent to
use.
(b)
No later than July 1, 2008, each hospital in this state licensed under this
article shall have at least one functional automated external defibrillator on
site at all times for use during emergencies. The automated external
defibrillator shall be placed in an easily accessible location in the intensive
care unit or other appropriate location. In order to ensure public health and
safety, it is recommended that all persons who have access to or use an
automated external defibrillator obtain appropriate training as set forth in the
Rules and Regulations of the Department of Human Resources Chapter 290-5-30. It
is further recommended that such training include at a minimum the successful
completion of:
(1)
A nationally recognized health care provider/professional rescuer level
cardiopulmonary resuscitation course; and
(2)
A department established or approved course which includes demonstrated
proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator.
(c)
All persons who provide instruction to others in the use of the automated
external defibrillator shall have completed an instructor course established or
approved by the department.
(d)
No hospital staff persons shall be authorized to use an automated external
defibrillator to defibrillate a person unless that automated external
defibrillator is properly maintained and that individual:
(1)
Successfully completes an automated external defibrillator training program
established or approved by the department; and
(2)
Obtains a passing score on an annual automated external defibrillator
proficiency exam given in connection with that program.
(e)
Any hospital staff person who violates the provisions of this Code section shall
be subject to having revoked by the department that person´s authority to
use an automated external defibrillator. Such a violation shall also be grounds
for the appropriate regulatory board, if applicable, to take disciplinary action
against such person, including but not limited to suspension or revocation of
that individual´s license or certificate. Such a violation shall also be
grounds for the employer of such hospital staff person to impose any sanction
available thereto, including but not limited to dismissal."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.