SB 866 - This act modifies laws regarding hospital patient safety. Under the act, each hospital is required to establish a patient safety committee by January 1, 2011, to design and recommend the process for implementing a safe patient handling program, which shall be implemented by July 1, 2011. The program shall establish a safe handling policy for all shifts and units, conduct a patient handling hazard assessment and consider incorporating patient handling equipment in future hospital models. By January 1, 2014, each hospital shall acquire its choice of a specified minimum of patient lifting equipment and shall train staff on policies, equipment and devices at least annually. Each hospital shall also develop procedures for employees to refuse to perform or be involved in patient handling or movement that will expose the patient or employee to an unacceptable risk of injury.
The Division of Workers' Compensation shall develop rules by January 1, 2012, to provide a reduced workers' compensation premium for hospitals that implement a safe patient handling program and submit a report of the result of the reduced premiums to the General Assembly by December 1, 2015 and December 1, 2017.
These act is substantially similar to HB 401 (2009).
ADRIANE CROUSE