Committee adopts amendment and advances SB 68 requiring pediatric policies in hospital emergency departments

Senate Bill 68, explained by Senator Harrell, would require all hospitals with emergency departments to implement evidence-based policies and procedures for pediatric emergency care, ensure availability of pediatric-specific equipment, train staff, designate a physician, nurse, or paramedic as the pediatric lead and care coordinator, and conduct the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment.

Senator Harrell said many general hospital emergency departments treat children and that insufficient pediatric preparedness has contributed to preventable deaths. The committee adopted an amendment to align reporting dates with a House bill and then voted to report the CS for SB 68 favorably. Clay Meenan of the Florida Hospital Association was recorded in support of the bill.

If enacted, the bill would require AHCA to adopt minimum pediatric-care standards and publish assessment results, and hospitals would need to add pediatric components to their comprehensive emergency plans.