S 0042 General Bill, By Short
 A BILL TO AMEND SECTIONS 44-61-120, 44-61-130 AND 44--61-330 TO REQUIRE THE
 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO INCLUDE GUIDELINES FOR THE
 ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE IN A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE PLAN; TO AUTHORIZE
 EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS TO POSSESS EPINEPHRINE; AND TO REQUIRE
 GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE TO A CHILD SUFFERING FROM A
 SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION.

   12/04/02  Senate Prefiled
   12/04/02  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs
   01/09/03         Scrivener's error corrected
   01/14/03  Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-38
   01/14/03  Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-38

TO AMEND SECTIONS 44-61-120, 44-61-130 AND 44--61-330 TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO INCLUDE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE IN A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE PLAN; TO AUTHORIZE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS TO POSSESS EPINEPHRINE; AND TO REQUIRE GUIDELINES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF EPINEPHRINE TO A CHILD SUFFERING FROM A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 44-61-120 for the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 44-61-120.    The Department shall develop a comprehensive statewide emergency medical services plan to implement and insure the delivery of adequate emergency medical services to every citizen. This plan is to include guidelines for the administration of epinephrine to a person suffering or believed to be suffering from anaphylaxis.

SECTION    2.    Section 44-61-130 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

Section 44-61-130.    A duly certified emergency medical technician may perform any function consistent with his certification, according to such rules and regulations as the board may prescribe.

Emergency Medical Technicians, trained to provide advanced life support and possessing current Department of Health and Environmental Control certification, are authorized to possess limited quantities of drugs, including epinephrine and controlled substances, as may be approved by the Department of Health and Environmental Control for administration to patients during the regular course of duties of such Emergency Medical Technicians, pursuant to the written or verbal order of a physician possessing a valid license to practice medicine within this State provided such physician is registered under the State and federal laws pertaining to controlled substances.

SECTION    3.    Section 44-61-330 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

Section 44-61-330.    (A) The EMSC Program shall include, but is not limited to, the establishment of:

(1) initial and continuing education programs for emergency medical services personnel that include training in the emergency care of infants and children;

(2) guidelines for referring children to the appropriate emergency treatment facility;

(3) pediatric equipment guidelines for pre-hospital care;

(4) guidelines for administering epinephrine to children suffering from a severe allergic reaction.

(5) (4) pediatric equipment guidelines for emergency departments;

(6) (5) guidelines for pediatric trauma centers;

(7) (6) an interhospital transfer system for critically ill or injured children;

(8) (7) in conjunction with the South Carolina Data Oversight Council, the collection and analysis of statewide pediatric emergency and critical care medical services data from emergency and critical care medical services for the purpose of quality improvement by these facilities and services, subject to the confidentiality requirements of Section 44-61-350;

(9) (8) injury prevention programs for parents;

(10) (9) public education programs on accessing the emergency medical services system and what to do until the emergency medical services personnel arrive.

(B) In gathering statewide pediatric emergency and critical care medical services data, the department shall rely upon, to the extent possible, data from existing sources; however, the department may contact families and physicians for the purpose of gathering additional data and providing information on available public and private resources. Information requested from a physician's office must be obtained pursuant to Chapter 115. Patient contact following data received from the State Budget and Control Board Office of Research and Statistics must be done in accordance with regulations approved by the South Carolina Data Oversight Council and promulgated by the Office of Research and Statistics."

SECTION    4.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.