Bill Text: PA SB657 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requiring certain staffing levels at health care facilities providing renal dialysis services; and providing for powers and duties of the Department of Health.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-20 - Referred to PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE [SB657 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-SB657-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 721
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 657 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY LOGAN, TARTAGLIONE, KITCHEN, FONTANA, STACK, RAFFERTY AND MUSTO, MARCH 20, 2009
REFERRED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE, MARCH 20, 2009
AN ACT
Requiring certain staffing levels at health care facilities
providing renal dialysis services; and providing for powers
and duties of the Department of Health.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Dialysis
Services Staffing Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Dialysis." A process by which dissolved substances are
removed from a patient's body by diffusion from one fluid
compartment to another across a semipermeable membrane.
"End-stage renal disease" or "ESRD." That stage of renal
impairment that appears irreversible and permanent and requires
a regular course of dialysis or kidney transplantation to
maintain life.
"ESRD facility." A health care facility which is approved to
furnish a type of end-stage renal disease service.
"Health care facility." As defined in section 802.1 of the
act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care
Facilities Act.
Section 3. Staffing requirements.
(a) General rule.--An ESRD facility must have properly
trained personnel present in adequate number to meet the medical
and nonmedical needs of patients receiving dialysis.
(b) Staff.--Whenever a patient is receiving dialysis, the
ESRD facility shall provide the following staff:
(1) Two licensed health care professionals, including
one full-time registered nurse licensed in Pennsylvania and
one health care professional experienced in rendering care
for renal dialysis patient care.
(2) An adequate number of personnel such that
patient/staff ratio is appropriate to the level of dialysis
care being given to meet the needs of the patient.
(3) A licensed physician who is onsite or on call.
Section 4. Administration and enforcement.
(a) Administration.--The department shall develop and
implement procedures as may be necessary and appropriate in
order to obtain compliance with this act. The procedures shall
include, but not be limited to, monitoring and inspection
procedures.
(b) Enforcement.--The department may suspend or revoke the
license of a health care facility for a violation of this act in
accordance with the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known
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as the Health Care Facilities Act.
Section 5. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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