An Act ensuring safe patient access to emergency care: This bill was filed with the support of Peter DeMarco, who tragically lost his wife Laura Levis after she attempted to enter the Somerville Hospital Emergency Department while experiencing an asthma attack, but was unable to access the building due to a number of safety failures. This bill would require DPH to draft regulations about safe access to emergency departments, by requiring that entrances are monitored at all times, and have clear signage, accessible wayfinding, and bright lighting. This bill would also require DPH to convene a working group to include stakeholders in the process of developing the adequate emergency department regulations. This bill would not go into effect until after the governor’s COVID-19 state of emergency has been lifted. More information about this story and this bill, click here.
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