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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to deeming central venous lines as medically necessary
Purpose
To ensure as part of discharge planning for transplant patients, with a central venous line, the designated caregiver shall be consulted on his or her capabilities and limitations in administering medications and providing proper central venous line care.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 is the short title and citation of this act as "Dream's Law," which amends the public health law by adding a new section 2827 which requires as part of discharge planning for transplant patients, with a central venous line, the designated caregiver shall be consulted as soon as possible, but not later than 24 hours prior to discharge, regarding his or her capabilities and limitations in administering medications and providing proper central venous line care.
Read the full memo (668 words)
In the event that the designated caregiver is unable or unwilling to confidently carry out these duties, the attending physician shall deem it medically necessary for the patient to have a trained and appropriate medical professional provide the care for the entirety of the administration of the central venous line.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Dream Shepherd is an 11-year-old girl who has courageously battled Sickle Cell Disease and who suffered a stroke in 2010 at the age of five.
In December 2014, as part of a study, Dream received a stem cell transplant as part of her treatment plan and fight against Sickle Cell Disease. After the transplant she remained in the hospital for several months, while Doctors worked to stabilize her immune system, which was crucial to her discharge and transplant success. Additionally while in the hospital Dream had a Central Venous Line placed into her heart. The Central Venous Line has strict care requirements. In New York State Health Facilities only Registered Nurses are legally allowed to administer I.V. medications with use of a Central Venous Line; which have to be properly managed to ensure that Dream, and other's with a Central Line, do not acquire infections, especially if immuno-compromised. This central line goes directly into the right atrium of the heart, and requires immediate action should there be a disconnection for any reason as a patient with this type of line can exsanguinate should this go unmonitored or unnoticed.
In addition to the high risk of infections, other complications of Central Venous Lines include Air Embolism, Pneumothorax, Pinch-off, Syndrome, Drug Precipitates, Thrombosis, Catheter Occlusion, Catheter Malposition, and Sepsis a severe blood infection caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Sepsis is extremely serious and can be life-threatening.
Due to the high potential for dangerous infections, as part of discharge planning, Dream's mother, who is not a medical professional, made a request for a skilled private duty nurse to care for Dream's central venous line. This request was denied by the insurance company as it was "not deemed medically necessary." Due to this rejection by the insurance company, the hospital informed Dream's mother, that she was required to provide the necessary care to Dream's central venous line. Not ensuring that Dream would have the correct and proper skilled nurse to provide the care after discharge which could have caused irreparable harm, including the worst outcome. Attempting to force the mother to provide the care would have required her to lose her job and source of income, along with saddling her with the anxiety of overseeing the medical attention that if not done properly, could lead to the loss of her daughter's life. That is a position no family member or friend should ever be in.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.