The state Department of Public Health recently released the new “surge capacity guidelines.” The 1,900 page document lays out a plan for local and county health departments, hospitals, and emergency responders in an event of a state of emergency.
The plan outlines which responsibilities and patient protections can be waived if the governor declares a state of emergency. Hospitals will not have to report births, deaths, infectious disease outbreaks, medication errors, and suspected child or elder abuse. Rules that protect patients' privacy can also be ignored.
Most importantly, the plan focuses on rationing health care. Older, sicker patients could be allowed to die in order to save the lives of patients more likely to survive a massive disaster, bioterror attack or influenza pandemic in California. The plan is being hailed as a model for the rest of the country.
The $5 million plan was developed as part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 health care surge initiative. The $172 million effort included stocking up on millions of doses of antiviral medications, thousands of ventilators, mobile field hospitals and extra hospital beds.
Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/753359.html
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