May 29, 2012, Introduced by Rep. Walsh and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
A bill to amend 1961 PA 236, entitled
"Revised judicature act of 1961,"
(MCL 600.101 to 600.9947) by adding section 2912i.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 2912i. (1) A licensed health care professional or a
licensed health facility or agency is not liable in an action based
on medical malpractice arising out of the provision of emergency
medical care in an emergency department or obstetrical unit located
in and operated by a hospital, or in a surgical operating room,
cardiac catheterization laboratory, or radiology department
immediately following the evaluation or treatment of the patient in
an emergency department, unless the plaintiff proves by clear and
convincing evidence that the licensed health care professional's
actions constituted gross negligence.
(2) In an action described in subsection (1), the court shall
instruct the jury to consider, in addition to all other relevant
matters, all of the following:
(a) Whether the person providing care had the patient's full
medical history, including knowledge of preexisting medical
conditions, allergies, and medications.
(b) Whether there was a preexisting licensed health care
professional-patient relationship.
(c) The circumstances that constituted the emergency.
(d) The circumstances surrounding the delivery of the
emergency medical care.
(3) As used in this section:
(a) "Emergency medical care" means bona fide emergency
services provided after the onset of a medical or traumatic
condition that is manifested by acute symptoms, including, but not
limited to, pain, of sufficient severity that a failure to provide
immediate medical attention could reasonably be expected to result
in serious jeopardy to the patient's health, serious impairment to
bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of a bodily organ or part.
Emergency medical care does not include medical care provided after
the patient is stabilized and capable of receiving medical care as
a nonemergency patient or care that is unrelated to the original
medical emergency.
(b) "Hospital" means that term as defined in section 20106 of
the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.20106.
(c) "Licensed health facility or agency" and "licensed health
care professional" mean those terms as defined in section 5838a.