New Jersey Assembly Bill A3268

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Requires urgent care and retail health clinics to have defibrillator on site and employees trained to use defibrillator.

Impact

The enactment of A3268 will lead to significant changes in the operational protocols of urgent care and retail health clinics throughout New Jersey. Clinics will need to allocate resources for purchasing AEDs, conducting regular maintenance checks on the devices, and ensuring compliance with specific training requirements for their employees. The law emphasizes that at least one trained individual must be present on-site during business hours, reinforcing the commitment to emergency preparedness within these healthcare environments.

Summary

A3268 is a legislative bill introduced in New Jersey that mandates all urgent care and retail health clinics to have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on site and ensure that their employees are trained in its use. This requirement aims to enhance patient safety by ensuring that potentially life-saving equipment is readily available to respond to cardiac emergencies. The bill stipulates that clinics must acquire and maintain at least one AED, which should be stored in a location within the facility that is known to staff members.

Contention

While A3268 is primarily aimed at improving patient outcomes in emergency situations, there may be concerns regarding the financial impact on smaller clinics that might struggle to manage the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining AEDs and providing adequate training. Critics may argue that while the intentions behind the bill are commendable, the resultant financial burden could detract from the clinics' operational capacities and affect their ability to deliver care effectively.

Additional_notes

Overall, A3268 reflects a proactive approach to public health and safety legislation in New Jersey, with an emphasis on ensuring that urgent care facilities are equipped to handle acute medical emergencies swiftly. This trend aligns with a growing recognition of the importance of emergency preparedness in healthcare settings.