Utah lawmakers to draft bill outlining when police can draw blood from patients

The Utah Legislature's Judiciary Interim Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to draft a bill outlining when a police officer may be permitted to draw blood from a patient without consent, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

The move follows the Aug. 31 release of bodycam footage showing the forcible arrest of Alex Wubbels, RN, at University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City in July. Ms. Wubbels was arrested for enforcing hospital policy preventing blood draws from unconscious patients without consent.

Republican state Senator Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, said consent for blood draws has become both a state and national issue since the video's release.

"It['s] important for us to show the public that when there is a high-profile incident like this that really outraged a lot of people, including myself, that we're addressing that," Mr. Weiler told The Salt Lake Tribune.

The legislative committee hopes to have a draft of the bill completed in November in preparation for the legislative session, which begins January 2018.

More articles on legal issues: 
Florida shutters nursing home after finding staff later edited overheated patients' medical records to reflect safe vitals 
Federal appeals court: San Francisco sugary drink warnings likely violate freedom of speech 
Former Las Vegas hospital CEO's second theft trial barred by double jeopardy

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars