The Indiana Association of Pathologists (IAP) and the CAP prevented an overly burdensome requirement over blood draw retentions from becoming law.
Why it matters: The IAP and CAP partnered to amend a bill that would have required retention of all first-draw blood specimens for up to 30 days.
- The IAP’s testimony on February 11 to amend the bill highlighted logistical challenges and potential complications.
The big picture: Following the IAP testimony, the bill was successfully amended to limit the criteria for retention and to establish any blood retention requirement based on a hospital-based protocol.
- The protocol requires specific notification on lab orders for patients admitted to the emergency room and treated for suspicious or violent circumstances, accidental injuries, or overdoses.
- The retention time frame is now the earlier of patient discharge, death, or a maximum of 21 days.
On May 6, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed HB 1194 into law.