Law Summary
Definitions Governing the Act
- Emergency: A medical condition where immediate danger exists and delay may cause death or permanent disability, as assessed by a prudent medical officer.
- Serious Case: A grave condition which, if left unattended, may cause death or permanent disability, based on objective medical findings.
- Confinement: Admission to a hospital or clinic for observation, diagnosis, testing, and treatment within the facility’s capabilities.
- Hospital: Facility devoted to diagnosis, treatment, and care of illnesses or injuries, including institutions for prolonged patient care.
- Emergency Treatment and Support: Medical or surgical measures within hospital or clinic capabilities aimed at preventing death or permanent disability.
- Medical Clinic: A place providing outpatient medical consultation or treatment.
- Permanent Disability: Physical disability as defined under specific provisions of the Labor Code of the Philippines.
- Stabilize: Providing necessary care to ensure patient’s condition does not deteriorate during discharge or transfer.
Procedure and Conditions on Patient Transfer
- Hospitals or clinics must first administer emergency treatment and support to stabilize the patient before transferring.
- Transfers should be made to appropriate hospitals consistent with patient needs, preferably government hospitals for poor or indigent patients.
Penalties and Liability
- Individuals who violate the law face imprisonment from 6 months and 1 day up to 2 years and 4 months, or fines of ₱20,000 to ₱100,000, or both.
- If violations are due to hospital management policy or instruction, responsible directors or officers face imprisonment of 4 to 6 years, or fines of ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, or both.
Repeal and Amendment of Previous Law
- Section 3 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 is repealed.
- Section 4 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 702 is renumbered as Section 5 and amended to require the Department of Health to issue implementing rules and regulations.
Implementation and Effectivity
- The Department of Health is mandated to promulgate rules and regulations to enforce this Act.
- The Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in two national newspapers of general circulation.