Overview
- Rep. Robin Kelly said she will introduce the WELLS Act after Thanksgiving, requiring a Safe Discharge Labor Plan for any patient presenting with signs of labor.
- The plan would include clinical justification for discharge, assessment of travel distance and time, and documentation that the patient understands the instructions.
- The legislation would apply to hospitals and other birthing sites, and it calls for racial-bias training for healthcare professionals.
- Mercedes Wells, who gave birth in her truck eight minutes after leaving Franciscan Health Crown Point, was later hospitalized for post-birth pain and hemorrhaging and is receiving care at Community Hospital in Munster, according to her family.
- Franciscan Health Crown Point fired the doctor and nurse involved, apologized, and implemented new policies requiring physician exams before discharge and cultural competency training for labor-and-delivery staff.