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EDMUND G. BROWN JR.
Governor

Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Public Health


AFL 15-24
December 7, 2015


TO:
Acute Psychiatric Hospitals (APHs)
General Acute Care Hospitals (GACHs) Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Special Hospitals

SUBJECT:
Assembly Bill (AB) 444: Epidural and Enteral Feeding Connectors


​AUTHORITY:      Health and Safety Code section 1279.7


All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary

This AFL notifies facilities of the extension of the implementation dates by which hospitals and SNFs are prohibited from using epidural and enteral feeding connectors that would fit into a connector other than the type for which it was intended.

​AB 444 (Chapter 198, Statutes of 2015) extends, to July 1, 2016, the implementation date by which hospitals and SNFs are prohibited from using enteral feeding connectors that would fit into a connector other than the type for which it was intended, unless an emergency or urgent situation exists and the prohibition would impair the ability to provide health care.

AB 444 also extends, to January 1, 2017, the implementation date prohibiting hospitals and SNFs from using an epidural connector that would fit into a connector other than the type for which it was intended, unless an emergency or urgent situation exists and the prohibition would impair the ability to provide health care.

The information in this AFL is a brief summary of the changes that AB 444 makes to the Health and Safety Code. Facilities are responsible for following all applicable laws. The California Department of Public Health’s failure to expressly notify facilities of statutory or regulatory requirements does not relieve facilities of their responsibility for following all laws and regulations. Facilities should refer to the full text of all applicable sections of the Health and Safety Code.

If you have any questions regarding this AFL, please contact your respective district office.

 

Sincerely,

Original signed by Jean Iacino

Jean Iacino
Deputy Director

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