This article is part of an investigation by KXAN called “Preventing Disaster,” which began on May 15, 2024. The investigation centers around a tragic car crash that occurred at an Austin hospital’s emergency room earlier in the year. The focus is on safety concerns related to this crash and others across the country, particularly regarding the presence of security barriers known as bollards at medical facility entrances. Experts believe that bollards could prevent such incidents from happening.
Following the fatal crash at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center in February, a Texas state senator, Royce West, is considering introducing a bill to enhance hospital safety. The senator expressed his commitment to addressing this issue and stated that discussions with hospitals are underway to find solutions.
In response to the crash, St. David’s North Austin Medical Center installed twelve bollards outside its emergency room. The accident, which took place nearly eight months ago, resulted in the death of a drunk driver and serious injuries to five individuals, including the Bernard family. Senator West conveyed his sympathies to the Bernard family and emphasized the need to prevent such tragedies from occurring again in Texas.
KXAN’s investigations uncovered over 300 similar crashes nationwide in the past decade, a statistic that Senator West found surprising and alarming. The lack of a requirement for medical facilities to have crash-rated security barriers like bollards is a significant concern, given the vulnerability of these sites due to distressed patients driving up to the entrance.
The Austin City Council is also addressing this issue by finalizing an ordinance that mandates the installation of crash-rated bollards at new hospitals, stand-alone emergency rooms, and urgent care clinics. Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly introduced a resolution in response to KXAN’s investigation, which is set for a vote on December 12. Additionally, Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s office initiated a bollard review at federal facilities in the southwest following KXAN’s reporting.
Senator West plans to decide on filing a bill for a uniform statewide bollard standard after consulting with hospital officials and researching measures implemented in other states. California’s updated law in 2022, which offers insurance discounts for businesses with bollards, serves as a potential model for Texas.
In light of tragic incidents at various locations in the past decade, the Storefront Safety Council has advocated for local ordinances requiring the installation of crash-rated protection devices like bollards in business parking lots. Senator West intends to meet with the Bernard family during the legislative session, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing life over financial considerations.
The efforts to enhance hospital safety through the implementation of bollards reflect a growing recognition of the need to prevent tragic incidents like the one at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. By prioritizing safety measures, lawmakers and officials aim to protect both patients and staff from potential harm.