ID-ing physicians

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The law involves doctors known as residents. Often, residents have completed medical school and an internship and are working toward achieving specialization.

The measure, known as the Lewis Blackman Hospital Safety Act, is named for a 16-year-old boy who died in 2000 after bleeding internally over a 30-hour period at the Medical University of South Carolina. Resident doctors missed repeated signs of trouble.

The boy's mother, Helen Haskell, tried unsuccessfully for three years to get the Legislature to approve the bill. She finally found success when she hired two politically connected lobbyists for $20,000.

That's a sad commentary on how things get done in Columbia. It's unfortunate that lawmakers apparently were reluctant to approve the bill based on its intrinsic worth, but at least it has been approved.

Gov. Mark Sanford let the bill become law without his signature, deeming it over-regulation. But the ID tag should be seen as part of a philosophy of openness that reduces medical errors and empowers people to make informed choices about their health care.