Need a scorecard to know latest state laws

Need a scorecard to know latest state laws

More reporting to CDC network, ICP inclusion

According to the rapidly changing map on the web site of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), as this issue went to press, 14 states had adopted laws requiring mandatory reporting of hospital infection rates and many others are in some stage of legislative study or discussion. According to APIC, the most recently passed legislation includes:

• Colorado: HB 06-1045 was signed into law on June 2, 2006. This law requires health facilities to collect data on infection rates for: 1) cardiac surgical-site infections; 2) orthopedic surgical-site infections; and 3) central line related bloodstream infections. This law also requires individuals collecting health care-associated infection (HAI) data to be certified if in a facility with 51 or more beds. Facilities will report the infection data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). Data will be collected annually beginning July 31, 2007.
• Connecticut: Public Act 06-142 creates an 11-member Committee on Healthcare Associated Infections responsible for developing, operating, and monitoring a mandatory reporting system for health care-associated infections. The committee will provide a report to the state department of public health by Oct. 1, 2007, detailing the appropriate standardized measures, reporting measures, and processes designed to prevent health care-associated infections. The first annual report will be made public on Oct. 1, 2008.
• New Hampshire: HB 1741 was signed into law on June 15, 2006. Effective July 1, 2007, the law requires hospitals to report on infections to the department of health and human services. The commissioner of the department of health and human services is required to establish a statewide database for the purposes of public reporting. Infections to be reported will include: central line-related bloodstream infections; ventilator associated pneumonia; and surgical wound infections. Hospitals also will initially identify, track, and report process measures including: adherence rates of central line insertion practices; surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis; and coverage rates of influenza vaccination for health care personnel and patients/residents. The commissioner will determine frequency of reporting and other infections as needed based on consultation with experts in infection prevention and control.
• South Carolina: Chapter 7, Title 44, Article 20 (R #0335) was signed into law on May 31, 2006. It requires the Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) to establish a system for compiling infection data from various medical facilities and to coordinate the activities of an advisory committee. Medical facilities will report on: 1) surgical site infections; 2) ventilator-associated pneumonia; 3) central line-related bloodstream infections; and 4) other categories as decided by the DHEC in consultation with the committee. Reports will be made every six months and begin on Feb. 1, 2008.
• Tennessee: SB 2978 was signed into law on June 20, 2006. Companion bill HB 3067 and SB 2978 were introduced in February. An amendment was offered by the task force created in 2005 to study health care-associated infections. This bill will require reporting from facilities with at least 25 beds on central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units and surgical site infections for coronary artery bypass grafts. These reports will be made to NHSN, and the law is effective immediately.
• Vermont: H.0881 was signed into law on May 31, 2006. The law requires developing methods for reporting of hospital-acquired infections that are valid, reliable, and useful, including comparisons to appropriate industry benchmarks. The health commissioner, along with representatives from the public oversight commission, hospitals, other groups of health care professionals, and members of the public representing patient interests will develop the reporting system.