Governor Signs Bill On Hospital-Acquired Infections
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-10-25 18:36:34.092608-04:00
Governor Jon Corzine's signed a landmark infections reporting bill Oct. 26 in Hamilton. The legislation requires individual hospitals to report their rates of infection to the public.
"This bill will save lives," said AARP New Jersey State President Sy Larson. "Transparency and information mean more accountability, fewer infections and better health when patients leave the hospital."
Across the country, more than 99,000 people died from hospital infections--more than the population of Hamilton. The bill is part of growing state and national recognition of the danger of hospital-acquired infections. New Jersey is the 20th state to enact public reporting legislation.
Senators Joe Vitale and Barbara Buono, along with Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, were instrumental in the passage of the bill.
"New Jersey's healthcare consumers need to know which hospitals and health care facilities are doing their part to prevent health care-related infections, and which can do more," said Senator Vitale. "This legislation is the first step in ensuring safer hospital stays for New Jersey's patients, and will cut down on the costs associated with treating preventable infections in our health care facilities. It will further educate health care consumers, and bring the power of the competitive marketplace to ensure greater safeguards against hospital-based infections."
"By reporting and analyzing hospital infection rates we will be able to develop measures that will enhance the quality of patient care," said Senator Buono. "Transparency is the key to ensuring that appropriate infection-control processes are being implemented."
Federal health officials estimate that one in 20 patients picks up an infection while hospitalized. These infections can stall recovery, prolong hospital stays, and even require invasive surgeries.
"Patients have a basic right to know if a local hospital is an infections hotspot," Assemblywoman Greenstein said. "No one should fear that a trip to the hospital could lead to a life-threatening illness. The secrecy surrounding hospital infection rates is a disservice to consumers and is harmful to the reputation of our nationally renowned health care system."
"The AARP is to be applauded for its tireless commitment to the priorities of New Jersey consumers," Greenstein continued. "The Public Right to Know bill on hospital infection rates would not have become law without their efforts."Infections often can be prevented through common-sense, higher standards of infection control practices such as more frequent hand-washing.
"Publicizing this information will encourage hospitals to remain vigilant with their health and safety procedures, and it will allow patients to make more informed health care decisions," said Assemblyman Moriarty. "For that reason, a hospital's infection rate is vital consumer information that deserves to be made publicly available."
AARP is prioritizing improvements in health care quality. The reporting bill signed today follows the signing of legislation that requires screening of all ICU patients for one dangerous infection known as MRSA. The New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute aided in the passage of both laws.
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