Infection control legislation in California, passed in 2006 and 2008 by lawmakers, have not yet led to real improvements, and some of the infection control regulations have not yet even materialized, according to a Sacramento Bee news report.
The state Department of Public Health says lack of funding and resources has made it hard to follow through with many of the rules under the regulation, while critics of the legislation say hospitals "have too much control" over the department's infection control program, according to the news report.
Among some of the legislation that has failed to materialize are the following:
· The state department has yet to create enforcement rules for the 2006 and 2008 legislation, and they are not expected to be released for another 18-24 months.
· Under the 2006 legislation, hospitals are required to establish infection control programs and report. However, the department did not create surveys that determine whether hospitals met that requirement until 2010.
· Under the 2008 legislation, hospitals must publicly report quality data. The department's first release of its collection of data five months ago was "so flawed" that the department's director warned consumers not to use the data.
Howard Backer, MD, the interim director of the state department, released a statement, saying, "The Department's Healthcare Associated Infections program has made significant progress in implementing California's broad public reporting requirements, which are the most stringent in the nation."
The department had decided to throw out two years of surgical data without publishing it, but that decision was overturned. The California Hospital Association then went to a Supreme Court judge to temporarily block the surgical reporting requirement, citing lack of guidance for hospitals and department hearings. The Supreme Court judge has set a court date of June 22 to hear arguments, according to the news report.
Read the news report about infection control laws in California.
Related Articles on Patient Safety Legislation:
Montana Patient Safety Act Awaits Governor's Signature
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The state Department of Public Health says lack of funding and resources has made it hard to follow through with many of the rules under the regulation, while critics of the legislation say hospitals "have too much control" over the department's infection control program, according to the news report.
Among some of the legislation that has failed to materialize are the following:
· The state department has yet to create enforcement rules for the 2006 and 2008 legislation, and they are not expected to be released for another 18-24 months.
· Under the 2006 legislation, hospitals are required to establish infection control programs and report. However, the department did not create surveys that determine whether hospitals met that requirement until 2010.
· Under the 2008 legislation, hospitals must publicly report quality data. The department's first release of its collection of data five months ago was "so flawed" that the department's director warned consumers not to use the data.
Howard Backer, MD, the interim director of the state department, released a statement, saying, "The Department's Healthcare Associated Infections program has made significant progress in implementing California's broad public reporting requirements, which are the most stringent in the nation."
The department had decided to throw out two years of surgical data without publishing it, but that decision was overturned. The California Hospital Association then went to a Supreme Court judge to temporarily block the surgical reporting requirement, citing lack of guidance for hospitals and department hearings. The Supreme Court judge has set a court date of June 22 to hear arguments, according to the news report.
Read the news report about infection control laws in California.
Related Articles on Patient Safety Legislation:
Montana Patient Safety Act Awaits Governor's Signature
Five Nevada Hospital Infection Bills Likely to Move Forward
NJAASC Issues Statement in Response to Report of Violations by Surgery Centers