iHealthBeat reports that Pennsylvania lawmakers recently approved legislation that will require hospitals and nursing homes in the state to report patient infections to state authorities.
The measure, part of the governor’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania” health care agenda, aims to reduce insurance premiums by cutting the number of infections patients contract through increased monitoring.
Hospitals and nursing homes would be required to report infections within 24 hours to state health authorities, and hospitals also would have to report infections to CDC’s National Health Safety Network.
Eight other states already require hospitals to report to the federal system. However, if the bill becomes law, Pennsylvania would become the first state to require nursing homes to report infections to state authorities.