Governor Signs Legislation Requiring Disclosure Of Hospital Acquired Infection Rates

HAMILTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today signed legislation requiring New Jersey hospitals to report statistics on all hospital acquired infections to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). This marks the first time the state will have a comprehensive, detailed system of reporting for hospital acquired infections, enabling hospitals to develop protocols to combat this problem.

“I am proud to sign this legislation, which will put the spotlight on this scourge of deadly infections,” Governor Corzine said. “This will help hospitals put procedures in place to prevent these infections and give family-members access to information they need to make informed decisions about the care of their loved ones.”

The legislation requires New Jersey hospitals to report to DHSS on hospital-acquired infections rates and on steps the hospitals are taking to control such infections. It also requires the department to make that information available on its website to allow consumers to compare rates across hospitals.

“There is always a risk of infection when receiving treatment at a hospital, even in New Jersey’s best facilities,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex and sponsor of the legislation. “Not only will we empower consumers with information regarding the infection rates at various hospitals so that they can make the best decisions regarding their health care, hospitals will meet established standards of care thus dramatically lowering these rates.

Every day, patients are at risk of various and serious hospital acquired infections.  This new policy will literally save lives.”

“Patients have a basic right to know if a local hospital is an infectious hotspot,” said Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex, Mercer).  “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.”

 “Enhancing the public’s access to infection rates will further motivate hospitals to enhance their own efforts to combat infections,” said Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester, Camden), another Assembly sponsor. “Ensuring the timely and accurate public reporting of infection rates can be a win-win for hospitals and consumers.”

This bill, S-147/A-4328, was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Connors (R-Atlantic, Burlington, Ocean), Bucco (R-Morris), and McNamara (R-Bergen, Essex, Passaic). It was also sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblymembers Voss (D-Bergen), Gordon (D-Bergen), Vas (D-Middlesex), Diegnan (D-Middlesex),  and Van Drew (D-Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland).

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Photos and audio and video clips from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/