What's happening
This bill requires hospitals to notify incoming patients about recent hospital-acquired infections through daily updated, clearly posted signs.
Why it matters
Increases transparency for patients. By requiring hospitals to publicly post and update daily information on recent hospital-acquired infections, patients and their families will have timely data on potential risks before and during hospital stays.
Empowers patient decision-making. Patients can use this information to make more informed choices about their care, potentially influencing decisions like where to receive treatment or what precautions to request.
Creates accountability and incentives for hospitals. Because infection data will be plainly visible to incoming patients, hospitals may face stronger public and reputational pressure to improve infection control practices and reduce preventable infections.
Establishes enforcement mechanisms. The law directs the Department of Health to set penalties for non-compliance, meaning hospitals must take these disclosure requirements seriously or face consequences.
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Notify Patients About Hospital Infections
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Notify Patients of Hospital Infections
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Michael Cusick
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6193
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
May 11, 2017
Introduced by Sen. LANZA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to notifying hospital patients upon intake of reports of hospital-acquired infections
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 2819 of the public health law is amended by adding a new subdivision 6-a to read as follows:
6-a. No later than one hundred eighty days after the issuance of the reports required pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (c) of subdivision five of this section, each general hospital shall be required to notify patients as a component of prebooking, intake and registration of the hospital-acquired infections, that would be required to be reported to the department pursuant to this section, that occurred in the hospital for the prior thirty day period. Such notification shall be updated on a daily basis and shall be accomplished through the conspicuous posting of signs, which are easily understandable by the general public, and shall include directions on how to obtain additional information. To the degree practicable, the format of such signs shall be consistent with the format of the summary table required to be developed pursuant to subdivision six of this section. Upon request the hospital shall provide a patient with an individual copy of the information contained on such sign. The department through regulation shall establish penalties applicable to the first and subsequent violations of the requirement imposed by this subdivision.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11567-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to notifying hospital patients upon intake of reports of hospital-acquired infections
Purpose
Provides for notification to hospital patients upon intake of reports of hospital-acquired infections.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends section 2819 of the public health law by adding a new subdivision 6-a to mandate that no later than one hundred eighty days after the issuance of the reports required pursuant to subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (c) of subdivision five of this section, each general hospital shall be required to notify patients as a component of pre- booking, intake and registration of the hospital-acquired infections, that would be required to be reported to the department pursuant to this section, that occurred in the hospital for the prior thirty day period. Such notification shall be updated on a daily basis and shall be accom- plished through the conspicuous posting of signs, which are easily understandable by the general public.
Section two requires that this act shall take effect immediately.
Justification
While great strides have been made toward ensuring the safety of patients in New York State, further steps must be taken to guarantee that patients treated in hospitals are protected. By requiring the notification to patients upon intake of reports of hospital-acquired infections, and updating notifications daily, it increases the standards for improved public protection. A Public Health Report released in April of 2007 found that there is an estimated 4.5 hospital infections for every 100 patient admissions and nearly 100,000 deaths from hospital infection. It has been found that hospital-acquired infections remain highly prevalent because health care facilities have not taken a proac- tive approach to the issue. According to American Journal of Infection Control, treating hospital-acquired infections can cost as much as $4.2 billion annually, which is an amount far greater than the long-term cost of prevention strategies.
Legislative history
2017: S.6193- Referred to Health/ - A.8224 Referred to Health 2016: S.4572- Referred to Health 2015: S.4572- Referred to Health 2014: S.2143- Referred to Health/ A.4960 - Referred to Health 2013: S.2143- Referred to Health/ A.4960 - Referred to Health 2012: S.5283- Referred to Health/ A.2052 - Referred to Health 2011: S.5283- Referred to Health/ A.2052 - Referred to Health 2010: S.496- Referred to Health/ A.2987 - Referred to Health 2009: S.496- Referred to Health/ A.2987 - Referred to Health 2008: S.6187- Referred to Rules/ A.10376 - Referred to Health 2007: S.6187 - Referred to Rules.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.