What's happening
This bill requires general hospitals in New York to employ certified infection preventionists who meet specific qualifications and sets related hiring standards.
Why it matters
Aims to raise the expertise of hospital infection preventionists. , requiring certification or demonstrated recent experience, which could improve patient safety and reduce hospital-acquired infections.
Creates a clear, standardized pathway for infection preventionist roles. , mandating specific credentials or supervised training, and potentially making it easier for hospitals and regulators to ensure staff are properly qualified.
Provides flexibility for hospitals with staffing shortages. , allowing temporary hiring of non-certified infection preventionists if they are working toward certification and the hospital documents diligent efforts to recruit qualified staff.
Establishes accountability and verification systems. , requiring hospitals to confirm employment histories of infection preventionists, which may help prevent unqualified individuals from repeatedly moving between facilities.
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Headline styles
Require Certified Infection Preventionists
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 5186b
- Amend and recommit to health
- Referred to health
- Committed to rules
- Amended on third reading 5186a
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.762
- 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.
Require Certified Infection Preventionists
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5186--B
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
April 12, 2019
Introduced by Sens. METZGER, FUNKE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health -reported favorably from said committee, ordered to first and second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading -- recommitted to the Committee on Health in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to the employment of persons to function as infection preventionists in certain general hospitals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 2828 to read as follows:
§ 2828. Infection preventionists. 1. For the purposes of this section, the terms:
(a) "infection preventionist" shall mean a person designated by a general hospital to identify infectious disease processes, conduct surveillance and epidemiologic investigations, and develop plans to prevent and control the transmission of infectious agents within general hospitals.
(b) "professional" shall mean a person licensed or certified pursuant to title eight of the education law.
2. A person shall not function as an infection preventionist in a general hospital and a general hospital shall not employ or otherwise contract for the services of an infection preventionist unless such person meets one of the following:
(a) (i) has successfully passed an exam from a nationally accredited infection prevention and epidemiology accrediting organization; and (ii) holds and maintains certification in infection prevention and control
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01629-05-0
S. 5186--B 2
from a nationally accredited infection prevention and epidemiology certification organization; or
(b) provides evidence that such person was employed or otherwise contracted for the services as an infection preventionist in a general hospital for a cumulative period of one year, occurring within four years immediately prior to the effective date of this section. In furtherance of this paragraph, any contractor or employer of persons functioning as an infection preventionist on the effective date of this section shall confirm in writing to each employee or contractor his or her employment in a capacity functioning as an infection preventionist in a general hospital as of the effective date of this section; or
(c) is a student or intern performing the functions of an infection preventionist if such student or intern is under the direct supervision of an appropriately certified infection preventionist and is functioning within the scope of the student's or intern's training.
3. An infection preventionist who does not meet the requirements of paragraph (b) of subdivision two of this section shall have thirty-six months from the date of hire to obtain the infection preventionist credential outlined in paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section.
4. A general hospital may employ or otherwise contract with a person who does not meet the certification requirements required above to function as an infection preventionist in a general hospital if:
(a) after a diligent and thorough effort has been made, if such general hospital is unable to employ or contract with a sufficient number of qualified infection preventionists who meet the requirements of this section;
(b) such general hospital makes a written record of its efforts and retains such record at the general hospital; and
(c) the person obtains a credential as outlined in paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section, within three years of the start of employment or contracting for the performance of infection preventionists duties.
5. A general hospital that employs or contracts with an infection preventionist shall, upon request of another general hospital, or upon request of an infection preventionist employed by, formerly employed by or contracted to perform as an infection preventionist at such general hospital, verify the dates of employment or contract of such person.
6. Nothing in this section shall prohibit any professional from performing an infection preventionists' tasks or functions if such person is acting within the scope of his or her practice. Nothing in this section shall authorize any individual not licensed pursuant to title eight of the education law to perform tasks or functions within the scope of practice of a professional under such title.
7. The commissioner shall promulgate regulations as he or she may deem appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this section.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law.
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 the employment of persons to function as infection preventionists in certain general hospitals
Purpose
To require individuals employed as infection preventionists in hospitals to be certified and undergo continuing education.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1 of this bill creates a new section 2828 in the public health law to address infection preventionists. Section 2828, subdivision defines key terms. Subdivision 2 and 3 sets forth the certification requirements for infection preventionists. Subdivisions 4 and 5 set forth the employer requirements for infection preventionists. Subdivi- sion 6 relates to scope of practice and Subdivision 7 states that regu- lations are to be promulgated by the commissioner if necessary. Section 2 of this bill sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Most infection preventionists (IPs) are nurses, physicians, public health professionals, epidemiologists, microbiologists, or medical tech- nologists who are employed within healthcare institutions and also serve as educators,researchers, consultants, and clinical scientists. The majority are affiliated with acute care settings. An increasing number practice in ambulatory and outpatient services where they direct programs that protect patients and personnel from HAIs. Members are also involved in long-term care, home health, and other practice settings where infection prevention and control is an increasing area of respon- sibility for nurses and other healthcare personnel.
IPs collect, analyze, and interpret health data in order to track infection trends, plan appropriate interventions, measure success, and report relevant data to public health agencies. They establish scientif- ically based infection prevention practices and collaborate with the healthcare team to assure implementation. Further, they work to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in healthcare facilities by isolating sources of infections and limiting their transmission. They also educate healthcare personnel and the public about infectious diseases and how to limit their spread. The legislation requires the certification of persons who wish to practice infection preventionists.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: A10671A referred to Health/S8185A committed to Rules
Fiscal implications
None to state.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the first January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.