What's happening
This bill requires the New York Department of Health to post educational information about pressure ulcers on its website for public and caregiver awareness.
Why it matters
Empowers families and unpaid caregivers. by providing them with practical, accessible educational resources to recognize, prevent, and manage pressure ulcers—an issue often faced in home care but previously lacking focused public health guidance.
Promotes early intervention and prevention. , potentially reducing serious health complications, hospitalizations, and associated healthcare costs by equipping people with knowledge to identify pressure ulcers before they worsen.
Improves transparency and patient rights. by requiring clear information about hospital and nursing home responsibilities, including regulations and family notification, which may help families advocate more effectively for loved ones in care facilities.
Addresses health disparities. by making critical, image-based, and stage-specific information accessible online to a broad audience, potentially benefiting vulnerable populations who may have limited access to professional guidance.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Post Pressure Ulcer Info Online
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1588
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 10, 2025
Introduced by Sen. KRUEGER -- 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 requiring the health care and wellness education and outreach program of the department of health
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 207 of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph (t) to read as follows:
(t) The program shall post on the department's website educational information on pressure ulcers for the purpose of advancing recognition in home-based settings and timely treatment. The website shall provide information for the purposes of educating the public and that will be helpful for family members and others who provide home-based care for individuals who are susceptible to developing pressure ulcers. The website shall also include information for family members of patients in hospitals and nursing homes. The information posted shall include images of pressure ulcers, links to useful resources, and the following educational information:
(i) an overview of what pressure ulcers are, and how and where on the body they develop;
(ii) which individuals are susceptible to developing pressure ulcers;
(iii) descriptions of the stages of pressure ulcers and associated health risks;
(iv) information on how to prevent the development of pressure ulcers;
(v) information on how to treat pressure ulcers at home and when to seek medical care; and
(vi) references to federal and state regulations and standards of practice regarding identification, treatment, and reporting of pressure ulcers developed by patients in hospitals and nursing homes, including requirements to inform family members or other authorized representatives.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03725-02-5
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 requiring the health care and wellness education and outreach program of the depart- ment of health
Purpose or general idea of bill
Requires hospitals and residential health care facilities to implement a pressure ulcer prevention program
Summary of provisions
Section 1 (a) requires the development and implementation of pressure ulcer prevention programs at every general hospital and residential health care facility.
Section 1 (b) mandates the Commissioner to evaluate the current reimbursement policy in regard to pressure ulcer prevention programs within 120 days of the effective date. Additionally, within six months of the effective date, the Commissioner will report on the current reimbursement options that would reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers.
Section 1 (c) requires the Commissioner to create a pressure ulcer prevention center of excellence within the Department of Health by April 2, 2025.
Section 2 states the effective date.
Justification
Pressure ulcers, also referred to as bed sores, are injuries that occur when prolonged pressure is applied to one spot on the skin harming the underlying tissue. They are most common in those who are, for whatever reason, physically unable to change positions when lying down. There are more than 200,000 cases in the U.S. per year. Pressure ulcers primarily affect individuals who are immobile or have limited mobility due to medical conditions, age, or injury. Common risk factors include prolonged bed rest, wheelchair use, malnutrition, and dehydration.
The prevention of pressure ulcers will save significant resources across the health care system. It will prevent countless hours of suffering for patients, residents and their families.
Prior legislative history
2023-24: S.8226/A.9571 - Referred to Health
Fiscal impact
No impact in SFY 24-25
Effective date
Immediate
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.