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Vitale Measure Would Increase Dhss Access To Health Care Facility-Associated Reports

TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale, which would amend the “Health Care Facility-Associated Infection Reporting and Prevention Act,” to allow for increased data reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), was unanimously approved today by the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee.

“This bill would help to improve the accuracy of the infection data submitted by hospitals across the state,” said Senator Vitale, D-Middlesex. “When examining instances of infections, it is imperative that the numbers and statistics be as accurate as possible. By allowing DHSS to verify the data it receives, patient safety would be improved.”

Senator Vitale’s measure, S-817, would amend the “Health Care Facility-Associated Infection Reporting Prevention Act,” which would allow for the transmission of data which identifies patients, and allow DHSS to independently check and verify infection data submitted by hospitals.

The bill is a recommendation of a 2008 Government Accountability Office report, which evaluated state infection reporting programs.

This measure now heads to the full Senate for approval.#

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