California Assembly Bill AB774

California 2019-2020 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/19/19
• Refer: 2/28/19
• Report Pass: 3/28/19
• Engrossed: 4/22/19
• Refer: 4/23/19
• Refer: 5/1/19
• Report Pass: 6/26/19
• Refer: 6/26/19
• Report Pass: 7/8/19
• Enrolled: 9/9/19
• Vetoed: 10/12/19

Caption

Health facilities: reporting.

Impact

The passage of AB 774 would align California's hospital reporting standards with improved national health data standards, enhancing the transparency and accountability of health facilities. The changes would also likely facilitate better health resource allocation and inform emergency care practices across the state. By providing a clearer picture of patient flow and hospital resource use in emergency situations, this bill could lead to significant improvements in operational efficiencies and patient care outcomes.

Summary

Assembly Bill 774, introduced by Assembly Member Reyes, aims to amend specific sections of the Health and Safety Code concerning health facility reporting requirements. The bill mandates that hospitals include additional details in the Hospital Discharge Abstract Data Record and the Emergency Care Data Record. Specifically, when the source of admission is an emergency department, hospitals must now report the date and time of service and the date and time of release from emergency care. This enhancement is intended to improve the accuracy of data regarding the time patients spend in emergency care, ultimately assisting in better healthcare management.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment around AB 774 appears to be positive among healthcare professionals and legislators who prioritize accurate reporting and quality patient care. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary step toward modernizing the state's health information management systems. However, some concerns may arise from those who fear additional reporting requirements could impose new burdens on healthcare facilities, especially smaller hospitals with limited resources.

Contention

A notable point of contention in discussions regarding AB 774 is the balance between ensuring comprehensive data collection and the potential administrative burden on hospitals. While many stakeholders agree on the importance of accurate reporting for improving emergency care, there are discussions about how to implement these changes without diminishing the operational capabilities of health facilities, especially in light of existing demands on their time and resources.