Texas Senate Bill SB620

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 3/31/11
• Introduced: 2/11/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/14/11
• Refer: 2/17/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/19/11
• Report Pass: 3/31/11
• Engrossed: 4/14/11
• Refer: 4/28/11
• Report Pass: 5/16/11

Caption

Relating to the reporting of health care-associated infections and preventable adverse events.

Impact

The proposed changes under SB620 are significant for state laws governing health care reporting. By aligning the reporting of infections and adverse events with the guidelines set forth by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bill ensures that Texas health facilities are held to a higher standard of accountability. The ongoing publication and public accessibility of this data will likely lead to improved outcomes in patient care, as it could foster transparency and encourage facilities to adopt better practices to minimize infection rates.

Summary

SB620 focuses on improving the reporting mechanisms for health care-associated infections and preventable adverse events within the state of Texas. The bill mandates that health care facilities report detailed data about infections to the Texas Department of Health. This includes provisions that insist on sufficient patient identifying information to prevent duplication of records and ensure accurate data verification. The aim is to enhance patient safety by ensuring that health care organizations are consistently reporting their incidents of preventable medical errors and infections.

Contention

Notably, the bill outlines that reports of health care-associated infections can be shared with various health-related programs within the department, as well as with other health agencies and the CDC for research purposes. While this could enhance oversight, concerns may arise regarding patient privacy and the implications of sharing data between agencies. The amendment to existing sections of the Health and Safety Code and the introduction of new reporting requirements could lead to debates on the balance between enhanced safety measures and bureaucratic burdens on health care facilities.