Texas House Bill HB3285

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the reporting of health care associated infections.

Impact

The enactment of HB3285 will have a significant impact on the reporting practices of health care facilities across Texas. By making it mandatory to report whether an infection led to a patient’s death, the bill encourages hospitals and other healthcare providers to enhance their infection control measures. Furthermore, this change aims to provide valuable data to both the public and healthcare regulators, thereby informing policy decisions and fostering a culture of accountability. The bill aims to create a safer healthcare environment by shedding light on what can often be a hidden public health issue.

Summary

House Bill 3285 aims to improve the transparency of healthcare-associated infection reporting in Texas. The bill modifies the Health and Safety Code to mandate that reports on healthcare-associated infections must specify whether these infections resulted in a patient's death while hospitalized. By including this critical information, the bill seeks to provide healthcare facilities and the public with a more comprehensive view of the outcomes associated with healthcare-associated infections.

Conclusion

Ultimately, HB3285 passed with unanimous support, reflecting a strong legislative commitment to enhancing patient safety and public health. The new law is slated to take effect on September 1, 2013, and it represents a significant step toward improving healthcare accountability in Texas. As health care-associated infections pose a persistent challenge within the health system, the proactive measures outlined in this bill are expected to yield positive outcomes for patients and healthcare providers alike.

Contention

Despite broad support in the legislative process, there were concerns raised regarding the implementation of the reporting requirements and the potential burden it may place on healthcare facilities. Opponents of the bill argued that additional reporting could lead to an excessive administrative workload, which might detract from the quality of patient care. However, advocates pointed out that the benefits of increased transparency and the potential for improved patient outcomes outweighed these concerns, emphasizing the importance of understanding the consequences of healthcare-associated infections.