Bill on hospital infection reporting clears Senate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Hospitals would be required to report their rates of hospital-acquired infections under legislation that won final approval in the Senate on Wednesday. The bill, sent to Gov. Bob Holden on a 31-0 vote, directs state health officials to collect the reports and make the information public starting in late 2006. Proponents said the reports would let the public know which hospitals have serious problems with staph and other infections and encourage hospitals to improve their procedures.

Over time, said sponsoring Sen. Sarah Steelman, R-Rolla, the legislation should improve people's health and save millions of dollars paid by insurers and the government-run Medicaid program on extended hospital stays resulting from infections.

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Hospital infection bill is SB1279.

On the Net:

Legislature: http://www.moga.state.mo.us