New Jersey § 26:2h-12

§ 26:2h-12.

The Legislature finds and declares: a. Health care facility-associated infections constitute a major public health problem

in this country, affecting from 5% to 10% of hospitalized patients annually, resulting

in an estimated two million infections, and 90,000 deaths, and adding an estimated

$4.5 to $5.7 billion in health care costs; b. Many health care facility-associated infections can be prevented, and a goal of

zero health care facility-associated infections is desirable. There are many simple and effective practices in hospitals that can dramatically

reduce the incidence of health care facility-associated infections, such as hand washing,

using gloves and properly sterilized equipment, and following the same established

best practices, every time, for procedures such as the insertion of an intravenous

tube to deliver fluids and medication; c. The uniform reporting of health care facility-associated infections to the State,

and the review and analysis of this data by the Department of Health , will provide a measurable means to assist hospitals in improving patient outcomes; d. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that states establishing

public reporting systems for health care facility-associated infections focus on major

site categories to report rates of health care facility-associated infections related

to procedures and conditions including, but not limited to, urinary tract infections,

surgical site infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and central line-related

bloodstream infections. A focus on major site categories helps ensure that data collection is concentrated

in populations where health care facility-associated infections are more prevalent,

and that the infection rates reported are most useful for targeting prevention practices

and making comparisons among hospitals and within hospitals, over time; e. The Department of Health currently provides comparative hospital performance data in its annual New Jersey

Hospital Performance Report, and including information about hospital infection rates

will further enhance the value of the report to the public and health care providers;

and f. Therefore, it is a matter of public health and fiscal policy that patients in New

Jersey's hospitals receive health care that incorporates best practices in infection

control, not only to protect their health and lives, but also to ensure the economic

viability of New Jersey's hospitals.