House approves bill to require public reporting of health‑care associated infections; effective date delayed

The Utah House on Jan. 30 approved H.B. 55, a bill directing the Department of Health to post verified, user-friendly reports of health-care-associated infection (HAI) rates for hospitals, surgical centers and dialysis facilities.

Representative Draxler, sponsor of the measure, told members the bill is the product of a year of stakeholder work with the Utah Hospital Association, physician groups, consumer advocates and a governance committee convened by the Department of Health. He said the amendment adopted on the floor changes the effective date to July 1, 2012, "thereby eliminating the one-time money shown on the fiscal note."

Draxler cited national figures while urging action: "We have 1,700,000 hospital acquired infections per year nationwide," and said those infections contribute to tens of thousands of deaths and billions in direct medical costs; he and supporters argued better reporting increases transparency and can hasten improvement. Supporters noted existing federal reporting and independent audits but said a state, third-party verified presentation makes comparisons more accessible to the public.

Members asked whether private associations could publish the data and whether the reports could be used in litigation; Draxler replied that a neutral third party (the Department of Health) is needed to verify and present data in an apples-to-apples way, and that the bill follows other states in stating the information "may not be used in a criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding" to encourage candid reporting.

After debate and adoption of the amendment, the House passed H.B. 55, 48–22. Sponsors said they will make the case for any necessary appropriations to implement reporting requirements.