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Panel clears bill to add emergency department data to Delaware'wide health reporting
Summary
HB231 would clarify that emergency department visit information is included in Delaware's uniform health data system, closing a surveillance gap supporters say hides overdoses and other acute events. Hospitals and public-health officials told the committee the change imposes no new mandate and will improve public-health monitoring.
Representative Kay Smith told the committee that House Bill 231 updates Delaware's uniform health data law to make clear that emergency department (ED) data should be treated alongside hospital discharge data, closing a gap that has generally excluded ED visits not admitted to inpatient care.
"This bill closes that gap by making clear that the emergency department data is included alongside hospital discharge data," Kay Smith said, arguing ED data are often the first point of contact for overdoses, injuries, and other acute public-health issues.
Christina Bridal of the Delaware Health Care Association said hospitals in Delaware handle more than 400,000 ED visits a year and that only about 90,000 of those are inpatient admissions, so excluding ED data leaves a large portion of care invisible in state datasets. Simone Silver of ChristianaCare said including ED data will help identify inequities and target resources by geography and need.
DPH testimony noted the current statutory requirement under Title 16 (section 2004) mandates inpatient discharge data submissions; the bureau supports including ED visits in quarterly submissions so the state can better monitor trends and comply with federal grants such as CDC overdose data-to-action programs. Sponsors and hospital representatives said the clarification is not intended to create new mandates or costs and that hospitals already collect the data or can share it without undue burden.
Representative Johnson moved to release HB231, seconded by Representative Burns. The committee took a roll-call vote; the motion carried and the bill will go to the full House for further consideration.
