HCS HB 1546 -- INFECTION CONTROL

SPONSOR:  Cooper, 155 (Schaaf)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 8 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding infection control and
specifies when incidents of ventilator-associated pneumonia must
be included by the Department of Health and Senior Services in
its quarterly infection incidence rate reports.

Beginning January 1, 2009, the substitute requires every hospital
licensed in the state to develop a methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) control program to isolate infected
patients; reduce the risk of MRSA transmission; establish
procedures, protocols, and education for staff known to be
MRSA-colonized or MRSA-infected; and establish an
infection-control intervention protocol.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2009, FY 2010, and
FY 2011.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill makes health care
quality data available to consumers; makes all cases of MRSA,
vancomycin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, and
vancomycin-resistant enterococcus reportable to the Department of
Health and Senior Services; and clarifies the reporting
requirements for incidents of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Schaaf; St. Louis
Area Business Health Coalition; and Mary Yarberry.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the original bill
will increase costs to hospitals, burden hospitals with reporting
requirements, and require hospitals to shift staff from disease
prevention to disease monitoring.

Testifying against the bill were Missouri Hospital Association;
and Linda Johnson, University of Missouri Health Care System.

OTHERS:  Others testifying on the bill explained the disease
reporting system and requirements of the Department of Health and
Senior Services.

Testifying on the bill was Department of Health and Senior
Services.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm