Senator Saland Announces Legislation To Require Hospitals To Report Hospital Acquired Infections Passed The Senate

Senator Steve Saland (R,C Poughkeepsie) today announced that legislation (S.5855) he supports to require hospitals to report hospital-acquired infection rates to the Department of Health and make the information available to the public has passed the Senate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 90,000 infection-related deaths occur each year. There are more Americans who die every year from hospital-acquired infections than from auto accidents and homicides combined.

"It is expected that by recording and reporting the incidence of hospital-acquired infections we will be able to promote and encourage improvements in patient safety," said Senator Saland. "I am pleased that we have passed this important legislation and hope that it moves forward in the Assembly before the session ends."

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.