The Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention and Control Act
Act 52 of 2007
The Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention and Control Act
Last Updated: 8/16/2007
Background:
Governor Rendell signed Senate Bill 968into law on July 20, 2007. Act 52 of 2007, the Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention and Control Act, amends the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error Act (Act 13 of 2002) to address the reduction and prevention of health care-associated infections. The bill reflects HAP’s influence in requiring the adoption of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) internet-based surveillance system as the primary framework for hospitals to report health care-associated infections to the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH), Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4), and Patient Safety Authority.
Important Timelines Regarding Implementation of Act 52:
July 20, 2007—Senate Bill 968 signed into law.
August 18, 2007—Effective date of legislation.
August 2007-January 2008—Hospitals must participate in education and training sessions on NHSN.
December 16, 2007—Infection control plan must be developed and implemented containing requirements pursuant to the act. Note: The act requires that a facility submit infection control plans to DOH within 14 days (e.g., December 30, 2007) of the facility’s implementation of the infection control plan for review. In addition, after submitting the plan to DOH, hospitals are required to notify all health care workers, physical plant personnel, and medical staff of the facility’s infection control plan.
December 31, 2007—Hospitals currently not using an electronic surveillance system must have conducted a strategic assessment of the utility and efficacy of implementing a qualified electronic surveillance system. Upon completion of the strategic assessment, hospitals must submit the assessment to DOH, no later than 14 days after completion (e.g., January 14, 2008).
February 14, 2008—Hospitals must begin reporting health care-associated infection data to the CDC’s NHSN.
December 31, 2008—Hospitals must implement a qualified electronic surveillance system, or comply with the applicable provision of the act if the facility has conducted a strategic assessment that demonstrates that such systems are not clinically efficacious.
