Mandatory Public Reporting of Hospital Acquired Infections (MPRHAI): Recommendations of the Tennessee Study Group to the Tennessee Legislature

Abstract

ISSUE: About 2 million Americans acquire healthcare associated infections annually; one third of these infections are considered preventable. Various consumers' groups have highlighted these facts urging legislators to pass legislation mandating public reporting of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Since 2002, six states have enacted legislation that requires health care organizations to publicly disclose HAI. To date, there are six additional states (including Tennessee) that have required a study of such legislation and many other states with pending legislation. PROJECT: To describe the underlying rationale and recommendations made by Tennessee's study group on MPRHAI. The study group included infection control professionals and hospital epidemiologists from large and small hospitals; urban and rural. It reviewed reporting requirements for the State of Tennessee, impacts and effect of MPRHAI legislation in other states, quality improvement initiatives from multiple organizations, and guidelines from the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). Emphasis was placed on collection of actionable, verifiable data. RESULTS: The study group found no evidence for or against using MPRHAI to reduce HAI. It recognized that consumers want this information available publicly and that data must be displayed in a way that consumers will be able to comprehend. It recommended that any action taken by the Tennessee legislature be in conjunction with current national reporting initiatives and sufficient resources be allocated to implement a meaningful reporting system. The study group recommended: a) All healthcare institutions be included except: critical access hospitals or hospitals with an average daily census of LESSONS LEARNED: A combination of process and outcome measures and modification of rules was recommended.