Texas Legislature Passes Bill to Support Hospitals in Quality Improvement Work

(AUSTIN, Texas – May 23, 2019) The Texas Legislature yesterday passed legislation to simplify and align reporting requirements for health care-associated infections to promote Texas hospitals’ ongoing work to improve the quality of care delivered in its facilities. Senate Bill 384, by Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) and Rep. J.D. Sheffield (R-Gatesville), aligns state and federal reporting requirements for HAIs and better positions Texas hospitals to control and prevent the spread of infections.

“Texas hospitals applaud Sen. Nelson and Rep. Sheffield for their leadership to align reporting requirements to give hospitals access to infection data that are most useful for protecting patients, their families and health care workers,” said Ted Shaw, THA president/CEO. “SB 384 allows hospitals more time and resources to focus on what matters – eliminating HAIs and improving infection control and prevention efforts.”

Since 2008, Texas hospitals have reported to the state data on infections that occurred while a patient received medical treatment. The federal government subsequently required HAI reporting for hospitals in 2011. State reporting requirements have not changed since the state law authorizing HAI reporting passed more than a decade ago. Federal reporting requirements, however, routinely are updated and revised based on the relevance of the infection to protecting and improving patient care.

“Controlling and preventing the spread of disease and reducing the number of HAIs in Texas are among Texas hospitals’ top priorities,” Shaw said.

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About THA
Founded in 1930, the Texas Hospital Association is the leadership organization and principal advocate for the state’s hospitals and health care systems. Based in Austin, THA enhances its members’ abilities to improve accessibility, quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all Texans. One of the largest hospital associations in the country, THA represents more than 85% of the state’s acute-care hospitals and health care systems, which employ some 400,000 health care professionals statewide. Learn more about THA at www.tha.org or follow THA on Twitter at http://twitter.com/texashospitals.