The Oregon Legislature passed a bill Monday, June 25, to provide consumers
with critical information regarding infection rates at hospitals and other
healthcare facilities in Oregon. House Bill 2524, sponsored by Rep.
Greenlick and Rep. Tomei and others, heads to the Governor's desk where it
is expected to be signed.
"This gives consumers information they need
when deciding what healthcare facility to choose," said Laura Etherton,
OSPIRG consumer advocate, "What's more, this public reporting should spur
improvements in reducing, and ultimately eliminating, these preventable
infections."
Healthcare acquired infections have been a rising concern
among health and consumer protection organizations. According to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare acquired infections
account for 90,000 deaths across the country each year.
Here in
Oregon, The Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research found in their 2006
report Infections Due to Medical Care in Oregon Hospitals, 2003-2005, that
healthcare acquired infections cause worse clinical outcomes and higher
rates of mortality. The Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research report
also estimated these infections drove up costs by at least $15 million in
2005.
"Reducing these infections will not only improve the quality of
healthcare, it will reduce costs," said Etherton, "that's good for
consumers, and this bill helps us get there."
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Oregon State
Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) is a statewide non-profit,
non-partisan public interest advocate.
