Denver,
CO – In response to alarming new evidence of the high rate of
hospital-acquired infections in the U.S., the Health and Human Services
committee in the Colorado House of Representatives approved a new
consumer protection today.
The
bill (HB 1045), sponsored by Senator Moe Keller and Representative Bob
McCluskey and supported by a coalition of health care advocates, will
require hospitals throughout Colorado to report to the state health
department their rate of infection for the three most common
hospital-acquired infections acquired by patients. These infections
include “central line” infections, and those acquired during heart or
orthopedic surgery. This information will be used to protect consumers
from unnecessary illnesses, and the high costs that often result, by
making it available to the public.
“Sunshine
is often the best disinfectant,” said Carrie Curtiss, Policy Director
for the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative. “By providing this
information, we can improve the safety of our healthcare system, and
the public has an opportunity to make the safest choice for themselves
and their families.”
The
cost of these infections is high, both financially and in lives lost.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more
than 2 million patients fall ill to hospital-acquired infections each
year, with more than 100,000 dying as a result. Additionally, according
to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association
(JAMA), these infections can lengthen a patient’s stay in the hospital
by an average of 9.58 days and results in an additional cost of
$36,656.
“Hospital
acquired infections are costing our nation’s healthcare system more
than $5 billion annually,” said Representative McCluskey, a Ft. Collins
Republican, and co-sponsor of the bill. “We have an opportunity to save
our state millions of dollars in unnecessary medical costs while, at
the same time, making Colorado a safer place to receive medical care.”
The
coalition supporting the bill includes the Colorado Consumer Health
Initiative, the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG),
Consumer’s Union, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU),
all of whom are working to represent both hospital employees and
consumers.
Michael
Kingsbury, a Registered Nurse at Denver Health and SEIU Nurse Alliance
member, explained, "As nurses, our goal is to provide the best possible
patient care. Preventing infection is a big part of our work, and this
legislation will support us in meeting that goal."
Nationally,
Colorado is one of fourteen states considering similar legislation to
curb the cost of hospital-acquired infections. Two states – Florida and
Pennsylvania – have already begun collecting data on their rates of
infection, and have released reports for public scrutiny. Both states
reported the annual cost of hospital acquired infections to be
approximately $2 billion, a significantly higher number than previous
estimates by the CDC.
“Collecting
accurate data is the first step towards reducing the impact of these
infections upon our healthcare system,” said Rex Wilmouth, a Consumer
Advocate with CoPIRG. “Once we understand the real scope of this
problem, we can begin to advocate for additional solutions.”
The
bill will move to the House Appropriations committee, as it continues
its journey through the legislative process towards passage.
“Today’s
vote was a victory for consumers in Colorado,” said Lisa McGiffert,
director of a project dedicated to stopping hospital infections at
Consumer’s Union.
