Among the many concerns related to infectious diseases, health care-associated infections (HAIs) have been an important issue for states. Although most patients go to the hospital to get well, it is possible for patients to get an infection while receiving medical care. Infections acquired while receiving medical care in a hospital or another health care facility are called health care-associated infections (HAIs). These infections can cause serious illnesses and, in severe cases, even death. CDC estimates that nearly 2 million hospitalized patients acquire these infections each year in the United States, and nearly 90,000 patients die from their infections. These illnesses result in at least $4.5 billion in additional medical costs and lost productivity.

To curb these illnesses, states are requiring hospitals to report HAIs to a national reporting system monitored by state health departments.  Hospitals that implement standard reporting and control measures with adequate staffing have experienced 32 percent fewer patient infections than those who did not have such measures in place. 

Several states currently mandate public reporting of HAIs and others are considering legislation. CDC recommends that states use the new national HAI reporting system, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), for hospitals reporting to state health officials.

For example, Virginia recently enacted a law requiring acute care hospitals to report HAI information to the CDC's NHSN effective in 2008.  To learn more about your state, view the state-by-state interactive map depicting the current status of mandatory reporting of infection rates and related legislative activity from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). 

At the Healthy States Public Health Roundtable with the CDC, Dr. Chesley Richards delievered a presentation on the topic of Hospital-Associated Infections. He provided examples of HAIs and discussed why state legislators should become involved in this issue. 

Model Legislation for State HAI Reporting

Health care-associated infection (HAI) model legislation aims to ensure reliable and confidential state reporting systems that adhere to recommended practices shown to reduce HAI risk.  Access a copy of the model legislation on public reporting of HAIs from the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA). 

Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)

CDC has guidelines for creating state reporting systems for HAIs. Guided by a federal advisory committee of infectious control experts, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), the CDC developed and published consensus recommendations for states designing and implementing public reporting systems.