TMA Memo on HB 1657: Reporting Infections

To: Chairman Lois Kolkhorst and Members

House Public Health Committee 

Date: March 24, 2011  

Re: House Bill 1657 - Relating to the reporting of health care associated infections - Representative Yvonne Davis

The Texas Medical Association strongly supports the enhancement and development of the state’s health care associated infections reporting system and supports House Bill 1657 by Representative Yvonne Davis which calls for the reporting of deaths and related information that result from an infection of a patient while hospitalized.

Our physicians have served on the Department of State Health Services Health Care Associated Infections Advisory Panel and assisted in developing the reporting system and continue to work with DSHS to support implementation and monitoring. The reporting of a death associated with a healthcare associated infection can be complex and thus, DSHS should be given the ability to develop rules which give clear guidance on defining associated deaths. TMA understands DSHS has the capacity to support this additional reporting. We believe this will assist in better monitoring of health care associated infections and allow for continued improvement in the quality of care for our patients.  

The state must continue to move forward in supporting the state’s healthcare associated infections system and we welcome the opportunity to work with you in supporting the system.

82nd Texas Legislature Testimonies 

Last Updated On

June 20, 2016

Originally Published On

March 28, 2011