Mores states may pass legislation requiring hospitals to report infection rates, a new report finds. Hospital-acquired infections pose a major problem for nursing homes, which often receive patients from this setting.
So far, 16 states require some level of reporting on patient infections, according to the Washington Times. An additional 12 more states are considering such legislation. Pennsylvania is among the few that require each hospital to report infection rates.
Patient screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is key to help stop its spread, advocates say. The prevalence of MRSA has grown in recent years because of the widespread use of antibiotics in hospitals.
