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Mandatory PA hospital infection data under scrutiny

Infection Control Monitor, October 8, 2004

A state agency responsible for collecting hospital-acquired infection (HAI) data from Pennsylvania hospitals questioned the accuracy of the data and is using billing information to get a more precise picture, The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, PA) reports.

Meanwhile, a dozen Pennsylvania hospitals missed the deadline for complying with the Pennsylvania Cost Care Containment Council requirement to submit HAI data quarterly, which began January 1. If those hospitals fail to provide second-quarter data, the council could find them "noncompliant" and fine them $10,000 for each day they did not submit the statistics.

Although 129 hospitals met the first-quarter data submission deadline, the council considered the number of reported HAI cases low, so it sought data from insurance billing sources.

The insurance data showed a much higher HAI rate. The council acknowledges, however, that the insurance statistics might not positively determine whether infections occurred at hospitals. The council will continue to study the insurance data before officially determining if hospitals accurately reported their HAIs.

Of the 2,253 infections reported by hospitals for the first quarter, 387 patients died (a 17.2% mortality rate).

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