Bill Aims To Cut Staph Infections Through Tracking
A bill (SB 1058) by Sen. Elaine Alquist (D-Santa Clara) would require hospitals and nursing homes to track and report staph infection rates to the Department of Public Health to help reduce cases of drug-resistant bacterial infections, KPCC's "Patt Morrison" reports.
The bill also would require:
- Screenings for high-risk patients entering hospitals and nursing homes;
- An enhanced protocol at hospital and nursing homes to prevent staph cases;
- Tracking by DPH of staph in hospitals, nursing homes and the community; and
- Public awareness campaigns.
"Patt Morrison" on Monday included a discussion with Alquist about the bill. Other guests on the program included:
- Jim Lott, executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California; and
- Lisa McGiffert, director of Consumers Union's Stop Hospital Infections campaign (Morrison, "Patt Morrison," KPCC, 1/7).
Audio of the segment is available online. This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.