AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS DISCLOSURE ACT.

Broader infection tracking in Delaware hospitals

Clinicians legally allowed to diagnose and treat procedure-related infections must report those they diagnose and treat to the procedure facility. The facility reports to Delaware only infections that meet National Healthcare Safety Network definitions and that state law requires reporting. Hospitals track infection categories set by an advisory committee and state rules, including hip or knee replacement, colostomy, and hysterectomy. Central line bloodstream infection reporting is no longer limited to intensive care units. Delaware can update categories after consulting the committee and infection experts; the old June 30, 2010 date restriction is removed. All Delaware hospitals must join the national network or its successor; the old December 31, 2007 deadline is removed. If enrollment is closed, hospitals must join within 180 days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allows enrollment.