Over 300 Pennsylvania Nursing Homes in Eastern Pennsylvania Begin Reporting Healthcare-Associated ...(homes for reporting was a more resource ...),Health

"Since hospitals were reporting through NHSN much of the work was already done. The reporting system was practically in place and ready for them to input their information," Doering said. "For nursing homes we had to start from square one and determine exactly what should be reported, put that information out for public comment and re-develop the PA-PSRS system specifically for nursing homes to input their HAI events and then train them on how to use the electronic system."

Doering added that the Authority's Board of Directors assembled the Healthcare-Associated Infection Advisory panel in September 2007, shortly after Act 52 was signed into law. The Advisory panel helped establish what infections are being reported by nursing homes.

"Our board understood the importance of establishing an expert panel as quickly as possible to get the reporting process moving forward," Doering said. "So far, facilities in the east are entering reports and appear to have had few problems."

For more information about the Authority, PA-PSRS and the healthcare-associated infection reporting process, go to the Authority's 2008 Annual Report at www.patientsafetyauthority.org.