Date: 01/22/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1025

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer HB 09-1025 to the Committee of the PASS



05:31 PM -- House Bill 09-1025

Representative Riesberg introduced House Bill 09-1025 which came out of the Health Care Task Force. Representative Riesberg stated that the people who inspect hospital-acquired diseases are in high demand and that in order for these people to keep their certification, they work in larger facilities. The reason these individuals work in large facilities is because they can maintain their certification in these places. He stated the witness will speak to this more in testimony. Representative Riesberg stated that the bill exempts ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and certified dialysis treatment centers from this requirement due to the size. He stated that under current law, individuals who collect data on hospital-acquired infection rates for hospitals with 50 or fewer beds are not required to have national certification. Representative Riesberg stated that ASCs already report on their own. He continued by saying that the problem is not with regard to data collection, but that there are not enough people in the state that meet the certification for the infectious-disease requirements.


05:39 PM

Debbie Teetzel, Colorado Ambulatory Surgical Center Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Teetzel provided background information to the committee on what ASCs currently report on. She stated that the state has about 85 nurses currently certified. She pointed out a three page check-list which is required of the nurse to maintain his or her certification. She stated that most nurses do not have the opportunity to meet several of the requirements at an ASCs due to their size. She reassured the committee that they have their own infection control procedures. She also noted that prior to the bill being passed last year which required the hospital-acquired infection inspections, three was no reporting and ASCs still maintained a very low infection rate.


05:44 PM

Representative Riesberg provided a wrap-up in support of the bill.
BILL:HB09-1025
TIME: 05:45:45 PM
MOVED:Riesberg
MOTION:Moved to refer HB 09-1025 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion passed on a 10-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Kefalas
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Gerou
Yes
Green
Yes
Kefalas
Yes
Kerr J.
Yes
McGihon
Excused
Nikkel
Yes
Primavera
Yes
Swalm
Yes
Gagliardi
Yes
Riesberg
Yes
Final YES: 10 NO: 0 EXC: 1 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS



05:48 PM

Rep. Riesberg pointed out the calendar for the next couple of weeks. He reminded the committee about the committee hearing tomorrow upon adjournment. The committee adjourned.