Bill > HB4977

This bill amends the Hospital Licensing Act to broaden the scope of infection control measures in hospitals by defining "pathogens of epidemiological concern" as infectious agents that are easily transmitted in healthcare settings, have resistance to antimicrobials, are associated with severe illness, or are newly discovered or reemerging. Instead of focusing solely on multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), hospitals will now be required to develop and implement comprehensive strategies to prevent and control these broader categories of pathogens, taking into account guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recommendations from various infectious disease and infection control professional societies. Within a year of the bill's enactment, hospitals must establish policies for preventing the transmission of these pathogens, including conducting risk assessments and implementing evidence-based procedures for identifying and managing infected patients. Furthermore, hospitals will be required to report patients identified with pathogens of epidemiological concern to federal health agencies as directed by the Department of Public Health. This legislation also repeals the MRSA Screening and Reporting Act, which specifically addressed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a type of MDRO, indicating a shift towards a more comprehensive approach to infectious disease control in healthcare facilities.

Health and Social Services

https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=4977&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104