APIC President Makes Statement Regarding Maryland Senate Bill 135

The following is a statement by Kathleen Meehan Arias, MS, CIC, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), in response to the passage of Maryland Senate Bill 135. This legislation, which takes effect on July 1, 2006, requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities to report healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to the Maryland Health Care Commission.  In addition to being APIC president, Arias lives and works in Maryland

Arias commented, By enacting this critical patient safety legislation, Maryland joins six other states that require public reporting of HAIs. Im proud that my state has taken action that will provide patients access to this information. APIC welcomes the opportunity to work closely with the Maryland Health Care Commission in implementing this system.

Source: APIC