California acts to reduce MRSA infections

On Sept. 25, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two measures designed to decrease hospital-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections. CMS initially considered adding MRSA to its no-pay list for hospital acquired conditions (HACs), but ultimately decided to focus on eight other conditions. However, many within the industry expect CMS to add the condition to its no-pay list in the coming years.

The new California laws expand on CMS' HAC prevention efforts. Currently, the California laws do not contain provisions about denying reimbursement when patients acquire MRSA during a hospital stay.

One of the new California laws requires high-risk patients to be tested for MRSA within 24 hours of admission, and infection rates are to be reported to the state. The second law increases the public health department's surveillance efforts of hospitals and requires doctors and other medical professionals at hospitals to be trained in preventing the spread of infections.

A Los Angeles Times article details the new law, and can be accessed here.