Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024
Section 64-7-9 - Other Reportable Events: Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) Surveillance9.1. The WV Health Care Authority (HCA) shall allow access to all healthcare associated infection (HAI) data reported to and collected by the HCA to the appropriate persons at the Bureau for Public Health in the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services. The purpose of the access includes monitoring and reporting the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in association with specific HAIs, investigation of outbreaks and clusters in healthcare settings and other public health surveillance and investigation activities consistent with the mission of the Bureau. The responsibility for communication with hospitals regarding data collection, data quality and completeness rests with the WV Health Care Authority.9.2. If not already reportable to the Bureau under subsection 9.1. of this section, all healthcare associated infections designated as reportable to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) shall also be made available to the Bureau. The health care facility shall give the Bureau access to the data reported to NHSN. The purpose of the access includes monitoring and reporting the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in association with specific HAIs, investigation of outbreaks and clusters in healthcare settings and other public health surveillance and investigation activities consistent with the mission of the Bureau. The responsibility for communication with the healthcare facilities regarding data collection, data quality and completeness rests with the Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services within the Bureau for Public Health.9.3. Data reported to the Bureau under this section is confidential and not subject to disclosure under the state Freedom Of Information Act, W. Va. Code 29B-1-1, et seq. Data may be released for the purpose of informing the public about the health issue under surveillance in the aggregate.