Mandatory reporting of healthcare associated infections: Can US experience inform Canadian policy?

Abstract

Purpose

This editorial aims to summarize major points from and explains the rationale of a symposium convened in Canada to explore whether American experience with mandatory public reporting of healthcare associated infection (HAI) information can usefully inform Canadian policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The symposium brought together members of the Universities Council, an interdisciplinary consortium of Canadian and American researchers organized by the Healthcare Associated Infections Program of the Washington State Health Department. Its members are interested in patient safety generally, and a comprehensive strategy to evaluate HAI public reporting specifically.

Findings

American health department experts shared insights from their experience with mandatory reporting; Canadian experts, primarily from the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control, described the current reporting policies of Canadian public health authorities. Presentations were discussed by an audience that included members of the public, allied health professionals, academic researchers, patient safety advocates, the British Columbia Ministry of Health as well as the Canadian Institute for Health Information. The American papers presented are published in this theme issue. Participants found the symposium to be a useful discussion of important issues that identified knowledge gaps underlying the role and value of public reporting in HAI prevention. Discussion of key research agenda issues was informed by the presentations and ensuing discussions.

Practical implications

The Universities Council research agenda was confirmed and further informed through the presentations and discussions, affording its members and others a better understanding of current needs and opportunities. Historical and state of the art descriptions of public reporting afforded comparisons of cultures, approaches and early results that can inform any policy makers contemplating relative merits of such programs.

Originality/value

Despite much start‐up activity in response to demands for more transparency, indications of consumer interest, and some early claims of success, there remain fundamental knowledge gaps and coordination problems hampering achievement of best approaches and value in public reporting. The group brought together in this symposium offers one of the most comprehensive perspectives available on current theory and practice.

Citation

Sheps, S. and Birnbaum, D. (2012), "Mandatory reporting of healthcare associated infections: Can US experience inform Canadian policy?", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 17 No. 2, pp. 96-100. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777271211220871