A new system to help fight infections that people get in hospitals has gotten first-round approval in the State Senate. Senator Sarah Steelman of Rolla says nosocomial infections take 90,000 lives a year. She says her bill is needed so the public has information about safety and quality of care in hospitals. Her bill protects hospital whistleblowers who file reports with the State Health Department, requires hospital records on infections to be public records, and sets up a commission to recommend ways to reduce those infections.
