HB 1865-S2.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/19/03)

Provides that an injured claimant who receives a settlement or judgment in any action for damages based upon injuries resulting from health care may contribute a portion of that settlement or judgment to the department of health for deposit into the patient safety account established in this act for the patient safety activities authorized in this act. Proceeds of the contributions will be distributed by the department of health in the form of grants, loans, or other appropriate arrangements to support strategies that have been proven to reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety.

Provides that proceeds from the contributions authorized in this act shall be administered by the department of health, in consultation with established patient safety coalitions. Upon receipt of at least one hundred thousand dollars in contributions, patient safety proceeds will be distributed in the form of grants, loans, or other appropriate arrangements to support strategies that have been proven to reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety. In developing criteria for the award of grants, loans, or other funding arrangements under this section, the department shall: (1) Consult with established patient safety coalitions and health care workers engaged in direct patient care activities; and

(2) Rely heavily upon evidence-based practices that have been shown to improve patient safety and have been identified and recommended by governmental and private organizations, including but not limited to: (a) The federal agency for health care quality and research; (b) the federal institute of medicine; (c) the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations; and (d) the national quality forum.

Provides that, by December 1, 2006, the department shall report the following information to the governor and the health policy and fiscal committees of the legislature: (1) The amount of contributions deposited to date in the patient safety account;

(2) The criteria for distribution of grants and loans under this act; and

(3) A description of the medical error reduction and patient safety grants and loans distributed to date, including their desired objectives, activities, timelines, and any available information on outcomes.

Declares that the patient safety program shall be terminated December 31, 2008.