Requires hospitals and residential health care facilities to implement a pressure ulcer prevention program; directs the commissioner of health to report on current reimbursement options to reduce pressure ulcers; provides for the establishment of a pressure ulcer prevention center of excellence.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9718B
SPONSOR: Paulin TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hospi-
tals and residential health care facilities to implement a pressure
ulcer prevention program
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Requires hospitals and residential health care facilities to implement a
pressure ulcer prevention program
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 (a) requires the development and implementation of pressure
ulcer prevention programs at every general hospital and residential
health care facility.
Section 1 (b) mandates the Commissioner to evaluate the current
reimbursement policy in regard to pressure ulcer prevention programs
within 120 days of the effective date. Additionally, within six months
of the effective date, the Commissioner will report on the current reim-
burse- ment options that would reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers.
Section 1 (c) requires the Commissioner to create a pressure ulcer
prevention center of excellence within the Department of Health by April
2, 2025.
Section 2 states the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Pressure ulcers, also referred to as bed sores, are injuries that occur
when prolonged pressure is applied to one spot on the skin harming the
underlying tissue. They are most common in those who are, for whatever
reason, physically unable to change positions when lying down. There are
more than 200,000 cases in the U.S. per year.
Pressure ulcers primarily affect individuals who are immobile or have
limited mobility due to medical conditions, age, or injury. Common risk
factors include prolonged bed rest, wheelchair use, malnutrition, and
dehydration.
The prevention of pressure ulcers will save significant resources across
the health care system. It will prevent countless hours of suffering for
patients, residents and their families.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
New bill
FISCAL IMPACT
No impact in SFY 24-25
EFFECTIVE DATE
Immediate
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9718--B
IN ASSEMBLY
April 3, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PAULIN, WEINSTEIN -- read once and referred to
the Committee on Health -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee -- again
reported from said committee with amendments, ordered reprinted as
amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring hospi-
tals and residential health care facilities to implement a pressure
ulcer prevention program
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 2803 of the public health law is amended by adding
2 a new subdivision 15 to read as follows:
3 15. (a) The commissioner shall require each general hospital and resi-
4 dential health care facility to develop and implement a pressure ulcer
5 prevention program.
6 (b) Within one hundred twenty days of the effective date of this
7 subdivision, the commissioner shall evaluate current reimbursement poli-
8 cies in regard to pressure ulcer prevention programs including durable
9 medical equipment and education and training. Within six months after
10 the effective date of this subdivision, the commissioner shall report on
11 the current reimbursement options available to reduce the incidence of
12 pressure ulcers across all health care settings.
13 (c) By April first, two thousand twenty-five the commissioner shall
14 establish a pressure ulcer prevention center of excellence within the
15 department.
16 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14439-04-4
