Calif. Releases Report Detailing Hospital Infection Rates

SACRAMENTO (AP) — The California Department of Public Health has issued an annual report which for the first time allows residents to compare patient infection rates at hospitals across the state.

The state released the infection data for 2009 and 2010 on Friday. Hospitals had sued the state to limit surgical infection reporting but the court ruled against the hospitals and required disclosures for 29 different surgical procedures.

Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, says for years California lagged behind other states in reporting hospital infection information but has now become a national leader in such disclosures.

This is the second annual report issued by the state, which is required by Niles Law, a 2008 law that aims to encourage hospitals to improve infection rates.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press)