Requirements for reporting entities - R.I. Gen. Laws Ann. § 23-17.21-6

“Reporting entities,” defined as hospitals, nursing facilities, and ambulatory surgical centers, may enter into contracts with Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) beginning January 1, 2009. Pursuant to the contract, reporting entities will provide PSOs with “patient safety work product.”

Reporting entities must maintain a log of submitted work product that will be accessible by the department of health.  The department will not have access to the actual work product and the log will not be accessible by parties other than the reporting entity, PSO, and department. Patient safety work product and the log are not public record and consequently are not accessible under Rhode Island’s Public Records Law.

Reporting entities must still comply with § 23-17-40 (regarding the reporting of hospital events) and § 5-37-9 (regarding the reporting of health care professionals’ conduct)