The state of Missouri has put great emphasis on patient safety.  Missouri law requires the reporting and collection of data related to hospital acquired infections (HAIs) in hospitals, surgical centers, or other health care facilities.1  All hospitals are required to have a multidisciplinary team that is responsible for implementing and monitoring the infection control program.  The infection control program must include ways of preventing, identifying and investigating healthcare associated infections, and establishing procedures for collecting data and reporting sentinel events.2  Missouri extends the HAI reporting requirement to laboratories within the state.  All laboratories must submit data on HAIs to the Department of Health and Senior Services.  Information submitted by labs is protected and must remain confidential.3

        Missouri law also contains provisions that require reporting to the Department of Health and Senior Services of incidents of abuse or neglect of patients in hospitals, nursing facilities or other long term care facilities.  The law makes it a misdemeanor for knowing failure to report the incidents.  Such reports must remain confidential.4  These requirements apply to reporting instances of abuse or neglect in home health agencies or in the provision of in-home services.5

        Missouri licensing laws require that the Department of Health and Senior Services has access to this information.  Failure to do so could lead to a facility’s license being revoked or suspension of state payments to the facility.6  Furthermore, the state of has the right to deny payment or recover payments made to the Medicaid participating hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers for treatments as a result of a serious adverse event.7