Ohio hospitals must report infection rates

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ohio lawmakers have killed a last-minute provision that would have shielded hospitals from reporting infection rates to consumers.

The state Hospital Measures Advisory Council, created by a 2006 law, has recommended that hospitals disclose common infections and whether facilities are vigilant about hand-washing.

Rep. Shannon Jones, a Republican from Springboro in southwest Ohio, introduced an amendment that would have invalidated much of the council’s work.

The change, attached to an unrelated Senate bill, made it out of the House Health Committee.

But House and Senate lawmakers removed the proposal after state Health Director Alvin Jackson complained it undermined efforts to inform Ohio consumers.