Section 1303.405 - Patient Safety Authority jurisdiction(a) Health care facility reports to authority.--The occurrence of a health care-associated infection in a health care facility shall be deemed a serious event as defined in section 302 . The report to the authority shall also be subject to all of the confidentiality protections set forth in section 311. The occurrence of a health care-associated infection shall only constitute a serious event for hospitals if it meets the criteria for reporting as defined by the current CDC and NHSN Manual, Patient Safety Component Protocol and any successor edition.(b) Duties.--In addition to its existing responsibilities, the authority is responsible for all of the following:(1) Establishing, based on CDC definitions, uniform definitions using nationally recognized standards for the identification and reporting of health care-associated infections by nursing homes.(2) Publishing a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin stating the uniform reporting requirements established pursuant to this subsection and the effective date for the commencement of required reporting by hospitals consistent with this chapter, which, at a minimum, shall begin 120 days after publication of the notice.(3) Publishing a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin stating the uniform reporting requirements established pursuant to this subsection and section 404(a) and the effective date for the commencement of required reporting by nursing homes consistent with this chapter, which, at a minimum, shall begin 120 days after publication of the notice.(4) Issuing advisories to health care facilities in a manner similar to section 304(a)(7) . (5) Including a separate category for providing information about health care-associated infections in the annual report under section 304(c).(6) Creating and conducting training programs for infection control teams, health care workers and physical plant personnel about the prevention and control of health care-associated infections. Nothing in this act shall preclude the authority from working with the department or any organization in conducting these programs.(7) Appointing an advisory panel of health care-associated infection control experts, including at least one representative of a not-for-profit nursing home, at least one representative of a for-profit nursing home, at least one representative of a county nursing home and at least two representatives of a hospital, one of which must be from a rural hospital, to assist in carrying out the requirements of this chapter.(c) Public comment.--Prior to publishing a notice under subsection (b)(2) and (3), the authority shall solicit public comments for at least 30 days. The authority shall respond to the comments it receives during the 30-day public comment period. 2002 , March 20, P.L. 154, No. 13, § 405, added 2007, July 20, P.L. 331, No. 52, §1, effective in 30 days [ 8/20/2007].