Requires the health care and wellness education and outreach program of the department of health to provide information regarding pressure ulcers for consumers, patients, educators and health care providers.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A9571
SPONSOR: Gunther
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the
health care and wellness education and outreach program of the depart-
ment of health
 
PURPOSE:
To make educational information on pressure ulcers available in order to
help raise awareness of this health issue, including how to treat pres-
sure ulcers at home, and to help family members make informed decisions
about the care of their loved ones.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Amends subdivision 1 of section 207 of the Public Health Law
to add pressure ulcers to the list of healthcare issues addressed by the
Health Care and Wellness Education and Outreach Program.
Section 2: Establishes the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Pressure ulcers, also known as pressure injuries or bedsores, are cate-
gorized by stage, range in severity, and require different types of
treatment based on progression of the injury. Pressure ulcers result
from prolonged pressure on the skin; children and adults who have diffi-
culty shifting their position, and who spend a majority of time in a
chair or bed are particularly susceptible to developing pressure ulcers.
As a result, patients in hospitals and nursing homes, and individuals
receiving medical care at home are especially prone.
Pressure ulcers can become very serious and may even lead to death. The
State of New York has worked to reduce the development and severity of
pressure injuries in hospitals and nursing homes by establishing regu-
lations and requirements for healthcare professionals in the identifica-
tion, treatment, and reporting of pressure ulcers. Family members and
loved ones of people receiving medical care, however, are less likely to
recognize the formation of pressure ulcers and know what action to take.
Posting educational information on pressure ulcers on the New York State
Department of Health website will help to educate the general public and
increase the capacity of loved ones to recognize potential pressure
injuries, as well as learn more about prevention, how to treat, and when
to seek medical care. Information will include federal and state regu-
lations and standards of practice related to treatment of pressure
ulcers in hospitals and nursing homes to help family members of patients
know what to expect and to make informed decisions related to the care
of their loved ones.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9571
IN ASSEMBLY
March 20, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to requiring the
health care and wellness education and outreach program of the depart-
ment of health
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 207 of the public health law is
2 amended by adding a new paragraph (s) to read as follows:
3 (s) The program shall post on the department's website educational
4 information on pressure ulcers for the purpose of advancing recognition
5 in home-based settings and timely treatment. The website shall provide
6 information for the purposes of educating the public and that will be
7 helpful for family members and others who provide home-based care for
8 individuals who are susceptible to developing pressure ulcers. The
9 website shall also include information for family members of patients in
10 hospitals and nursing homes. The information posted shall include images
11 of pressure ulcers, links to useful resources, and the following educa-
12 tional information:
13 (i) an overview of what pressure ulcers are, and how and where on the
14 body they develop;
15 (b) which individuals are susceptible to developing pressure ulcers;
16 (c) descriptions of the stages of pressure ulcers and associated
17 health risks;
18 (d) information on how to prevent the development of pressure ulcers;
19 (e) information on how to treat pressure ulcers at home and when to
20 seek medical care; and
21 (f) references to federal and state regulations and standards of prac-
22 tice regarding identification, treatment, and reporting of pressure
23 ulcers developed by patients in hospitals and nursing homes, including
24 requirements to inform family members or other authorized represen-
25 tatives.
26 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10920-02-4