Federal Council approves new mandatory reporting regulation for the Infection Protection Act

21.03.2016 13:36

On March 18, the Federal Council approved the IfSG reporting requirement adjustment regulation presented by the Federal Ministry of Health. This will tighten the reporting requirements for antibiotic-resistant pathogens and introduce a new reporting requirement for so-called arboviruses, such as the Zika virus. The regulation is scheduled to come into force in May 2016.

“We cannot accept 10,000 to 15,000 deaths every year as a result of hospital infections. That is why we are resolutely implementing the 10-point plan to combat resistant pathogens. The stricter reporting requirements are an important component in the fight against dangerous hospital infections and increasing antibiotic resistance. Reporting a pathogen as early as possible is essential in order to be able to effectively protect patients.

The new reporting requirements concern certain bacteria that are resistant to the group of antibiotics known as carbapenems. According to the regulation, laboratory evidence of these pathogens must therefore be reported to the health department not only if a person is infected with them, but also if there is mere colonization of the human body. In the event of a report, it must be ensured that the necessary infection protection measures are taken in the medical facility.

With the IfSG reporting requirement adjustment regulation, laboratory detection of arboviruses also becomes subject to reporting. These are pathogens that are primarily transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. In addition to the chikungunya virus, the dengue virus and the West Nile virus, this also includes the Zika virus.

With the Hospital Structure Act, a corresponding hygiene funding program was continued and expanded in order to attract more skilled workers and promote further training in the field of infectious diseases. The nursing home funding program and the nursing surcharge, which will provide hospitals with a total of up to 830 million euros in addition per year, are also intended to help improve staffing levels in hospitals.