SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2437        FILED ON: 3/3/2010

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2299

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Ten

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An Act improving patient care procedures and reducing costs of long term care facilities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the department of public health shall, subject to appropriation, approve the establishment of pilot programs at two long term care facilities licensed pursuant to section 71 of chapter 111 of the general laws to develop and implement a comprehensive urinary incontinence health management program, which will reduce the incidence of and costs associated with urinary incontinence in long term care facilities. One facility shall be located in the western region of the commonwealth and the other shall be located in the southeastern region.  New England Sinai Hospital shall manage the pilot program.

The pilot programs shall encourage adherence to federal TAG F315 guidelines requiring training, assessment, monitoring, and treatment of urinary incontinence of long-term health care facility patients. Success shall be measured by a reduction of incontinent episodes, reduction of use of pads, and improvement in the health and quality of participants’ lives. All medications used in this program shall be approved by the Federal Drug Administration, and must be non-experimental. 

The department of public health and participating long term care facilities shall report their findings and any recommendations to the General Court no later than 90 days after the conclusion of the pilot programs.