Vitale Statement Following Hearing on Viral Outbreaks at NJ Health Care Facilities

Identifies Potential Remedies

TRENTON – Senator Joe Vitale, the chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, issued the following statement after the public hearing on the outbreak of infectious diseases at several health care facilities, including the spread of adenovirus at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.

“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones affected by the unfortunate events at Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation and University Hospital. These were heartbreaking tragedies for parents and other family members. We mourn with you and empathize with your sadness and anger.

“Today’s hearing was held to understand what happened and to identify ways to prevent and contain future facility-based outbreaks. It was a fact-finding session intended to identify shortcomings and failures so that any needed reforms in practices and care can be put in place.

“To accomplish this, we want to understand the timeline and sequence of events that occurred at each of the facilities, what protocols were employed, and the state’s response. We want to make use of what we are learning so we can offer our assistance as legislators and policy makers to identify changes that will prevent anything like this from happening again.

“We need to wait for the investigatory report by the Commissioner of Health to fully determine the root causes at all the facilities so we may develop the reforms, improvements and remedies, but today’s hearing helped identify potential areas for improvement.

“We should consider requiring outbreak preparedness plans at all these facilities that outline what actions should be taken as soon as an outbreak is identified. This will help ensure the proper protocols are being followed and that the proper training has taken place to effectively contain the infectious disease.

“We should revisit notification standards that determine when the Department of Health is notified of an infectious disease outbreak and when parents are informed. There is a moral responsibility to keep the families informed about the health and well-being of their loved ones and state health officials need to be notified in a timely manner so they can respond rapidly and appropriately.

“We should consider adding an infectious disease requirement to CME credits, particularly for those clinicians working with such vulnerable and complex populations, so that medical personnel are trained to effectively prevent, identify, and respond to outbreaks.

“I also urge the top management officials at these and other facilities to focus on the standards of excellence that are required in the operations of their facilities, the practices and protocols of their health care workers and the quality of care given to their patients. Effective leadership is one of the essential ingredients in achieving and maintaining high quality care.

“We will continue to investigate these incidents, review the policies and practices now in place, and work with others to identify needed reforms and improvements. Our work is not yet complete.”