How are patient data protected when they are reported to the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network system?
The CDC is authorized under federal law, Title III, Section 301, Section 304, and Section 306 of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 241, 242b, 242k, and 242m(d)) to collect data on healthcare associated infections. This assurance provides strict confidentiality for data that could identify an individual or institution. The data are collected for the purposes of quality improvement and program management only. The CDC is prohibited from sharing data with others. Please visit the CDC for additional information on the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System.
