(1) The development of a public health awareness campaign on health care-associated infections to be known as the Community Awareness Program. The program shall provide information to the public on causes and symptoms of health care-associated infections, diagnosis and treatment prevention methods and the proper use of antimicrobial agents.

(2) The consideration and determination of the feasibility of establishing an active surveillance program involving other entities, such as athletic teams or correctional facilities for the purpose of identifying those persons in the community that are colonized and at risk of susceptibility to and transmission of MRSA bacteria.

(3) The review of each health care facility's and ambulatory surgical facility's infection control plan. This review shall be performed pursuant to the department's authority under the Health Care Facilities Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(4) The development of recommendations and best practices that implement and effectuate improved screenings and cultures and other means for the reduction and elimination of health care-associated infections.

(5) The development of recommendations regarding evidence-based screening protocols for an individual with MRSA and MDRO prior to admission to a hospital.

(6) The review of strategic assessments under section 404(c)¹ and the provision of assistance to hospitals in implementing a qualified electronic surveillance system pursuant to the requirements of section 404(d) and (e).

(7) The development of a methodology, in consultation with the authority and the council, for determining and assessing the rate of health care-associated infections that occur in health care facilities in this Commonwealth. This methodology shall be used:

(8) The development, in consultation with the authority and the council, of reasonable benchmarks to measure the progress health care facilities make toward reducing health care-associated infections. Beginning in 2010, all health care facilities shall be measured against these benchmarks. A health care facility with a rate of health care-associated infections that does not meet the benchmark appropriate to that type of facility shall be required to submit a plan of correction to the department within 60 days of receiving notification that the rate does not meet the benchmark. After 180 days, a facility that has not shown progress in reducing its rate of infection shall consult with and obtain department approval for a new plan of correction that includes resources available to assist the health care facility. After an additional 180 days, a facility that fails to show progress in reducing its rate of infection may be subject to action under The Health Care Facilities Act.

(9) Publishing a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of the specific benchmarks the department shall use to measure the progress of health care facilities in reducing health care-associated infections. Prior to publishing the notice, the department shall seek public comments for at least 30 days. The department shall respond to the comments it receives during the 30-day public comment period.