FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 22

92^ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1714L.01I

         Whereas, in order to continue to provide improved services to patients in this state, improving patient information regarding elective surgical procedures and their risks and complications is needed; and

            Whereas, the lack of information regarding surgery, surgical risks, and post surgical complications contributes to patient dissatisfaction, over utilization of the health care system, malpractice claims, and the rising cost of healthcare; and

            Whereas, the Department of Health and Senior Services, in conjunction with the Department of Insurance and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Hospitals and Clinics, shall establish the "Comprehensive Patient Education and Healthcare Cost Improvement Pilot Program" which will develop and incorporate effective patient education programs into the preoperative consultation and informed consent process; and

            Whereas, the Comprehensive Patient Education and Healthcare Cost Improvement Pilot Program shall be implemented no later than six months after funding for the pilot program is made available, and shall have a duration of three years; and

            Whereas, the Comprehensive Patient Education and Healthcare Cost Improvement Pilot Program shall, prior to the patient consenting to elective surgery:

            (1) Use an educational system that visually explains to the patient in simple terms the entire surgical procedure;

            (2) Fully discloses to the patient in simple terms all known complications and their frequencies based on accepted medical literature;

            (3) Allows the patient access to the education outside the surgeon's office;

            (4) Fully documents the patient education process; and

            (5) Collects outcome data after surgery; and

            Whereas, the Department of Health and Senior Services shall monitor the pilot program and report to the Director of the Department of Insurance and the General Assembly on the effectiveness of such program by the second week of the regular session of the General Assembly in the next session following completion of the Pilot Program; and

            Whereas, the report shall include an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the patient education process, including but not limited to:

            (1) The effect of the Pilot Program on the reduction of medical malpractice claims;

            (2) Patient satisfaction concerning the education process;

            (3) Doctors' feedback concerning the Pilot Program;

            (4) Total number of surgical procedures performed;

            (5) A comparison of Medicaid dollars spent on relevant surgical procedures versus the previous year and projected year; and

            (6) Suggestions for improving the educational system or its implementation, if any:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-second General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby direct the Department of Health and Senior Services to create the "Comprehensive Patient Education and Healthcare Cost Improvement Pilot Program"; and

            Be it further resolved that this resolution be sent to the Governor for his approval or rejection pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.