Indiana tracks trauma injuries and requires safe infectious waste handling

The state health department maintains a registry and uses it to study trauma care. Hospitals, trauma centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and emergency medical services providers that transport patients must submit trauma data. The department may also request relevant data from state agencies. Registry data must protect patient identities, identify facilities by code or another label, and avoid or limit duplicate entries. The department may remove a facility’s trauma-center designation for failing to report, or may make a facility or EMS provider ineligible for department programs or funding. Hospitals and related facilities report by set deadlines after each three-month period. EMS providers report by the 15th day of each month in which an incident occurred.

People who generate infectious waste remain responsible for its safe handling, treatment, transport, and disposal. These requirements apply to people who generate infectious waste and anyone who handles it, including people hired to provide waste services. A person may hire someone else to provide these services, but that person must also follow the chapter’s requirements. Waste must be kept in suitable containers. Reusable containers generally must be disinfected after they are emptied, unless a protective disposable liner or similar device was removed with the waste. Waste must receive effective treatment before it is stored in an unsecured area or sent for final disposal. If stored before disposal, it must be kept in a secure area.

Medical schools must include nutrition education and require students to complete a rural health rotation. The requirements apply to medical schools operating in Indiana. A medical school is an Indiana postsecondary institution that offers a graduate or postgraduate degree in medicine. Medical schools must meet both requirements by July 1, 2030.