SR1638 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1638 LRB100 21706 MST 39212 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is resistant to treatment with the usual antibiotics and is the most common pathogen that causes Healthcare-Associated infections (HAIs) in the United States and around the world; and

WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 80,400 invasive MRSA infections in 2011, and MRSA invasive infection rates do not include MRSA surgical site infections, which are 90% of all MRSA infections; including MRSA surgical site infection rates, the total number of MRSA healthcare-associated infections is 723,600; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists MRSA as a serious threat that requires prompt and sustained action to prevent the spread of MRSA which can cause severe problems such as blood stream, surgical site, central-line, and pneumonia infections; severe cases can cause sepsis and death; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the overuse of antibiotics is fueling dangerously high resistant levels; the former global director of the WHO has stated that "The rise of antibiotic resistance is a global crisis", and "antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is on the rise in every region of the world"; and

WHEREAS, According to the Illinois Department of Health's (IDPH) 2015 data, there were 17,578 healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) cases from Illinois hospitals, and Illinois continues to have an ongoing MRSA epidemic; 75% of the patients infected with MRSA were 50 years of age or older with higher mortality rates; community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infection rates continue still to be an unreported disease; and

WHEREAS, The U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) has been universally screening all patients upon admission for MRSA in all of their 150 facilities since 2007 and has reduced their MRSA hospital infection rates by over 80%, with 49.4% in long-term care facilities; and

WHEREAS, Individuals infected with MRSA are most likely to have longer and more expensive hospital stays, with the average cost between $35,000 to $120,000; and

WHEREAS, MRSA is a major factor in the annual price tag for treating healthcare-associated infections in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Anyone, not just infected patients but also MRSA colonized carriers, can be a vehicle for transmission of MRSA through skin-to-skin or object contact; and

WHEREAS, MRSA is a preventable disease with appropriate contact precautions, including strict adherence to hand hygiene and the decontamination of surfaces and the environment, along with a good antibiotic stewardship program in healthcare facilities; and

WHEREAS, Raising awareness of MRSA is important to the prevention of MRSA infections; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support the work of patient advocates and organizations such as the MRSA Survivors Network in educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals and their families affected by community and healthcare-associated infections; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we acknowledge the 10th anniversary of World MRSA Day, October 2, and the 10th anniversary of World MRSA Awareness Month in October; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we declare October 2, 2018 as "MRSA Day" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the MRSA Survivors Network as a symbol of our respect and esteem.