[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 454 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 454

    Designating the month of March 2008 as ``MRSA Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           February 14, 2008

Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Specter, and Mr. 
 Brown) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Designating the month of March 2008 as ``MRSA Awareness Month''.

Whereas Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of 
        infection that is resistant to treatment with the usual antibiotics and 
        is one of the most common pathogens that cause Healthcare-Associated 
        Infections (HAIs) in the United States and in many parts of the world;
Whereas a study led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 
        that in 2005 more than 94,000 invasive MRSA infections occurred in the 
        United States and more than 18,500 of these infections resulted in 
        death;
Whereas the percentage of Staphylococcus aureus infections in the United States 
        that are attributable to MRSA has grown from 2 percent in 1974 to 63 
        percent in 2004;
Whereas the annual number of hospitalizations associated with MRSA infections, 
        including both HAIs and community-based infections, more than tripled 
        between 1999 and 2005, from 108,600 to 368,600;
Whereas approximately 85 percent of all invasive MRSA infections were associated 
        with healthcare;
Whereas serious MRSA infections occur most frequently among individuals in 
        hospitals and healthcare facilities, particularly the elderly, those 
        undergoing dialysis, and those with surgical wounds;
Whereas individuals infected with MRSA are most likely to have longer and more 
        expensive hospital stays, with an average cost of $35,000;
Whereas there has been an increase in reported community-acquired staph 
        infection outbreaks, including antibiotic-resistant strains, in States 
        such as Illinois, New York, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, North 
        Carolina, Florida, and the District of Columbia;
Whereas clusters of community-acquired MRSA infections have been reported since 
        the late 1990s among competitive sports teams, correctional facilities, 
        schools, workplaces, military facilities, and other community settings;
Whereas a person who is not infected with MRSA can be a vehicle for the 
        transmission of infections through skin-to-skin contact; and
Whereas many instances of MRSA transmission can be prevented through the use of 
        appropriate hygienic practices, such as hand washing and appropriate 
        first aid for open wounds and active skin infections, are followed: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the need to apply what is already known 
        about reducing the transmission of infections in hospitals, 
        effectively using diagnostics, and ensuring appropriate use and 
        utilization of antibiotics to meet patient and public health 
        needs;
            (2) recognizes the need to pursue operational research to 
        find the best ways of preventing hospital- and community-
        acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 
        developing new antibiotics for improving care for MRSA 
        patients;
            (3) recognizes the importance of raising awareness of MRSA 
        and methods of preventing MRSA infections;
            (4) supports the work of advocates, healthcare 
        practitioners, and science-based experts in educating, 
        supporting, and providing hope for individuals and their 
        families affected by community and healthcare associated 
        infections; and
            (5) designates the month of March 2008 as ``MRSA Awareness 
        Month''.
                                 <all>