[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 119 (Friday, July 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING SOUTHERN ARIZONA EFFORTS TO ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 14, 2017

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, one cannot overstate the immediate and 
extraordinary threat posed by antimicrobial resistance throughout this 
nation and around the globe. With that in mind, I wish to recognize the 
exceptional work being done in Southern Arizona to combat this scourge.
  We know from the Centers for Disease Control that each year in the 
United States, at least two million people become infected with 
bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and some 23,000 die as a 
direct result. Experts suggest that based on current trends, 
antimicrobial resistance could become the world's single greatest 
killer, surpassing heart disease and cancer, and posing a serious 
economic threat as well. In light of this, there is an urgent demand 
for the development of new antimicrobial compounds and faster 
diagnostic techniques to address this critical issue.
  Residents and visitors in Arizona's Third Congressional District and 
surrounding areas are fortunate to have access to exceptional medical 
services, including those provided by Tucson Medical Center, Southern 
Arizona's locally governed nonprofit regional hospital and leading 
provider for emergency and pediatric care.
  TMC is among the first facilities in the nation to adopt the newest 
superbug-fighting technology. Using the Accelerate Pheno system, 
developed by Tucson's Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc., TMC health 
professionals can rapidly detect and identify bacteria as well as 
determine which antibiotic is most appropriate, and they can do this up 
to 40 hours faster than was possible using conventional techniques.
  I urge all the nation's health facilities to prioritize efforts to 
combat antibiotic resistance using the best available technology, and 
recognize TMC and Accelerate Diagnostics for being leaders on this 
critical issue.

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