Representative Tom Campbell
Photo from Representative Campbell’s official website

FROM REP. CAMPBELL’S PRESS RELEASE:
OLYMPIA The state Senate today [April 13] concurred unanimously with the House in passing tough new procedures to help prevent the spread of infections acquired in hospitals and other health facilities.

Over the past five years, twenty-six other states have passed legislation that requires hospitals to track and report their rates of infection. A handful of those have gone a step further to combat the infections. Their concerns are valid, believes State Representative Tom Campbell (R Roy), the prime sponsor of the legislation. In 2007 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that approximately 94,360 people nationwide developed a serious methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in 2005. Of these people, the CDC estimated that approximately 18,650 died during a hospital stay related to the infection.

Campbells bill, HB 1123, requires better testing and safeguards against MRSA, the flesh-eating bacteria dubbed a superbug due to its drug-resistance. The MRSA bacteria can be spread quite easily through skin contact. Some of these infections are minor; others however, can lead to serious complications, even death, for hospital patients already fighting other illnesses.

Campbells bill lays out minimum guidelines and policy procedures that must be adopted by state health care facilities, including:

A procedure for identifying and testing “at-risk patients” for MRSA.

Appropriate procedures to help prevent patients who test positive from infecting other

patients, including segregation; and

A requirement that every patient who tests positive for MRSA be given oral and written

instructions regarding aftercare and precautions to prevent further spread of the infection.

Campbells bill met stiff opposition from hospital administration and health care providers that are concerned tighter regulations could drive up the cost of health care. But Campbell believes testing for the problem will be less expensive than dealing with the aftermath of prolonged illness, potential deaths, and the ensuing liability.

With the right procedures and guidelines in place, the rate of hospital-acquired infections can be greatly reduced, said Campbell. But, as is often the case when protecting the average citizen, it just took the state stepping in to say, Enough is enough, take care of this problem before it gets any worse.

CONGRATULATIONS REP. CAMPBELL!

UPDATE April 15, 2009
FROM REP. CAMPBELL’S PRESS RELEASE:
State Senate passes Campbells hospital-readiness bill

OLYMPIA – You wouldnt tip off a restaurant that the health inspector is dropping by, and if it were up to State Rep. Tom Campbell (R Roy), hospital inspections would also occur without warning to prove their standards are up to code.

The Department of Health conducts hospital surveys and audits to enforce standards and rules to ensure the safe care of patients. Under current law, however, DOH is required to give a four-week notice prior to an inspection.

Campbells bill, which received undisputed support in the House last month, removes that requirement. The Senate agreed with the Republican lawmaker Tuesday [April 14, 2009], unanimously supporting House Bill 1021.

I was a captain in the Army and I always liked it when I knew an inspection was coming, said Campbell. But they dont tell you that. And thats a good thing because youre ready for it all the time. We would like the hospitals, likewise, to be on ready status all the time.

This legislation comes on the heels of the Senates unanimous support of Campbells HB 1123 on Monday. That bill, which requires new procedures for hospitals and other health care facilities to test for and prevent the spread of MRSA, is part of a plan to further protect patients while in hospital care.

In 2007 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that approximately 94,360 people nationwide developed a serious methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in 2005. Of these people, the CDC estimated that approximately 18,650 died during a hospital stay related to the infection.

With the right procedures and guidelines in place, the rate of hospital-acquired infections can be greatly reduced, Campbell said. But, as is often the case when protecting the average citizen, it just took the state stepping in to say, Enough is enough, take care of this problem before it gets any worse.

Following concurrence regarding the amendment adopted in the Senate, the bill will be sent to the Governors desk for signing into law.