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Gov.
Blagojevich signs legislation to help prevent and control infections
in health care facilities
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Law
requires assessment, control and prevention of multidrug-resistant
organisms in hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities
[August 31, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed
legislation Aug. 20 to help protect the health of people in
hospitals, nursing homes and mental health facilities against
infection.
House Bill 192, sponsored by state Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago,
and state Sen. Donne Trotter, D-Chicago, requires the Illinois
Department of Public Health to create rules to reduce rates of
multidrug-resistant organisms, known as MDROs, and other "super
bugs."
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 "People should feel confident that when they go to a hospital, a
nursing home or other health facility for medical care, they will
not end up worse off with a dangerous infection. This bill will help
make sure facilities are safe and clean, and will help reduce the
risk of infection for patients," said Blagojevich.House Bill 192
aims to reduce the rising number of MDROs, such as methicillin-resistant
staphylococcus aureus and other "super bugs." MRSA is a type of
bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics such as methicillin,
oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin. According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, staph infections, including MRSA,
occur most frequently among people in hospitals and health care
facilities (such as nursing homes and dialysis centers) who have
weakened immune systems.
The law will require health care facilities regulated or licensed
by the Department of Public Health, as well as facilities for mental
health and the developmentally disabled that are overseen by the
Illinois Department of Human Services, to perform annual infection
control risk assessments throughout each facility; develop infection
control policies for MDROs, enforce hand hygiene and contact
precaution requirements, and incorporate any updated MDRO prevention
and control recommendations issued by the CDC.
"House Bill 192 is a comprehensive bill because it addresses all
MDROs, and not just MRSAs. I thank the governor for signing this
bill that will help the state keep Illinoisans healthier and safer,"
said Flowers, House sponsor of the legislation.
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The bill calls for the Department of Public Health to:
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Publicize guidelines
for reducing the incidence of MDROs and provide periodic reports
and updates based on news developments.
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Publish a yearly
report on MRSA and clostridium difficile -- another multidrug-resistant
organism.
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Report in the
Hospital Report Card any MDRO infections that lead to specific
bloodstream infections and pneumonia.
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Implement
surveillance for community-acquired MRSA infections for at least
three years.
While signing House Bill 192 into law, the governor also vetoed
Senate Bill 233, a similar piece of legislation that was not as
comprehensive and multifaceted. House Bill 192 addresses
hospital-acquired infections, including but not limited to MRSA, and
begins to address the issue of community-acquired MRSA.
The legislation goes into effect immediately.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health news release received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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