SR0546

LRB095 18859 DRJ 44993 r






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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 
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(MRSA)
is a type of staphylococcal infection that is resistant 
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to
treatment with the usual antibiotics; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The proportion of infections which are 
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antimicrobial
resistant in the United States has grown from 2% 
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in 1974 to 63%
in 2004; and

 
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    WHEREAS, MRSA occurs most frequently among individuals in

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hospitals and health care facilities, particularly the 
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elderly,
those undergoing dialysis, and those with surgical 
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wounds; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Individuals infected with MRSA are most likely to

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have longer and more expensive hospital stays; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Clusters of MRSA have been reported since 2000 
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among
competitive sports teams, where it is transmitted through

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personal contact, sharing towels or equipment, and sharing 
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locker
facilities; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Anyone, not just an infected patient, can be a

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vehicle for the transmission of MRSA through skin-to-skin

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contact; and 

 
 


 






SR0546
- 2 -
LRB095 18859 DRJ 44993 r




1
    WHEREAS, MRSA is a preventable disease when appropriate

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hygienic practices, such as hand washing and appropriate first

3
aid for open wounds and active skin infections, are followed;

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and
 
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    WHEREAS, Countries such as Denmark, Finland, and the

6
Netherlands have successfully controlled MRSA through 
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aggressive
interventions; therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the week 
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of June 8, 2008, as "MRSA Awareness Week" in this State; and be 
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it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That we recognize the importance of raising

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awareness of MRSA and methods of preventing MRSA infections.