HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 67

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Anderson

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF HEALTHCARE-ACQUIRED INFECTION SURVEILLANCE IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, healthcare-acquired infections affect an estimated two million Americans each year; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated ninety thousand Americans die each year from healthcare-acquired infections; and

     WHEREAS, healthcare-acquired infections cost billions of dollars per year nationwide and result in increased expenses to patients for extended hospital stays and additional medication; and

     WHEREAS, many of the deaths and illnesses that result from healthcare-acquired infections are preventable; and

     WHEREAS, preventive measures such as hand washing have been shown to reduce healthcare-acquired infections; and

     WHEREAS, the study and public disclosure of healthcare-acquired infection rates provide a strong incentive for hospitals to improve preventive measures and thereby lower healthcare-acquired infection rates; and

     WHEREAS, reports from private systems suggest that participation in an organized, ongoing system for monitoring healthcare-acquired infections can reduce the rates of healthcare-acquired infections; and

     WHEREAS, several states require public disclosure of healthcare-acquired infection rates; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has an opportunity to be at the forefront of reform with respect to this issue;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health be requested to establish a task force to conduct a comprehensive review of the healthcare-acquired infection studies in the United States; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include a representative from the New Mexico association for professionals in infection control and epidemiology, incorporated; a representative of the New Mexico hospitals and health systems association; a representative of the New Mexico medical review association; and a representative of the university of New Mexico health sciences center; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department of health present a written report regarding the feasibility of healthcare-acquired infection surveillance in New Mexico to the appropriate interim legislative committee no later than November 1, 2007; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that duplicate copies of the department of health's report be filed with the legislative council service library upon presentation of the report to the appropriate interim legislative committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of health and the New Mexico legislative council.

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