HJM 67

Page 1

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

HJM 67

Page 2

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

HJM 67

Page 3

transmitted to the secretary of health and the New Mexico

legislative council.