Title: An act relating to multidrug resistant organisms.

Brief Description: Establishing a system for monitoring invasive methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles and Oemig.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/24/08.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common multidrug-resistant organism. It can be present and not cause infection in an individual. It can be transmitted by person-to-person contact or through contact with contaminated objects. MRSA can cause mild to serious infections and severely ill patients are the most vulnerable to serious MRSA infections, especially those with compromised immune systems, those who have recently had surgery, or implanted medical devices.

An invasive MRSA is one located in a culture that is derived from a normally sterile body site, including: blood, cerebrospinal fluid, joint/synovial fluid, bone or internal body site.

Summary of Bill: A system to monitor invasive MRSA is established. Laboratories are required to notify local health jurisdictions about confirmed cases of invasive MRSA and health care providers are required to notify the local health jurisdiction of any known risk factors associated with the infection and its potential source. Local health jurisdictions are to investigate reported cases of invasive MRSA and report to the Department of Health (DOH).

DOH will assist local health jurisdictions to develop a strategy to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant organisms. Local health jurisdictions will establish a control strategy including an infection control and prevention plan, an antibiotic utilization plan and an agricultural education plan. The control strategy is to be submitted to DOH by July 1, 2009.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2008.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We support the bill and recommend using the Pierce County advisory committee.

OTHER: There should be greater public education on this issue and we recommend voluntary compliance with existing surveillance efforts. We support DOH in implementing the recommendations from the special MRSA panel, rather than mandating these measures.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Jay Gordon, Washington State Dairy Federation.

OTHER: Dr. Robert Thompson, Infectious Disease Society of Washington; Lois Lux, Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department; Dr. Diana Yu, Thurston County Health Department; Lisa Thatcher, Washington State Hospital Association.