1123-S AMH CAMP MORI 027

SHB 1123 - H AMD 218

By Representative Campbell

ADOPTED 3/09/2009

    On page 1, beginning on line 11, strike all of subsection (a) and insert the following:

    "(a) A requirement to test any patient for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus who is a member of a patient population identified as appropriate to test based on the hospital's risk assessment for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus;

    (b) A requirement that a patient in the hospital's adult or pediatric, but not neonatal, intensive care unit be tested for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus within twenty-four hours of admission unless the patient has been previously tested during that hospital stay or has a known history of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus;"

    On page 1, at the beginning of line 16, strike "(b)" and insert "(c)"

    On page 2, at the beginning of line 7, strike "(c)" and insert "(d)"

    On page 2, beginning on line 17, strike all of subsection (3)

    On page 5, beginning on line 31, after "aureus" strike "beyond what is required under section 1 of this act" and insert "prior to open chest cardiac, total hip, and total knee elective surgeries"

EFFECT:   Removes the requirement that any surgical patient be tested for MRSA if the hospital's risk assessment for MRSA indicates that he or she faces risk of active infection during the surgical procedure.  Instead, requires MRSA testing for any patient who is a member of a patient population identified as appropriate to test based on the hospital's risk assessment for MRSA.  Provides an exception for mandatory MRSA testing of a patient in a hospital's adult or pediatric intensive care unit; such a patient does not have to be tested if the patient has a known history of MRSA.  Limits the scope of the recommendations of the advisory committee on health care-related infections; requires the advisory committee to make recommendations regarding expanding MRSA testing prior to open chest cardiac, total hip, and total knee elective surgeries (the underlying bill requires the committee to make recommendations regarding expanding pre-surgical MRSA screenings beyond what is required in the act).

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