CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ – MRSA Survivors Network, the prominent patient and consumer advocate organization are launching their new global awareness campaign – International MRSA Testing Week, April 1-7 , an annual designated observance to raise awareness for active detection (screening) for MRSA to surgical and high risk patients before admission to a healthcare facility. The global awareness week also draws attention for the urgent need for healthcare and community facilities to test frequently touched surfaces for MRSA and other pathogens and to effectively clean and decontaminate the environment. MRSA can live on surfaces for weeks, is spread by contact and a simple nasal swab can save lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) more Americans (nearly 20,000) die of invasive MRSA infections every year, more than from HIV/AIDS, but many believe that the true number is over 100,000 deaths occurring  from MRSA every year in the United States.

“MRSA, healthcare-acquired infections (HAI’s) and antimicrobial resistance must become a top political priority worldwide,” states Jeanine Thomas. “In the United States many MRSA victims are becoming permanently disabled, bankrupt and homeless; it is so tragic because it is preventable.”

More than 200 studies support the need for active detection and isolation (ADI) to control MRSA along with decolonizing MRSA positive patients. Why does the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still not strongly recommend this approach in their HICPAC CDC guidelines in controlling multi drug-resistant organisms (MDRO’s) while another U.S. federal agency – the VA Health Systems screens all of their patients since 2008? The CDC came out recently with a press release stating that MRSA infection rates have dropped by 18%, but no data was included to substantiate their claim. Why the lack of transparency?

While over one-third of U.S. hospitals currently (that includes all of the VA healthcare facilities)  screen patients for MRSA, every single healthcare facility should implement active detection and isolation (ADI) to reduce MRSA infection rates and save lives.  Healthcare facilities must implement a bundled-comprehensive approach to controlling MRSA colonization and infections; active detection and isolation, decolonization of carriers (MRSA positive patients), decontamination of frequently touched surfaces, strict adherence to hand hygiene and good stewardship/prudent use of antibiotics

“Too many lives are lost from preventable MRSA infections worldwide,” states Jeanine Thomas, founder of MRSA Survivors Network. “Antimicrobial resistance will continue to increase if we do not work hard to prevent MRSA and other infections such asC. difficile and VRE.”

To assist healthcare facilities and community organizations to raise awareness during International MRSA Testing Week, April 1-7th, MRSA Survivors Network is creating downloadable posters, web banners, a brochure and e-card which will be available on the MRSA Survivors Network website. A 15 second Public Service Announcement (PSA) with Mr. Rob Stafford, anchor for NBC Chicago evening news and contributing correspondent with Dateline NBC has been produced and can be seen on the MRSA Survivors Network website and YouTube channel - http://youtu.be/qA6OFlzsCwI .

MRSA Survivors Network operates the only MRSA Crisis Hotline in the United States (630 325-4354) for MRSA victims, their families and caregivers. MSN also provides wound care items directly to disadvantaged MRSA surgical site infection patients.

MRSA Survivors Network was the first patient/consumer nonprofit organization in the U.S. to raise the alarm about MRSA and healthcare-acquired infections beginning in 2002 and founded World MRSA Day, October 2 and MRSA Awareness Month, October in 2009 to raise awareness to the worldwide MRSA epidemic. Jeanine Thomas, founder, national spokesperson and conference speaker is a survivor of MRSA sepsis and C. difficile.

For information on corporate or individual sponsorship opportunities for the International MRSA Testing Week campaign, to donate, volunteer or to have Jeanine Thomas to speak at your conference contact us at: Tel: 630 325-4354, email:jthomas@MRSAsurvivors.org www.MRSAsurvivors.org, www.worldMRSAday.org

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CHICAGO, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The ongoing MRSA epidemic continues to be a major global threat and MRSA emerged into the world over fifty years ago. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterium spread and mutated for decades throughout Europe and other continents, which has had a devastating and fatal effect on patients in healthcare facilities worldwide and now in the community. World MRSA Awareness Month, October and World MRSA Day, October 2 are annual observances to raise awareness and the United States Senate passed a senate resolution in 2009 designating these dates.

“MRSA Survivors Network brings critical attention and awareness for the need for MRSA prevention, treatment, educational and awareness campaigns to the public worldwide”, states Jeanine Thomas, founder of World MRSA Awareness Month, World MRSA Day and MRSA Survivors Network.

The Global theme for World MRSA Awareness Month is “The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action”. International Infection Prevention Week is October 16-22, 2011.

The 3rd Annual World MRSA Day kickoff event on October 1, 2011 at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine was a huge success and is building every year. The community and healthcare industry came together to raise awareness for MRSA and the event was watched live via web stream around the world by thousands. Dr. William R. Jarvis, a world-renowned MRSA and infectious disease specialist and formerly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was Keynote Speaker. Monica E. Oduber, an Aruban artist exhibited her three MRSA paintings at the October 1, 2011 event and is the first to draw worldwide attention to the MRSA epidemic and to the human suffering from MRSA infections through art.

2011 Sponsors are: Tec Labs, Roche, Pfizer, BD, Cepheid, Loyola University Health System and media sponsor NBC Chicago.

Downloadable posters, web banners, a brochure and e-card can be found at the World MRSA Day web site to help raise awareness. Events are being held throughout the month of October in the United States and the United Kingdom in hospitals, universities, churches and community centers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must immediately develop and implement a MRSA surveillance and reporting system for all countries, collect MRSA infection and colonization data and release the data so the true magnitude of the MRSA global epidemic can become apparent worldwide. Transparency is imperative.

This year the Veteran’s Administration (VA) Healthcare System reported the results of their MRSA intervention. Through the use of active detection and isolation (ADI), a large number of VA hospitals nationwide were able to significantly reduce MRSA colonization and infection and save many lives. Thus, similar to previous data reported by Evanston Hospital, universal screening of admissions for MRSA combined with placing MRSA-colonized or infected patients in contact isolation, reinforcing hand hygiene and environmental cleaning significantly reduces MRSA infections. Given that nearly 20,000 persons who die of invasive MRSA infections in U.S. healthcare facilities each year, how long will health officials wait until ADI is mandated for the control of MRSA in healthcare facilities in the U.S. and worldwide?

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CHICAGO, Sept. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Fifty years ago this October, MRSA emerged into the world and is now a major global epidemic and the most common cause of antimicrobial resistant pathogen healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in most U.S. healthcare facilities.

“The MRSA pandemic continues to be a major public health threat and crisis along with other antimicrobial- resistant pathogens and must become a top political priority worldwide,” states Jeanine Thomas, founder of MRSA Survivors Network and World MRSA Day.

The third annual World MRSA Day kickoff event and Global MRSA Summit at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine will be held on October 1, 2011 in Maywood, Illinois and will broadcast live via web stream on MRSA Survivors Network’s website and the World MRSA Day website. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. central with a Remembrance Ceremony and prayer by Reverend Henry Soles, senior chaplain for the Chicago Bulls basketball team to remember and honor all of those who have lost their lives to MRSA around the world. The event is open to the public with free parking and families are encouraged to attend.

Sponsors are: Tec Labs, Roche, Pfizer, BD, Loyola University Health System and media sponsor NBC Chicago.

Keynote Speaker is Dr. William R. Jarvis of Jason & Jarvis Associates LLC, a world-renowned MRSA expert and formerly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mr. Rob Stafford, anchor of the NBC Chicago evening news and contributing correspondent for NBC Dateline is the emcee. Dr. Jorge Parada, Associate Professor of Medicine and Infectious Disease Specialist at Loyola University Health System also will be presenting along with Dr. Michael Pulia. MRSA survivors and their family members will speak and share their personal stories. Music is provided by Tracy Jackson of the King of Glory Tabernacle Choir. After the awards ceremony there will be a 30 minute seminar for those in the community who want to learn more about MRSA, how to get involved, raise awareness and become a ‘MRSA Survivors Champion’ in their own community.

Monica E. Oduber, an artist from Aruba has created the first MRSA painting ‘Starseed’ to draw attention to the MRSA epidemic and will exhibit several of her paintings during the October 1, 2011 event and hopes other artists around the world will become inspired.
The 2011 global theme is ‘The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action’ brings critical attention to the public health crisis. MRSA Survivors Network urgently pleas for the World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to finally recognize the MRSA pandemic and set up a worldwide surveillance program and strongly recommend pro-active implementation of ADI to control MRSA in healthcare facilities.

MRSA Survivors Network, the prominent global non-profit organization was the first to raise the alarm about the MRSA epidemic in the United States and launched their global MRSA awareness campaign by founding and organizing the Chicago World MRSA Day kickoff event in 2009. To help raise awareness, MRSA Survivors Network has produced with True Productions the first non-profit public service announcements (PSA’s) for general MRSA awareness with Mr. Rob Stafford of NBC Chicago and they are airing on NBC Chicago stations and also can be viewed on MRSA Survivors Network’s YouTube channel. Downloadable posters, web banners and a brochure are available at the World MRSA Day web site.

MRSA Survivors Network announces their 2011 awards and will honor recipients during the October 1, 2011 event; Barry M. Farr M.D., Emeritus of UVA is recipient of the ‘Humanitarian Award’ for his outstanding work, dedication and service to raising awareness and preventing MRSA infections. ‘Man of the Year’ award recipient is Loren G. Miller, M.D. M.P.H., Associate Professor of Medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine and investigator of CA-MRSA treatment and prevention at the Los Angeles BioMedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and ‘Woman of the Year’ is Illinois State Representative Patti Bellock who is being honored for her groundbreaking MRSA legislation and awareness. The ‘Public Service’ award is presented to the Veterans Administration Health System for their exemplary dedication to patient safety in preventing MRSA infections. Loyola University Health System will receive the ‘Hospital Leader Award’ for their dedication in reducing MRSA infections using ADI.

Since 2007, Loyola University Medical Center has been among the first hospitals in the nation to initiate several aggressive strategies to detect and reduce MRSA, including screening hospital patients and offering a clinic, dedicated to treating MRSA. “Loyola’s effort to control MRSA has been recognized and lauded at national and international infectious disease meetings,” states Jorge Parada, medical director of the infection control program.

World MRSA Awareness Month, October – Times Square, New York City

World MRSA Day, October 2 and World MRSA Awareness Month is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against MRSA, healthcare-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance while increasing awareness, improving education, and emphasizing the importance of prevention through screening.

To help raise awareness for World MRSA Awareness Month a photo along with a caption will be featured on Reuters/PRNewswire’s digital billboard the first week of October and will be viewed by over one million people.

MRSA Survivors Network’s European alliance partner, MRSA Action UK will be participating in events throughout October, World MRSA Awareness Month in England; October 12, 2011 –NHS Trust, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and October 17, 2011 Dorset County Hospital, NHS Foundation.

Other U.S. events are taking place at: MRSA Missions- Immanuel Lutheran Church, Altamont, Illinois starting at 10:00 a.m. with prayer, guest speakers and refreshments and in Salt Lake City, Utah a memorial event is planned. Many V.A. hospitals have planned MRSA awareness programs during the month of October.

For further information on how you can get involved, be a sponsor, volunteer or donate, contact MRSA Survivors Network at jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org, 630-325-4354 USA or visit us at www.Twitter.com/MRSAsurvivors or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MRSASurvivorsNetwork.

Article originally published: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-mrsa-day-event-to-broadcast-live—october-1-2011-129366998.html

CHICAGO, Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The third annual World MRSA Day kickoff event and Global MRSA Summit at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois on October 1, 2011 will broadcast live via web stream starting at 10:30 a.m. central time and can be viewed at www.worldmrsaday.org and www.MRSAsurvivors.org.  The event is open to the public, free of charge and entire families are encouraged to attend.

“The community and healthcare industry are uniting together to raise awareness of the worldwide MRSA epidemic,” states Jeanine Thomas, founder of World MRSA Day and MRSA Survivors Network.  The 2011 global theme is “The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action.” World MRSA Day and World MRSA Awareness Month have been observed annually since 2009 to raise awareness and educate the public worldwide. MRSA Survivors Network has given hope and support to MRSA survivors and families since 2003 and runs the only MRSA crisis hot line in the United States.

Sponsors are: Tec Labs, Roche, Pfizer, Loyola University Health System and media sponsor NBC Chicago.

The October 1, 2011 annual kickoff event begins with the Remembrance Ceremony and bagpipe music by the Chicago Highlanders, followed by a prayer from Reverend Henry Soles, senior chaplain for the Chicago Bulls basketball team in honor of all of the MRSA victims around the world who have lost their life to this preventable disease. A moment of silence will be observed.

Mr. Rob Stafford, anchor for NBC Chicago nightly news and contributing correspondent for NBC Dateline is emcee. Dr. William R. Jarvis, president of Jason and Jarvis Associates LLC, a world-renowned MRSA expert and formerly with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the keynote speaker. Also speaking are Illinois senate president John Cullerton, Dr.Jorge Parada - director of infectious disease and medical director of the infection control program at Loyola University Chicago,Jeanine Thomas of MRSA Survivors Network and MRSA survivors will share their personal stories. Soloist Tracy Jackson ofChicago will be performing.

MRSA Survivor Network’s 2011 award recipients are: Dr. Barry M. Farr – “Humanitarian Award,” “Woman of the Year” – Illinois State Rep. Patti Bellock, “Man of the Year” – Dr. Loren G. Miller, “Public Service Award” – Veterans Administration Health System, “Hospital Leader Award” – Loyola University Health System and “Legacy Sponsor Award” – Tec Laboratories, Inc.

A thirty minute seminar for the public will be conducted right after the awards ceremony. The seminar and presentation will teach individuals on how they can become a MRSA Survivors Champion in their community and raise awareness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) must immediately take a leadership position through the development and implementation of a worldwide MRSA surveillance and reporting system. Such a system would facilitate the collection of data on MRSA infections and colonization. The public release of such data would illustrate the true magnitude of the MRSA pandemic worldwide and facilitate the implementation of evidence-based prevention interventions that are so desperately needed. Transparency is essential. Active detection and isolation (ADI) for MRSA, as has been documented in Denmark, Holland and selected other settings as an extremely effective method to prevent and control MRSA colonization and infection, should be fully implemented in all healthcare facilities worldwide where MRSA is prevalent. Recent data from the U.S. Veteran’s Administration hospital system documents that ADI is effective in dramatically reducing MRSA infections even in healthcare facilities where MRSA has been endemic for many, many years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that approximately 18,000 persons die of invasive MRSA healthcare-associated infections (HAI’s) in U.S. healthcare facilities annually. During the last decade, nearly 100,000 persons have died from invasive MRSA infections. Thus, more persons die from just invasive (not all) MRSA-HAI’s than from HIV/AIDS each year.

The failure of government officials worldwide (except for a small number in Western Europe) to acknowledge the extent of the problem of MRSA in their healthcare facilities is a significant barrier to addressing the global MRSA epidemic. Increasingly it is being recognized that MRSA is not just prevalent in the human population, but also is being increasingly recognized in animals, the environment and even in our food supplies.

MRSA Survivors Network’s European alliance partner, MRSA Action UK will be holding and participating in events throughout October, World MRSA Awareness Month in England. Other U.S. events are taking place in Altamont, Illinois- MRSA Missions,University of Illinois Medical School, Peoria, IL, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sioux Falls, S.D., and several universities in the United States.

Aruba artist, Monica E. Oduber, has created the first MRSA painting ‘Starseed’ to draw attention to the MRSA epidemic and plans to exhibit her MRSA paintings during the Chicago World MRSA Day kickoff event on October 1, 2011 and this will be the first international exhibit of her paintings to raise awareness for MRSA.

Jeanine Thomas, founder of World MRSA Day and MRSA Survivors Network was the first patient and consumer advocate to raise the alarm about MRSA and HAI’s in the United States and has been a positive force for change. She became infected during ankle surgery and was critically ill with MRSA sepsis, osteomyelitis, complicating C. difficile infection; from these she nearly died.

For further information on how your company or organization can become an official sponsor, volunteer or donate, contact MRSA Survivors Network at jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org, 630 325-4354 USA or visit us at Twitter -www.Twitter.com/MRSAsurvivors or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MRSASurvivorsNetwork.

CONTACT: Jeanine Thomas, +1-630 325-4354, jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org

CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The 3rd Annual World MRSA Day Kickoff Event and Global MRSA Summit will be held October 1, 2011 at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine in Maywood, Illinois. The 2011 Global theme is: ‘The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action.’

“The rapidly escalating human suffering and loss of life from MRSA in the United States and in other countries needs to be recognized and an immediate international response for prevention, awareness and education is imperative,” states Jeanine Thomas founder of MRSA Survivors Network and World MRSA Day. MRSA deaths in the Unites States have surpassed the number of those dying from HIV/AIDS every year.

A study released this year shows a projection of MRSA infections in the United States to rise from 2.9 million to 4.2 million from 2009-2015 and skin infection treatment days in the United States are projected to rise from 20 million to 30 million from 2009-2015 and with a yearly estimated cost of $9.5 billion. Yet the response from international and U.S. health officials has been silence.

The World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) must begin to understand that the MRSA and antimicrobial resistance global crisis has been seriously neglected and deserves immediate attention from institutional and health authorities in developed and developing nations. The denial among government officials of either the existence of MRSA or its prevalence is a significant barrier to addressing the global MRSA epidemic. MRSA is not just prevalent in humans but also in animals, the environment and in food supplies.

The WHO, UN and CDC must immediately develop and implement a MRSA surveillance and reporting system for all countries, collect MRSA infection and colonization data and release the data so the true magnitude of the MRSA pandemic can become apparent worldwide. Transparency is imperative. Active detection and isolation (ADI) in all health care facilities worldwide should be implemented.

The World MRSA Day Kickoff event and Global MRSA Summit on October 1, 2011 at Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine will broadcast live via web stream and bring together MRSA experts, MRSA survivors, family members, health officials, university students and the community to learn more about MRSA and to help raise awareness.

Sponsors are: Tec Labs, Roche, Pfizer, Loyola University Health System and media sponsor NBC Chicago.

The third annual World MRSA Day global kickoff event and Global MRSA Summit on October 1, 2011 program will begin at 10:30 A.M. with a Remembrance Ceremony and prayer by Reverend Henry Soles, senior chaplain for the Chicago Bulls basketball team to remember and honor all of those who have lost their lives to MRSA around the world. The event is open to the public.

Mr. Rob Stafford of NBC Chicago is the emcee and Dr. William R. Jarvis, a world renowned MRSA and infectious disease specialist is Keynote Speaker. Dr. Jorge Parada, Associate Professor of Medicine and infectious disease Specialist at Loyola University Health System also will be presenting and MRSA survivors and their family members will speak and share their personal stories. Music is provided by Tracy Jackson and members of the King of Glory Tabernacle Choir. The Award Ceremony follows the main event with Dr. Barry M. Farr, Emeritus, UVA being the recipient of the first Humanitarian Award. At the end of the event there will be a 30 minute seminar for those in the community who want to learn more about MRSA, how to get involved, raise awareness and become a ‘MRSA Survivors Champion’ in their own community.

MRSA Survivors Network, the prominent global non-profit organization was the first to raise the alarm about the MRSA and healthcare-acquired epidemic in 2003 in the United States and launched their global MRSA awareness campaign by founding and organizing the Chicago World MRSA Day kickoff event in 2009. MRSA Survivors Network operates the only MRSA crisis hotline in the U.S. for victims and families and also provides wound care items for patients with surgical site infections. Founder, Jeanine Thomas became critically ill with MRSA sepsis and then C. difficile after ankle surgery.

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating the awareness days in October, 2009. To help raise awareness, MRSA Survivors Network has produced the first non-profit public service announcements (PSA’s) for general MRSA awareness with Mr. Rob Stafford of NBC Chicago and NBC Dateline and will air on NBC Chicago stations and also can be viewed on MRSA Survivors Network’s YouTube channel. Downloadable posters, web banners, e-card and a brochure are available at the World MRSA Day web site.

MRSA Survivors Network’s European alliance partner, MRSA Action UK will be holding and participating in events throughout October, World MRSA Awareness Month in England. Other U.S. events are taking place in Altamont, Illinois- MRSA Missions, University of Illinois Medical School, Peoria, IL, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sioux Falls, S.D., and other organizations still in the planning stage. MRSA Survivors Network urges community and faith –based organizations, schools and healthcare facilities worldwide to get involved and help to raise awareness by planning an event.

Aruba artist, Monica E. Oduber, has created the first MRSA painting ‘Starseed’ to draw attention to the MRSA epidemic and plans to exhibit her MRSA paintings during the Chicago World MRSA Day kickoff event on October 1, 2011 and this will be the first international exhibit of her paintings to raise awareness for MRSA.

For further information on how your company or organization can become an official sponsor, volunteer or donate, contact MRSA Survivors Network at jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org, 630 325-4354 USA or visit us at Twitter – www.Twitter.com/MRSAsurvivors or on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MRSASurvivorsNetwork

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Published June 30, 2011 by Blythe Bernhard –St. Louis Dispatch, interview with Jeanine Thomas

Death certificates in Illinois will soon reflect what patient safety advocates say has been a secret killer — staph infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

Under the new law, health care providers who fill out the certificates will have to include the presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, and other infections that are resistant to multiple drugs if they contributed to or caused a death.

Gov. Pat Quinn is expected to sign the bill into law.

Illinois would become the second state after Washington to require the infections be included on death certificates when appropriate.

MRSA is a prevalent staph bacteria that can cause skin, ear, nose and throat infections when acquired through close contact — typically in dorms, jails, day care centers and locker rooms.

More serious MRSA infections can occur in hospitalized patients with compromised immune systems following surgeries or other procedures that allow the bacteria to enter the body and cause blood infections and pneumonia.

Hospitals have been working to reduce the number of infections through improved hygiene but have historically been reluctant to acknowledge their existence through permanent medical records.

While more than half the states, including Illinois and Missouri, require some reporting of hospital-acquired infection rates, the number of deaths from the infections is still hard to track.

A federal estimate from 2007 reported close to 100,000 infections and 18,650 deaths in the U.S. caused by invasive staph infections annually.

Advocates say the real numbers are likely much higher, and the reporting on death certificates is a step toward more accurate data.

“That information is used to direct public funds toward fixing problems,” said Lisa McGiffert, director of Consumers Union’s Safe Patient Project. “There has never been a documentation for medication errors and infections in death statistics, and that is a big reason why so little money has been spent on trying to solve this problem of preventable medical harm.”

Aside from the statistical importance of acknowledging infections, families will have a more accurate record of their loved one’s death.

“Having seen their family member suffer from something that was preventable and seeing the death certificate says they died of a heart attack, it’s one more painful experience,” McGiffert said.

Nicole Coffin, a spokeswoman for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said most states’ death data, provided by hospitals, can already be searched for infections, such as MRSA and tuberculosis, although “accuracy is definitely an issue because there’s a lot of variability based on what pathologists list.”

Coffin said the CDC uses other state and national surveillance methods to track the infections.

Jeanine Thomas runs the MRSA Survivors Network in Hinsdale, Ill., and worked with state Rep. Patricia Bellock, R-Westmont, sponsor of the Illinois legislation.

Thomas, who developed a severe MRSA infection after ankle surgery in 2000, said that when she found out MRSA was not yet a reportable disease, it felt dehumanizing.

“You’re not worth counting, you’re nameless, faceless, not even a statistic,” she said.

Thomas said the new law is a start in understanding how big a problem the superinfections have become.

“How can you address an epidemic if you don’t know the magnitude of it?”

Copyright 2011 STLtoday.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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CHICAGO, June 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The MRSA pandemic continues to be a major public health threat and crisis along with other antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and must become a top political priority worldwide. This year marks fifty years that MRSA emerged into the world.

World MRSA Day, October 2 and World MRSA Awareness Month is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against MRSA, healthcare-acquired infections and antimicrobial resistance while increasing awareness, improving education, and emphasizing the importance of prevention through active detection and isolation (ADI).

The 2011 global theme “The MRSA Epidemic – A Call to Action” brings critical attention to the public health crisis. MRSA Survivors Network urgently pleas for the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to finally recognize the MRSA pandemic and set up a worldwide surveillance program and strongly recommend pro-active implementation of ADI to control MRSA in healthcare facilities worldwide.

“It’s up to all of us to help stop the spread of MRSA worldwide in humans, animals, in the environment and in our food supply,” states Jeanine Thomas founder of World MRSA Day and MRSA Survivors Network. “So many people still do not know what MRSA is, how it is transmitted, prevented or treated and this includes healthcare and agricultural workers. We need more compassionate behavior towards people and animals. Many MRSA victims face financial hardships, permanent disability and now some are becoming homeless.”

Recent data show that the treatment of MRSA bacteremia caused by strains of MRSA with slightly lower susceptibility to vancomycin (MIC>1 ugm/ml), which are increasing frequently, are associated with higher morbidity, mortality and treatment failures. “The time for widespread implementation of ADI for MRSA at U.S. healthcare facilities is now,” states Ms. Thomas. This is reinforced by recent multi-center studies at both the Veteran’s Administration (150 hospitals) and throughout the HCA system that have yet again documented that through implementation of ADI, MRSA rates can dramatically reduce, not just in intensive care units, but hospital-wide. If we are to really believe in patient safety, all healthcare facilities with endemic MRSA should fully implement ADI. In the era of paying for performance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (including the CDC) should be mandating that if ADI works to prevent and control MRSA in 150 VA hospitals, that all U.S. hospitals should implement the same program, reducing MRSA rates, improving patient safety and most importantly, saving lives.

Read Full Story: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-mrsa-day-to-fight-against-denial-and-inaction-124276154.html