MARR Endorses Legislation to Remove Antibiotics From Animal Feed
The MARR Coalition joined with FDA and other leading voices to endorse the reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (HR 6432), which has been extremely valuable in helping FDA fulfill its commitment to promote and protect pubic and animal health. The bill may be voted on before the summer congressional recess. Read the MARR letter <click here>.
MARR Long-term Care Tool Kit
Now available online
The MARR Long-term Care Tool Kit is now complete and has been distributed to all Michigan-licensed LTC facilities. The document is designed to assist clinicians in implementing the “12 Steps to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance Among Long-Term Care Residents,” a set of recommendations developed by the CDC as part of its Campaign to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare Settings. <more>
<Click here> to download the complete MARR LTC Tool Kit.
MRSA Facts
If you've seen the news recently, you've heard about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is a type of bacteria that is resistant to commonly used antibiotics and can cause very serious infections. MARR is working hard to educate clinicians and consumers about how to identify, treat and prevent MRSA. If you would like to schedule a MARR presentation at your facility, <click here>.
Here are some links to additional information about MRSA:
The power to protect yourself from infection is in your hands.
Keep them clean! Hand hygiene saves lives.
 Learn more about proper hand hygiene.
This site features a video (English and Spanish) and other helpful information on hand hygiene.
Link courtesy of Madison, WI Dept. of Public Health.
DOWNLOAD CENTER:
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MARR MRSA brochure and poster
Together with the Michigan Department of Community Health, the MARR Coalition has developed a new, educational brochure and poster to educate consumers on how to identify, control and prevent MRSA infections.
<<download MRSA brochure>> <<download MRSA poster>>
MDCH Launches Pandemic Planning Toolkit for Educators
The Michigan Departments of Community Health and Education, along with representatives from local health departments and schools, have developed a online workbook for school officials to use in planning for an influenza pandemic. The workbook includes suggested lesson plans and resources for educating the
students on disease spread and mitigation. <visit the site>
MARR Endorses Legislation to Address Antimicrobial Resistance
On September 27, 2007, a bill was introduced in the House of representatives, known as the STAAR Act (Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance, H.R. 3697). If adopted, it would provide vital funding in support of antimicrobial resistance research and interventions, like those conducted by the MARR Coalition.
This bill was introduced partially in response to a study by federal government researchers recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, which shows that infections caused by MRSA are no longer confined to hospitals and are increasingly found in community settings such as schools.
The study reports that an estimated 18,650 people died from MRSA in the United States in 2005 - a larger number than the 17,011 deaths attributable to HIV/AIDS across the nation in that year.
You Can Help Preserve Our Antibiotic Lifeline
Contact your congressman in support of the STAAR Act (H.R. 3697). The funding provided in this bill is vitally important to public health organizations, including the Michigan Department of Community Health (health departments) and the MARR Coalition. These funds will be used to conduct research and develop educational programs for medical professionals and consumers on antimicrobial resistance.
<Click Here> for a congressional directory by zip code. Make your voice heard and help preserve our antibiotic lifeline for generations to come.
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