HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	159
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO RECOMMEND WAYS TO REDUCE INCIDENTS OF SEPSIS AND SEPSIS DEATHS IN THE STATE.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, sepsis is a serious medical condition that is caused by an overwhelming immune response to infection, whereby immune chemicals released into the blood to combat infection trigger widespread inflammation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the United States National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health indicate that for sepsis, blood pressure drops, resulting in shock, and major organs and body systems, including the kidneys, liver, lungs, and central nervous systems, stop working properly because of poor blood flow; and

 

WHEREAS, sepsis can lead to shock, organ failure, and death; and

 

     WHEREAS, according to the National Institute of General Medical Services, every year, severe sepsis strikes about 750,000 Americans, of which an estimated 28 percent to 50 percent will die, which is far more than the number of deaths in the United States from prostate cancer, breast cancer, and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) combined; and

 

     WHEREAS, sepsis is among the leading causes of death in the United States; and preventive measures are needed immediately to address this rising health problem; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, that the Director of Health is requested to convene a working group to recommend ways to reduce incidents of sepsis and sepsis deaths in the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group consider the following:

 

     (1)  Examine and identify barriers to quality care for patients with sepsis;

 

     (2)  Review and assess national models, best practices, and guidelines comparative to Hawaii's needs;

 

     (3)  Consider options for improving early recognition, identification, and treatment of sepsis and septic shock in Hawaii's hospitals;

 

     (4)  Improve the collection, use, and reporting of quality measures by medical staff related to the recognition and treatment of sepsis;

 

     (5)  Provide recommendations to better educate the public about sepsis, including its symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, and preventive measures;

 

     (6)  Identify barriers and make recommendations to address the costs of sepsis and costs necessary to combat sepsis; and

 

     (7)  Any other recommendation deemed relevant by the Director of Health to further the purpose of this measure; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the findings and recommendations of the task force be considered, and incorporated as feasible, as part of a comprehensive plan to be developed by the Department of Health to combat sepsis in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health.

Report Title: 

Spesis; Department of Health Working Group