Advocacy Through Legislation - Article

Advocacy Through Legislation
Identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity to be advocated through legislation.
Research the issue and complete the sections below. For each topic that requires the listing of criteria, a minimum of two criteria
should be identified and discussed. Add more rows as is appropriate for the topic/proposal.
Problem
In no more than 250 words, describe the problem, who is affected, and the current ramifications. Explain the consequences if the
issue continues.
An infection that is caught from the hospital is stated to be a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). It is also known as nosocomial that
occur mostly due to bacteria. One of the most common wards where HAI occurs is the intensive care unit where the treatment of
chronic and serious diseases takes place. A survey indicated that 722000 HAIs occurred in the United States in 2011, demonstrating
4% of the hospital patients are endangered (Dshs.texas.gov, 2020). Thus, it is associated with a significant rate of mortality,
morbidity, and increase the cost of hospitalization. The predominant reason for the increased cases of HAI is the complexity of
medical care and increase the resistance of antibiotics. Along with the patients, family members and healthcare professionals are
affected by HAIs, and it is still a major cause of disease among the public. According to Boev and Kiss (2017), HAIs are stated to
be a primary cause of preventable deaths as well as disability among the patients admitted in the hospitals. As per the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the infections or complications that occur secondarily due to the implementation of devices,
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implantation and surgery may lead to HAIs. Thus, it is important to assess the infection in the surgical site, infection associated with
central line bloodstream, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and catheter-linked urinary tract infections. On an annual basis, 1.7
million patients acquire HAIs who are admitted die to other health-related issues, and one in 17 people die to the infection. Even
though the prevention procedure is simple; however, it is most often neglected in the healthcare settings leading to such concerns.
Idea for Addressing Solution
In no more than 250 words, outline your idea for addressing the issue and explain why legislation is the best course for advocacy.
The fact that the annual rise of the rate of HAI in the U.S. specifically in Texas have led to development of concern both on
governmental and non-governmental authority. The process that can be administered to prevent HAIs is simple in nature and
include awareness however; most of the cases depicts that negligence on behalf of the healthcare professionals, patient or family
member directed to acquiring the infection. Therefore, the solution that can be used for addressing the issue is advocacy through
legislation. It involves offering public support or recommendations with respect to a cause or policy. According to Stone et al.,
(2015), the public disclosure of the outcome of hospital involve improvement of patient safety. The issue that hinder in ensuring
patient safety is the provision of HAIs that estimated that one out of 25 patients in the USA have HAIs. The use of HAI reporting
laws have been implemented at both federal and state level to enhance the situation. In the year 2008, the federal Department of
Health and Human Services has implemented a national Action Plan for reducing HAIs in medical sector as well as identification of
the measurable goals. This is one of the most effective solution as it involve strict control of the governmental body as result, the
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healthcare organization need to abide them (Gandhi, 2017). Moreover, policy implementation of the organization lead to better
implication of the years as compared to organization that do not have any polices or procedure. Therefore, legislation, polices,
guides serves as an important advocacy tools that will allow in addressing the issue in an effective manner.
Research the Issue
Perform research and compile information for your idea. Present substantive evidence-based findings that support your idea for
addressing the problem (studies, research, and reports). Include any similar legislation introduced or passed in other states.
Evidence 1 Public Act 2009-420, which involve development of regulations by Alabama
Department of Public Health in consultation with the State Board of Health and the
Health Care Data Advisory Council in term of hospital reporting of HAIs.
Evidence 2 In Arizona, SB 1356 was signed as a law in 2008 April 208 that was established for
infection prevention and control advisory committee.
The legislation or law have been effective able to minimize the rate of HAI in
Alabama and Arizona is a significant manner, indicating that advocacy through
legislation is an efficient solution to control the issue of HAIs.
Stakeholder Support
Discuss the stakeholders who would support the proposed idea and explain why they would be in support.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 1 The government of the state is one of the major stakeholder that help in proposing the
idea of management of HAIs using advocacy through legislation. The impact of
medical issue have a concerning aspect on the economic development of the state or
country as a whole. This is because the State need to increase the expenditure on
medical expenses allocated, therefore the government will support the idea.
Stakeholder(s) Supporting 2 The second supporting stakeholder will the population of Texas. The rational of
supporting the idea is they had to incur a large amount of time, effort and money due
to HAIs, thus, it will effective reduce the burden from them.
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