Bill Text: GA HR592 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Day at the state capitol; March 19; recognize
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2009-03-09 - House Read and Adopted [HR592 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2009-HR592-Introduced.html
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1033
House
Resolution 592
By:
Representatives Drenner of the
86th,
Taylor of the
55th,
and Bruce of the
64th
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
March 19, 2009, as Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Day at the state capitol; and
for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common but serious medical condition that occurs
when a thrombus, more commonly known as a blood clot, forms inside a deep vein,
usually in the lower limbs, leading to either partially or completely blocked
circulation; and
WHEREAS,
approximately two million Americans are affected by DVT each year, and 600,000
of those are hospitalized for the condition; and
WHEREAS,
a complication of DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE), can occur when a blood clot
breaks loose from the wall of a vein and travels to the lungs, blocking the
pulmonary artery or one of its branches; and
WHEREAS,
even though PE is one of the most common, preventable causes of hospital death
in the United States, 200,000 individuals who develop the condition each year
will die unnecessarily, more than the number of Americans who die as a result of
AIDS, breast cancer, and motor vehicle accidents combined; and
WHEREAS,
symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling, increased temperature, and tenderness,
discoloration, or redness of the affected area; and
WHEREAS,
as many as one-half of all DVT episodes produce minimal symptoms or those that
are completely silent; and
WHEREAS,
a number of other conditions such as muscle strains, skin infections, and
phlebitis display symptoms similar to those of DVT, so that the condition may be
difficult to diagnose without specific tests; and
WHEREAS,
while most victims of DVT are elderly, the condition can strike anyone at risk,
including cancer, stroke, heart, or respiratory patients, individuals with
clotting disorders or inflammatory disease, pregnant women, women who take oral
contraceptives or are using post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy,
individuals who are obese, or those undergoing major surgery, such as joint
replacement, who remain immobile in bed; and
WHEREAS,
most Americans are unaware of DVT, its symptoms, its risk factors, or the fact
that it is the number one cause of unexpected hospital deaths in the United
States, making DVT a major public health concern; and
WHEREAS,
even though DVT is preventable and treatable with early diagnosis, only
one-third of hospitalized patients with risk factors for blood clots receive
preventive treatment; and
WHEREAS,
the routine use of simple, well-established and effective methods of DVT
prevention in hospitals would help save the lives of thousands of Americans each
year; and
WHEREAS,
national television correspondent David Bloom died of a pulmonary embolism while
covering the war in Iraq, and his widow Melanie Bloom and more than 35 members
of the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis are working together to raise
public awareness of this silent killer; and
WHEREAS,
recognition of March 19, 2009, as Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Day will honor
the memory of David Bloom, educate the public of the immediate and long-term
dangers of DVT, and draw attention to the risk factors, symptoms, and prevention
measures associated with DVT, which will greatly reduce the number of
individuals who die or become disabled from this condition and its
life-threatening complications.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body recognize March 19, 2009, as Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Day at the
state capitol.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit appropriate copies of this resolution to the Coalition
to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis and members of the public and the press.
