Sanborn bill targets hospital bugs
A bill sponsored by Rep. Linda Sanborn, D-Gorham, would require the state to create rules relating to two of the most common infections that are associated with visits to hospitals and other health care facilities.
The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee has heard testimony from numerous family members of individuals whose lives have been impacted by an infection they acquired while in the hospital.
“States have been actively increasing transparency and accountability surrounding hospitals’ rates of infections, with half of all states enacting laws mandating that hospitals publicly report infection cases,” said Sanborn, a retired family doctor. “It is time for the state of Maine to look more closely at what we can do to reduce the rates of hospital-acquired infections, thereby saving lives and revenue.”
It is estimated that each year, between five and 10 percent of hospitalized patients in the United States develop a health care-associated infection and these infections are associated with approximately 99,000 deaths annually. Health care-associated infections contribute nearly $6.5 billion more per year to health care costs.
Two such infections are methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas, one of the deadliest antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and an intestinal bug, Clostridium difficile.
Letarte-Michaud benefit
A dance and silent auction to benefit the family of Ann Letarte-Michaud will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at YourSpace, 215 Narragansett St. (Route 202), in Gorham.
Letarte-Michaud lost her fight against the rare Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease on March 24 after being diagnosed with it in February. A portion of the proceeds of the benefit will go to the Cure CJD Foundation to support research.
Westbrook natives, Letarte-Michaud and her husband, Gary, moved to Gorham, where they raised three daughters.
Donations of items for the silent auction are being accepted. Tickets available at the door are $15 each. BYOB; ice and light snacks will be provided.
For tickets or donations, call Judy Boucher at 839-2878 or Michelle Dame, 642-2215.
Garden club to hear Miles
A master gardener, Ann Miles, will speak when the Gorham Garden Club meets 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, at the First Parish Congregational Church, 1 Church St.
The public is invited.
Towle honored
Ashley Towle has been elected to the Iota Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Society at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa.
Towle is a member of the class of 2009.
Bell named Allstate champ
Jane Bell of the Allstate agency at 36 Main St. in Gorham has earned the designation of Regional Champion for Allstate Insurance Company’s six-state Northeast Region, which includes Maine.
“It’s a tremendous honor to earn regional champion,” Bell said.
The award is a symbol of the dedication Bell demonstrates in assisting customers, the insurance company said in a statement. The agency is one of Allstate’s top agencies in the nation in auto, property and commercial insurance and financial service sales.
Lubelczyk to attend leadership conference
Colin Lubelczyk has been selected to attend the National Student Leadership Conference in July in Indianapolis, Ind.
Lubelczyk, described by the school as a role model, will attend with five other Maine high school students.
Badeau recognized
Jason Badeau has been honored for his service to the community.
Badeau was recently conferred a 2009 Prudential Spirit of Community Certificate of Excellence for his volunteer efforts and Camp for the college-bound
Gorham Recreation Department is offering a new summer camp for college-bound high school students entering grades 10 through 12.
Gail Platts of Gorham Recreation, who is sending the last of her three children off to college in the fall, will use her experience to help other high school students begin their college search.
Platts will work with Susan Leighton of Scarborough to offer the new camp. Leighton works in the Scarborough High School placement office and has more than 10 years of experience with college applications and placement.
“One of the more frequent comments we hear from students is that they wish they had started the process earlier,” Leighton said. “There is so much information to sort through and so many decisions to make: choosing a major, thinking about a career, cost, location, student population and distance from home.
“The goal of the camp is to provide students opportunity to investigate and explore colleges and give them a better understanding of options and possibilities.”
College & Career Quest will be offered for two weeks in August. The week of August 3- 7 will focus on majors and careers in science and technology. The following week, Aug. 10-14, will explore offerings in arts and humanities.
Camp counselors will take the students to visit several college campuses and help them review and reflect on the campus visit experience. Many of the schools will offer an interest-specific tour and not the generic, “classroom/dorm room view.”
Campers will also visit several area businesses to help with the question of “What can I do with a major in (fill in the blank)?” The college guidance component of College & Career Quest will consist of workshops and assisted online research to begin the college search, assess strengths and weaknesses, and demystify the admissions process. As time permits, students will also participate in a variety of recreational activities.
For a tentative schedule, visit www.gorhamrec.com.
Daily options may be available depending on enrollment. For more details, call Platts at 222-1630.
U.S. taxpayer debt
The Bureau of Public Debt reported on April 9 that the U.S. public debt was $11,169,466,380,008.32.
Cutline (Linda Sanborn) – Rep. Linda Sanborn, D-Gorham, testifies before the Health and Human Services Committee regarding her bill on hospital-acquired infections. Send questions/comments to the editors.
