Disabled Nurses: Too Valuable to Sideline
by Genevieve M. Clavreul, RN, PhD
One of our greatest fears is becoming so sick or injured that we cannot return to the work we love. Bedside/floor nursing is demanding and arduous work, and a severe, limiting injury or chronic illness can leave an RN without the job for which she has trained. Why? Because most hospital environments do not have a system in place that can accommodate a nurse in a role outside the bedside. However, with a little creativity and will, it is not impossible to "re-enter" a highly- skilled RN into another hospital role.While Director of Nursing (DON) in Bakersfield, I got my first opportunity to put into practice what was just the seed of an idea at the time. One of our older (by seniority not age) RNs suffered a back injury that caused her to be placed on long-term disability, and in the end it was deemed that she would never be fit enough to return to carry out the demands at the bedside. This is an all too common problem faced by many nurses, which results in nurses choosing to work through pain and illness rather than be deemed "unfit" for duty. However, as I reviewed this nurse’s personnel file, and received input from her fellow nurses, I made the decision to assign her to admitting and patient intake. She was at first reluctant to assume this new position, but once I shared with her what I envisioned her role would be, she agreed to give it a try. I ordered her business cards printed with her name, credentials, qualifications, and, of course, contact information. It wasn’t long before her skill with both patients and their families made her much sought-after in her new position, and she was always impeccable in her white uniform. The upside for the hospital was that we saw almost immediate reduction of complaints involving intake during the period she staffed the desk. Patients provided me with the feedback that they appreciated having an RN there and they felt comfortable calling her if they had questions or concerns. Also, the nurses on the floor felt that the quality of the intake information was much improved during the period this nurse staffed the admitting desk.Finding alternative assignments for the disabled RN is a not as difficult as it may seem. Some areas that could could be appropriate are below:
INTAKE DESK As mentioned above, I had a very positive experience assigning an RN to the intake desk. In this position, a nurse’s assessment skills provide much more accurate intake information, which in turn provides the receiving RN a clearer picture of the patient’s status. The intake nurse can be involved in bed allocation and placement.Patients have a greater sense of security and comfort when they are aware that an RN is listening to them as they explain what they think is wrong, or how they are feeling, or the reason why they have come to the hospital.An RN often has skills that make working with "scared" or difficult patients easier, skills that are usually developed from formal training and years on the floor.
NURSE RECRUITER There seems to be a growing trend to use non-RNs to recruit RNs. However, an RN (with the appropriate "people skills") who is no longer able to work at the beside could serve as an excellent recruiter. Prospective nurses like to speak with RNs when they are investigating a new hospital, and personally, I believe RNs recruiting and interviewing RNs for possible hire adds a professional touch, which leaves a good impression on the nurse being recruited.
PATIENT ADVOCATE/OMBUDSMAN This position should answer to the manager in charge of quality improvement or, even better, should answer directly to the DON. This position could serve as a good fit for an RN during her period of disability, since patient advocacy is a key component in their scope of work.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT The RN who is disabled by a work injury could be an excellent member of the QI team. All too often the QI team is composed of individuals not recognized as "real" nurses by the bedside nurse. The addition of a nurse sends a message that the work of the bedside nurse is not minimized.
NURSE EDUCATION/SERVICE Bedside experience is an enormous asset to the nursing education/in-service team. There’s also an added benefit. After working as a nurse educator, the disabled RN might choose to pursue nursing education as a second career, thus filling a desperate need for nursing teachers.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM An RN with bedside experience, but no active assignment, could be asked to mentor a student nurse or newly graduated nurse, even a new hire. Also, this will send the message that the hospital administration cares for all nurses and does not discard someone due to disability acquired on the job. This position could also keep a focus on the attrition rate and do exit interviews.
OVERSEE EQUIPMENT INTEGRITY The RN who is recovering from disability is in an excellent position to assist in this area, since they can provide the maintenance department with a more accurate review of how machines really function, versus how they are advertised to function. Being a member of this team allows direct and realistic input on new equipment purchases. I firmly believe that short of a catastrophic injury, hospitals should try to place their "disabled" nurse in a parallel position. However, it is important to note that in order to do this, nursing administration must be willing to embrace this concept, and then in turn, nursing administration must provide the plan and the leadership to implement it so that hospital leaders have reason to "buy in." Besides getting management to accept the plan, one must take into account whether or not the nurses or the clerical staff is unionized. In cases where one or both are represented by unions, written agreements should be in place that clearly delineate how the RN will be integrated into the position. The nurse recruiter and nurse educator positions are not usually represented by unions, and all efforts need to be made to ensure that the RN understands and accepts this change. One must also consider that compensation may change due to the level of work that is expected. RNs who assume a new role must do so with complete knowledge that the pay scale may differ, as well as benefits, such as vacations, and sick leave. In some cases, the assignment may only be temporary, until the nurse is well enough to return to floor work. When this stage is reached, all efforts need to be marshaled to prepare the nurse to reintegrate into the nursing team and return to full working status. Not all RNs who are sidelined by a severe injury may want to return to work, just as some, though eager to return to work, may lack the temperament, skill sets, or qualifications for placement in one of the alternate positions. However, when both the RN and the circumstances permit, all efforts should be made to move the RN into a position where her experience, critical thinking skills, and knowledge of nursing can best serve the patient, healthcare team, hospital, and the community. Nurses invest much (educationally, emotionally, and financially) into becoming a nurse, while hospitals invest a great deal in recruiting, placing, and supporting their RN staff. Neither can allow work injury to cause the permanent loss of a competent RN when, with a little creativity and ingenuity. a loss can be turned into a gain. The same program could be applied to the older nurse, one who is near retirement from bedside nursing, but is still a competent, capable, and contributing member of the healthcare team, who wants to continue working. Good nurses are too important to lose.
Geneviève M. Clavreul is a health care management consultant. She is an RN and has experience as a director of nursing and as a teacher of nursing management. She can be reached at: Solutions Outside the Box; PO Box 867, Pasadena, CA; gmc@solutionsoutsidethebox.net (626) 844-7812.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
PARADIGM BYTES
PARADIGM BYTES
Newsletter for Paradigm 97
October 4 , 2007
PARADIGM DEFINED:
1) an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype.2) a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations, and the experiments performed in support of them, are formulated.
Our website...... http://paradigm97.blogspot.com/
MISSION STATEMENT
1) an outstandingly clear or typical example or archetype.2) a philosophical and theoretical framework of a scientific school or discipline within which theories, laws, and generalizations, and the experiments performed in support of them, are formulated.
Our website...... http://paradigm97.blogspot.com/
MISSION STATEMENT
We believe that nurses need each other for support during the "lean and mean" days to help survive them. We offer research results and other ideas to enrich the nursing experience.
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Please drop in ...the AOL chatroom is "manned" by GingerMyst for 45 min on Tuesday evenings: 9 pm EST, 8 pm CST, 7 pm MST, 6 pm PSTNow, the Paradigm97 chatroom is always there....door open, lights on, waiting for you to come in. Check your Buddy List.....and invite your friends in for a little chat Let me know if you want others involved.
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SNIPPETS
This sent in from BAcello (Barbara) who writes: The url works, but free registration may be required.Hospitals set standards for wristband use The Business Journal of Phoenix - March 2, 2007 by Angela Gonzales The Business Journal Imagine getting rushed to the hospital and, in the frenzy of your heart attack, a nurse slaps on a yellow wristband. The yellow bands have different meanings depending on the hospital. In some, they mean "do not resuscitate."http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/03/05/story7.html?t=printable
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This sent in from BAcello (Barbara) who writes: The url works, but free registration may be required.Hospitals set standards for wristband use The Business Journal of Phoenix - March 2, 2007 by Angela Gonzales The Business Journal Imagine getting rushed to the hospital and, in the frenzy of your heart attack, a nurse slaps on a yellow wristband. The yellow bands have different meanings depending on the hospital. In some, they mean "do not resuscitate."http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2007/03/05/story7.html?t=printable
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A Retraction ........
Last issue I placed under Interesting Reading a notice that was false. It was a Warning about having a note on the back window....and that was a ruse to car jack. I didn't double check with Snopes and now must retract. Please, whenever you get something in e-mail that is a Warning.......please double check with Snopes before you send it to me and/or to others. http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/carjack.asp
Sorry.
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Last issue I placed under Interesting Reading a notice that was false. It was a Warning about having a note on the back window....and that was a ruse to car jack. I didn't double check with Snopes and now must retract. Please, whenever you get something in e-mail that is a Warning.......please double check with Snopes before you send it to me and/or to others. http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/carjack.asp
Sorry.
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MEDICAL NEWS
"Medical TV isn’t always right" September 20, 2007 -- Today MSNBC reprinted a Forbes article by Allison Van Dusen, "Playing doctor: Medical TV isn’t always right: Viewers often get wrong ideas, but shows do impart some info, experts say." The piece discussed the overall accuracy of popular health-related dramas. It included several comments from Center executive director Sandy Summers about the shows' failure to portray nursing accurately. Our reported comments addressed the common depiction of physicians doing things nurses really do, including managing nurses. The piece also included our point that nurse characters tend to absorb abuse from physicians like House with no apparent ability to respond, reinforcing the image of nurses as meek servants--an unusual point for the mainstream media to put forward. Some of this material appeared in 2 of the 8 photos accompanying the article. We thank Allison Van Dusen for this article. http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/
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Nursing Organization Positioned to Realize Nightingale's Vision If she were alive today, Florence Nightingale would firmly affix her seal of approval on the National Initiative for Global Health (NIGH), a nonprofit organization created to honor and renew the nursing founder's work.Established on Nightingale's birthday, May 12, the NDC already boasts more than 13,000 signatures from 80 countries. This includes 608 organizations, representing 3 million to 4 million nurses and healthcare staff from around the world. The goal is to obtain at least 2 million signatures from nurses and concerned citizens from all 193 United Nations member states by the close of 2008. http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070910/SOUTHCENTRAL09/709100344/1003/SOUTHCENTRAL
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"Medical TV isn’t always right" September 20, 2007 -- Today MSNBC reprinted a Forbes article by Allison Van Dusen, "Playing doctor: Medical TV isn’t always right: Viewers often get wrong ideas, but shows do impart some info, experts say." The piece discussed the overall accuracy of popular health-related dramas. It included several comments from Center executive director Sandy Summers about the shows' failure to portray nursing accurately. Our reported comments addressed the common depiction of physicians doing things nurses really do, including managing nurses. The piece also included our point that nurse characters tend to absorb abuse from physicians like House with no apparent ability to respond, reinforcing the image of nurses as meek servants--an unusual point for the mainstream media to put forward. Some of this material appeared in 2 of the 8 photos accompanying the article. We thank Allison Van Dusen for this article. http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/
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Nursing Organization Positioned to Realize Nightingale's Vision If she were alive today, Florence Nightingale would firmly affix her seal of approval on the National Initiative for Global Health (NIGH), a nonprofit organization created to honor and renew the nursing founder's work.
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FROM THE MEMBERS
The National Registered Nurses Professional Association (NRNPA) is a professional organization for the Registered Nurse. Founded in 2007 by RNs who wanted an organization that the professional nurse could join that fostered the ideals of professionalism, and that helped nurses help each other develop, share, and fine-tune their skills to help one another shine the light of excellence of this time-honored profession. Advocate, Promote and Reform, three simple but powerful words are the core priniciples of this grassroots organization. The NRNPA is a professional organization formed by RNs for RNs join us in the adventure! For more information call Geneviève at 626-844-7812, email her atClavreul@nrnpa.org or visit our website at www.nrnpa.org<http://www.nrnpa.org> . You can also read more about the Geneviève¹s³spin² on all things nursing by visiting her blog at www.thenurseunchained.com.
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JenxL@AOL.com (Linda) recommended this book. 'Pioneer Doctor'....She wrote: " It is a historical, biographical novel......written by the granddaughter of one of the first women doctors in the US. Our struggles still remain, but certainly we should be grateful to women like this who battled for 20 years to get the vote for us, made it possible for women to be accepted into the medical field etc.".
"Pioneer Doctor" is the story of a Woman's Work by Mari Grana (grand daughter of Mollie.....the Pioneer doctor) ISBSN 978 0 7627 3656 6 It is marked $14.95 on the cover which is what I paid for it. The Globe Pequot Press PO Box 480 Guilford, CT 06437 www.falcon.com. Maybe it could be found on Amazon.com, also.
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oneacre454@msn.com writes: I enjoy the information on opening my own nursing agency, I would like continuios options for nurse to gain their own autonomy; I am interested in opening my own assisted living center. I would like more info on Medicare rules where nurses can charge for their own private services that they do privately at home. I would like to find out about nurse's starting their own investment club, or interested in empowering nurses so we can be as successful as the doctors are in the health care business.
The National Registered Nurses Professional Association (NRNPA) is a professional organization for the Registered Nurse. Founded in 2007 by RNs who wanted an organization that the professional nurse could join that fostered the ideals of professionalism, and that helped nurses help each other develop, share, and fine-tune their skills to help one another shine the light of excellence of this time-honored profession. Advocate, Promote and Reform, three simple but powerful words are the core priniciples of this grassroots organization. The NRNPA is a professional organization formed by RNs for RNs join us in the adventure! For more information call Geneviève at 626-844-7812, email her atClavreul@nrnpa.org or visit our website at www.nrnpa.org<http://www.nrnpa.org> . You can also read more about the Geneviève¹s³spin² on all things nursing by visiting her blog at www.thenurseunchained.com.
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JenxL@AOL.com (Linda) recommended this book. 'Pioneer Doctor'....She wrote: " It is a historical, biographical novel......written by the granddaughter of one of the first women doctors in the US. Our struggles still remain, but certainly we should be grateful to women like this who battled for 20 years to get the vote for us, made it possible for women to be accepted into the medical field etc.".
"Pioneer Doctor" is the story of a Woman's Work by Mari Grana (grand daughter of Mollie.....the Pioneer doctor) ISBSN 978 0 7627 3656 6 It is marked $14.95 on the cover which is what I paid for it. The Globe Pequot Press PO Box 480 Guilford, CT 06437 www.falcon.com. Maybe it could be found on Amazon.com, also.
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oneacre454@msn.com writes: I enjoy the information on opening my own nursing agency, I would like continuios options for nurse to gain their own autonomy; I am interested in opening my own assisted living center. I would like more info on Medicare rules where nurses can charge for their own private services that they do privately at home. I would like to find out about nurse's starting their own investment club, or interested in empowering nurses so we can be as successful as the doctors are in the health care business.
Please write her with your advice/ suggestions. Thank you.
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INTERESTING READING
Please remember that the REUTERS articles are good for 30 days only
Nurse aides, pharmacists see salaries jump Nurse aides have risen out of the "Bottom 20" of hourly wage earners in the country, according to new government statistics. Between 1997 and 2005, nursing aides, orderlies and attendants saw a 31% bump in their average hourly earnings - from $8.23 to $10.77 per hour, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. This puts them at 392 out of 418 occupations, or 26 from the bottom. In 2005, aides were among the absolute lowest earning occupations, which ranged from $4.71 per hour for wait staff to $10.05 per hour for agricultural products inspectors, vehicle washers and equipment cleaners. Pharmacists joined physicians, airline pilots, medical science teachers and dentists in the "Top 20" earning professions for 2005. Pharmacists had ranked 57th in 1997, but their hourly average wage soared from $26.59 to $45.25 in eight years. The full BLS analysis is available at http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/print/cm20070824ar01p1.htm
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History of Childhood Maltreatment is Associated with Comorbid Depression in Women with Migraine Tietjen, G.E., et al. - Conclusions: Childhood maltreatment was more common in women with migraine and concomitant major depression than in those with migraine alone. The association of childhood sexual abuse with migraine and depression is amplified if abuse also occurs at a later age [more...] Neurology, 09/05/07 http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/1969606/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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Improving the health and wellness of persons with disabilities: A call to action too important for nursing to ignore. Smeltzer, S., - This article describes the current status of health care of individuals with disabilities in the US, and suggests appropriate responses by the nursing profession to the Surgeon General's Call to Action. Specific suggestions are identified for nursing practice, education, research, nursing leaderships, and the profession of nursing as a whole ... Nursing Outlook, 09/04/07
http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/1969606/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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NPUAP – EPUAP Seeking Stakeholders to Review Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Guidelines. NPUAP and EPUAP have been working on developing evidence-based, international pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidelines over the past two years. It is anticipated that in early 2008 a draft of them will be available for review and input from stakeholders, including wound care health professionals and organizations concerned with pressure ulcer care. If you or your organization is interested in becoming a stakeholder to review and provide input into these guidelines, you are encouraged to go to www.epuap.org and click on the link for guidelines and register as a stakeholder. When the guidelines are ready for review, you will be contacted that they are available online for your review and input. http://www.epuap.org
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New long-term care nurses' association formed Two veteran leaders in the long-term care nursing field have announced the creation of a new professional association for nurses at all levels in senior care. The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) "intends to unite all levels of long-term care nursing staff for the purpose of advancing excellence" in senior care," said Executive Director Charlotte Eliopoulos. She and AALTCN Director of Professional Relations Ron Romano most recently held similar titles with the National Association for Directors of Nursing Long-Term Care Administration (NADONA). But they say their intent is not to "replicate or compete with the many fine associations" previously existing for long-term care professionals. Rather, AALTCN was founded "to provide educational resources, advocacy and a voice for the specialty of long-term care nursing." Rather than individual memberships, the new association will enroll entire nursing departments for a single fee, with a few noted exceptions for individuals and business partners. Officials said details can be found at www.LTCNursing.org, or by calling (513) 618-6530.
Nurse aides, pharmacists see salaries jump Nurse aides have risen out of the "Bottom 20" of hourly wage earners in the country, according to new government statistics. Between 1997 and 2005, nursing aides, orderlies and attendants saw a 31% bump in their average hourly earnings - from $8.23 to $10.77 per hour, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics. This puts them at 392 out of 418 occupations, or 26 from the bottom. In 2005, aides were among the absolute lowest earning occupations, which ranged from $4.71 per hour for wait staff to $10.05 per hour for agricultural products inspectors, vehicle washers and equipment cleaners. Pharmacists joined physicians, airline pilots, medical science teachers and dentists in the "Top 20" earning professions for 2005. Pharmacists had ranked 57th in 1997, but their hourly average wage soared from $26.59 to $45.25 in eight years. The full BLS analysis is available at http://www.bls.gov/opub/cwc/print/cm20070824ar01p1.htm
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History of Childhood Maltreatment is Associated with Comorbid Depression in Women with Migraine Tietjen, G.E., et al. - Conclusions: Childhood maltreatment was more common in women with migraine and concomitant major depression than in those with migraine alone. The association of childhood sexual abuse with migraine and depression is amplified if abuse also occurs at a later age [more...] Neurology, 09/05/07 http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/1969606/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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Improving the health and wellness of persons with disabilities: A call to action too important for nursing to ignore. Smeltzer, S., - This article describes the current status of health care of individuals with disabilities in the US, and suggests appropriate responses by the nursing profession to the Surgeon General's Call to Action. Specific suggestions are identified for nursing practice, education, research, nursing leaderships, and the profession of nursing as a whole ... Nursing Outlook, 09/04/07
http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/1969606/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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NPUAP – EPUAP Seeking Stakeholders to Review Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Guidelines. NPUAP and EPUAP have been working on developing evidence-based, international pressure ulcer prevention and treatment guidelines over the past two years. It is anticipated that in early 2008 a draft of them will be available for review and input from stakeholders, including wound care health professionals and organizations concerned with pressure ulcer care. If you or your organization is interested in becoming a stakeholder to review and provide input into these guidelines, you are encouraged to go to www.epuap.org and click on the link for guidelines and register as a stakeholder. When the guidelines are ready for review, you will be contacted that they are available online for your review and input. http://www.epuap.org
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New long-term care nurses' association formed Two veteran leaders in the long-term care nursing field have announced the creation of a new professional association for nurses at all levels in senior care. The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) "intends to unite all levels of long-term care nursing staff for the purpose of advancing excellence" in senior care," said Executive Director Charlotte Eliopoulos. She and AALTCN Director of Professional Relations Ron Romano most recently held similar titles with the National Association for Directors of Nursing Long-Term Care Administration (NADONA). But they say their intent is not to "replicate or compete with the many fine associations" previously existing for long-term care professionals. Rather, AALTCN was founded "to provide educational resources, advocacy and a voice for the specialty of long-term care nursing." Rather than individual memberships, the new association will enroll entire nursing departments for a single fee, with a few noted exceptions for individuals and business partners. Officials said details can be found at www.LTCNursing.org, or by calling (513) 618-6530.
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Pressure Ulcer Stages Revised by NPUAP The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel has redefined the definition of a pressure ulcer and the stages of pressure ulcers, including the original 4 stages and adding 2 stages on deep tissue injury and unstageable pressure ulcers. This work is the culmination of over 5 years of work beginning with the identification of deep tissue injury in 2001.http://www.npuap.org/pr2.htm
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Schizophrenia trials "Promising" The first human trial of a new schizophrenia drug has yielded promising results, report scientists. What sets apart the experimental drug from all other antipsychotics is its target in the brain - glutamate receptors rather than dopamine. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6971037.stm
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First Treatment Approved for Fibromyalgia Treatment The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of pregabalin (Lyrica) to treat pain and improve function among patients with fibromyalgia. Available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg capsules, Lyrica is typically given as a 300 mg to 450 mg divided daily dose with or without food. Dosage adjustment may be necessary for patients with renal impairment, with a maximum recommended dose of 100 mg three times a day for patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. http://www.nurse.com/drugnews/drugnews.html?ID=278
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Elderly tend to forgo prescriptions due to high Medicare co-pays Medicare plans that charge more costly co-payments for branded or nonpreferred drugs often influence seniors not to buy the medicines prescribed to them, researchers conclude. The study found that people enrolled in three-tiered plans filled almost 15% fewer prescriptions than those with single-tiered plans, while incurring higher out-of-pocket costs for their medical needs. http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/isAAnilqnvzWbAWTjL
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Years ago, while I was working in a hospital with a CNA (very worthless) was seen going from room to room wearing the same gloves.....holding her hands up as if she were ready to do surgery. When I talked to her about this. she said that she didn't want to get what the patients had !! She continued with this practice, until the manager finally corrected her. She still works there after all the write ups and complaints !!
Who doesn't wash their hands? When it comes to hand-washing, physicians and nursing assistants have a lower rate of adherence than nurses. Certain units, such as critical care, also have lower adherence. It may seem surprising that special care units have a lower rate of compliance to proper hand hygiene. But just because a patient is not active doesn't mean you cannot spread bacteria to others. Studies have found that there are a number of factors for poor adherence to proper hand hygiene. They include the following:Physician statusNursing assistant statusMale genderWorking in the intensive-care unitWorking during the week versus the weekendWearing glovesAutomated sink The above excerpt is from the online course "Hand Hygiene for Health Care Staff: Practical Steps to Protect Patients and Contain Infections." For more information on this and other courses in our library, go to http://www.hcprofessor.com .
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WING USA Legislative Update Minnesota apprears to be most recent to pass legislation for the safe handling of patients and residents. The MN "Safe Patient Handling Act" was passed 5-20-07, within the second engrossment of a large omnibus bill, House File No. 122, approved by Gov. Time Pawlenty (R) 5-25-07. The new law requires all MN licensed healthcare facilities to establish a safe patient handling (SPH) committee and a SPH program, to minimize manual lifting by nurses and other direct patient handling (SPH) equipment rather than people, to transfer, move, and reposition patients and residents in all healthcare facilities.
Omnibus bill Hf 122 is over 130 pp long, with language about SPH in three separate areas: To read online, go to http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp. Enter "HF 122" in the House of Rep "Enter Bill Number" search box and click on "go". Click " Status of Bill in the House" for the billl's history. Under Bill Name: HF122, click "Bill Text"... Under Bill Engorssments" click "H.F.122, 2nd Engrossment" posted 5-21-07.
Elizabeth (Bettye) Shogren, RN, Health and Safety Specialist, MN Nurses Association, Bettye.Shogren@mnnurses.org, said, "The language is pretty much what we had proposed initially, but the grant funding is significantly reduced...the governor exercised a line item veto on the funding except for $500,000...
Congratulations to Minnesota on their new Safe Patient Handling Act! Other states and the nation press on to secure legislation for the safe lifting and moving of dependent persons across all healthcare settings.
Anne Hudson, RN, BSN Founder, Work Injured Nurses’ Group USA
anne@wingusa.org www.wingusa.org
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States Pall Laws to Boost Nursing By Jennifer Larson, NurseZone feature writer
Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed May 28 a bill designed to recruit more people in the profession of nursing. Florida is especially suffering the effects of the nation’s nursing shortage, given its relatively high percentage of older people who live there.
House Bill 519 allows nurses to obtain a Florida nursing license when they move to Florida from other states of Puerto Rico, if they have had comparable training and can pass a background check. The legislation requires nurses to have three years of experience, too.
The law applies to both registered and practical nurses.
The new law also provides for the repayment of student loans for some nurse through the Florida Department of Health. Nurses who participate in the program will be required to accept a nursing job at an approved health care facility and complete 12 months of such employment for every year of scholarship assistance. http://www.nursezone.com/Job/MedicalNewsAlerts.asp?articleID=8848
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(HealthDay News) -- One in four women carries the bacterium Group B streptococcus, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. Yet most women don't know it.
That same germ can wreak havoc on a newborn child, with infection during birth possibly leading to blindness, deafness, retardation, physical disability and, in the worst cases, death.
There's a simple test that can determine whether a pregnant woman carries GBS, and an effective antibiotic therapy for protecting her child during delivery. Yet, approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS will become infected and need treatment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=604903
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NYC Has New Health Web Site Forbes - NY,USA Rates of falls, pressure ulcers and effective pain management for long term care patients. "While hospitals almost universally market themselves with ... http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/09/07/ap4093816.html ********************
This is interesting because I was told by a patient..."why do you check all my body? No one else does". Respiratory Assessment in Adults Moore, T. - Respiratory disorders are among the most common reasons for admission to critical care units in the UK. However, anecedotal evidence suggests that nursing assessment of patients' respiratory function is not performed well because it is not considered a priority and the implications of respiratory dysfunction are underestimated. It is essential that nurses are able to recognise and assess symptoms of respiratory dysfunction to provide early effective and apporpriate interventions ... Nursing Standard Online, CME
http://www.nursing-standard.co.uk/archives/ns/vol21-49/pdfs/v21n49p4856.pdf
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Hardy, J. - This article aims to update nurses who are experienced in obtaining cervical samples and stimulate interest in health professionals who wish to undertake the procedure in the future. It also provides information on the NHS cervical screening programme and its relevance in the reduction of cervical cancer. It should help the reader to understand the nature, inportance and prevention of cervical cancer, and the techniques for detection and treatment of pre-cancer ... Nursing Standard Online, 09/06/07 Free Full Text
http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/1957251/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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BusinessWeek - USAby Moira Herbst The U.S. is facing a severe nursing shortage, and it's causing increased death and illness for American patients, says a report released on Sept. 5 by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), a free market-oriented nonprofit group. As baby boomers are aging and require more care, the U.S. could face a shortage of one million nurses by 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Relieving patient suffering amid the growing crisis will require both investment in U.S. nursing training and boosting the numbers of immigrant nurses admitted to the country, says the NFAP study.
Pressure Ulcer Stages Revised by NPUAP The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel has redefined the definition of a pressure ulcer and the stages of pressure ulcers, including the original 4 stages and adding 2 stages on deep tissue injury and unstageable pressure ulcers. This work is the culmination of over 5 years of work beginning with the identification of deep tissue injury in 2001.http://www.npuap.org/pr2.htm
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Schizophrenia trials "Promising" The first human trial of a new schizophrenia drug has yielded promising results, report scientists. What sets apart the experimental drug from all other antipsychotics is its target in the brain - glutamate receptors rather than dopamine. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6971037.stm
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First Treatment Approved for Fibromyalgia Treatment The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of pregabalin (Lyrica) to treat pain and improve function among patients with fibromyalgia. Available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg capsules, Lyrica is typically given as a 300 mg to 450 mg divided daily dose with or without food. Dosage adjustment may be necessary for patients with renal impairment, with a maximum recommended dose of 100 mg three times a day for patients with creatinine clearance of at least 60 mL/min. http://www.nurse.com/drugnews/drugnews.html?ID=278
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Elderly tend to forgo prescriptions due to high Medicare co-pays Medicare plans that charge more costly co-payments for branded or nonpreferred drugs often influence seniors not to buy the medicines prescribed to them, researchers conclude. The study found that people enrolled in three-tiered plans filled almost 15% fewer prescriptions than those with single-tiered plans, while incurring higher out-of-pocket costs for their medical needs. http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/isAAnilqnvzWbAWTjL
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Years ago, while I was working in a hospital with a CNA (very worthless) was seen going from room to room wearing the same gloves.....holding her hands up as if she were ready to do surgery. When I talked to her about this. she said that she didn't want to get what the patients had !! She continued with this practice, until the manager finally corrected her. She still works there after all the write ups and complaints !!
Who doesn't wash their hands? When it comes to hand-washing, physicians and nursing assistants have a lower rate of adherence than nurses. Certain units, such as critical care, also have lower adherence. It may seem surprising that special care units have a lower rate of compliance to proper hand hygiene. But just because a patient is not active doesn't mean you cannot spread bacteria to others. Studies have found that there are a number of factors for poor adherence to proper hand hygiene. They include the following:Physician statusNursing assistant statusMale genderWorking in the intensive-care unitWorking during the week versus the weekendWearing glovesAutomated sink The above excerpt is from the online course "Hand Hygiene for Health Care Staff: Practical Steps to Protect Patients and Contain Infections." For more information on this and other courses in our library, go to http://www.hcprofessor.com .
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WING USA Legislative Update Minnesota apprears to be most recent to pass legislation for the safe handling of patients and residents. The MN "Safe Patient Handling Act" was passed 5-20-07, within the second engrossment of a large omnibus bill, House File No. 122, approved by Gov. Time Pawlenty (R) 5-25-07. The new law requires all MN licensed healthcare facilities to establish a safe patient handling (SPH) committee and a SPH program, to minimize manual lifting by nurses and other direct patient handling (SPH) equipment rather than people, to transfer, move, and reposition patients and residents in all healthcare facilities.
Omnibus bill Hf 122 is over 130 pp long, with language about SPH in three separate areas: To read online, go to http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/legis.asp. Enter "HF 122" in the House of Rep "Enter Bill Number" search box and click on "go". Click " Status of Bill in the House" for the billl's history. Under Bill Name: HF122, click "Bill Text"... Under Bill Engorssments" click "H.F.122, 2nd Engrossment" posted 5-21-07.
Elizabeth (Bettye) Shogren, RN, Health and Safety Specialist, MN Nurses Association, Bettye.Shogren@mnnurses.org, said, "The language is pretty much what we had proposed initially, but the grant funding is significantly reduced...the governor exercised a line item veto on the funding except for $500,000...
Congratulations to Minnesota on their new Safe Patient Handling Act! Other states and the nation press on to secure legislation for the safe lifting and moving of dependent persons across all healthcare settings.
Anne Hudson, RN, BSN Founder, Work Injured Nurses’ Group USA
anne@wingusa.org www.wingusa.org
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States Pall Laws to Boost Nursing By Jennifer Larson, NurseZone feature writer
Florida Governor Jeb Bush signed May 28 a bill designed to recruit more people in the profession of nursing. Florida is especially suffering the effects of the nation’s nursing shortage, given its relatively high percentage of older people who live there.
House Bill 519 allows nurses to obtain a Florida nursing license when they move to Florida from other states of Puerto Rico, if they have had comparable training and can pass a background check. The legislation requires nurses to have three years of experience, too.
The law applies to both registered and practical nurses.
The new law also provides for the repayment of student loans for some nurse through the Florida Department of Health. Nurses who participate in the program will be required to accept a nursing job at an approved health care facility and complete 12 months of such employment for every year of scholarship assistance. http://www.nursezone.com/Job/MedicalNewsAlerts.asp?articleID=8848
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(HealthDay News) -- One in four women carries the bacterium Group B streptococcus, the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns. Yet most women don't know it.
That same germ can wreak havoc on a newborn child, with infection during birth possibly leading to blindness, deafness, retardation, physical disability and, in the worst cases, death.
There's a simple test that can determine whether a pregnant woman carries GBS, and an effective antibiotic therapy for protecting her child during delivery. Yet, approximately one of every 100 to 200 babies whose mothers carry GBS will become infected and need treatment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=604903
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NYC Has New Health Web Site Forbes - NY,USA Rates of falls, pressure ulcers and effective pain management for long term care patients. "While hospitals almost universally market themselves with ... http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/09/07/ap4093816.html ********************
This is interesting because I was told by a patient..."why do you check all my body? No one else does". Respiratory Assessment in Adults Moore, T. - Respiratory disorders are among the most common reasons for admission to critical care units in the UK. However, anecedotal evidence suggests that nursing assessment of patients' respiratory function is not performed well because it is not considered a priority and the implications of respiratory dysfunction are underestimated. It is essential that nurses are able to recognise and assess symptoms of respiratory dysfunction to provide early effective and apporpriate interventions ... Nursing Standard Online, CME
http://www.nursing-standard.co.uk/archives/ns/vol21-49/pdfs/v21n49p4856.pdf
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Hardy, J. - This article aims to update nurses who are experienced in obtaining cervical samples and stimulate interest in health professionals who wish to undertake the procedure in the future. It also provides information on the NHS cervical screening programme and its relevance in the reduction of cervical cancer. It should help the reader to understand the nature, inportance and prevention of cervical cancer, and the techniques for detection and treatment of pre-cancer ... Nursing Standard Online, 09/06/07 Free Full Text
http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/1957251/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
******************************
BusinessWeek - USAby Moira Herbst The U.S. is facing a severe nursing shortage, and it's causing increased death and illness for American patients, says a report released on Sept. 5 by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), a free market-oriented nonprofit group. As baby boomers are aging and require more care, the U.S. could face a shortage of one million nurses by 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Relieving patient suffering amid the growing crisis will require both investment in U.S. nursing training and boosting the numbers of immigrant nurses admitted to the country, says the NFAP study.
Nursing Applicants Turned Away
"It's simple: Not enough nurses means bad patient outcomes," says Stuart Anderson, executive director of NFAP. "Nurses make a great difference in preventing infection, illness, and death, and public policy needs to ensure there are enough of them." The NFAP study, entitled "Deadly Consequences: The Hidden Impact of America's Nursing Shortage," is in part a review of the medical literature on the shortage and in part a set of policy proposals. NFAP cites a number of studies, including one by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on surgery patients, which found that increasing a nurse's workload from four to eight patients could be accompanied by a 31% increase in patient mortality. The study concluded that "substantial decreases in mortality rates could result from increasing registered nurse staffing, especially for patients who develop complications." ... http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db2007095_010041.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_businessweek+exclusives
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The Joint Commission Enhances Quality Check Website
(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – October 3, 2007) Patients looking for information about where to go for their health care needs can now find an even more complete listing of health care organizations on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check® website (www.qualitycheck.org).
The Joint Commission’s Quality Check® website now includes health care organizations that are not accredited by The Joint Commission. The addition of organizations that are not accredited by The Joint Commission provides health care consumers with more information and highlights the value of accreditation. The enhanced Quality Check® website is now the most comprehensive national directory of health care facilities http://www.qualitycheck.org/consumer/searchQCR.aspx
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Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Bactermia: An Analysis of Risk Factors and Background Persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (pSAB) is an emerging problem among hospitalized patients. We studied key clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with pSAB to better define the epidemiological features of this increasingly recognized clinical entity... http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/167/17/1861
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Some Diabetes Treatment as Bad as the Disease CHICAGO, Sept. 27 -- Treatment for type 2 diabetes may rival in inconvenience the complications of the disease, researchers here found. Patients rated the burden of comprehensive diabetes care -- intensive control of diabetes, blood pressure, and other risk factors -- similar to having angina, diabetic nerve damage, or diabetic kidney damage (all P>0.04), reported Elbert S. Huang, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Chicago here, and colleagues, in the October issue of Diabetes Care. In their medical cost-effectiveness analysis, quality of life during intensive glucose control was likewise rated similar to having diabetic neuropathy (P>0.01). The findings may have implications for compliance as well as for efforts to improve disease management, the researchers said. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Diabetes/tb/6805
*****************
Including your kids on grocery store outings is a great idea. Putting them in the cart isn't. A stunning 24,000 kids wound up in the emergency room in 2005 as a result of shopping-cart accidents. If possible, don't put your child in the front seat of the regular wire carts. They are designed with a high center of gravity and can easily tip over, even when a child is properly seated. Instead, look for carts with molded plastic seats attached to them (they often look like race cars). These carts are a bit bulky, but the seating is low to the ground, which makes them far safer.
If you're shopping with a baby, don't put the infant carrier on top of the shopping cart. Instead, use a strap-on chest carrier that holds your baby against your body, leaving your arms free. If your children are old enough to maneuver a kid-sized cart around the store, ask them to fill it with five items from your grocery list. This will give them the power to make some decisions about food, which makes healthy eating easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Just be sure to teach them the rules of the road -- or aisles -- first! References: Shopping-cart-related injuries to children. Smith, G. A.; Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics 2006 Aug;118(2):e540-e544.
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FDA Should Reconsider Prostate Cancer Vaccine, Expert Says For patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), an advanced stage of prostate cancer that occurs when the disease no longer responds to hormone therapy, few treatments exist to stop the disease from spreading or improve quality of life. Provenge®, which represents a new class of drugs designed to stimulate a patient's own immune system and significantly improves survival, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel. Despite the panel’s recommendation, the vaccine later was not approved by the FDA. According to Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH, in the June 2007 issue of Urologic Nursing, the FDA rejection represents a trend in medicine in which science trumps humanity.... http://www.suna.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SUNAMain.woa/1/wa/viewSection?wosid=QbKY70rNuF8V3Bs5rysJr24sVqL&tName=releasesJuly07NewsBriefs&s_id=1073743847
&ss_id=536873082
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Nurse Practitioners and the Chronic Care model There are many definitions of "chronic condition", some more expansive than others. We characterize it as any condition that requires ongoing adjustments by the affected person and interactions with the health care system. 133 million people, or almost half of all Americans, live with a chronic condition. 1 That number is projected to increase by more than one percent per year by 2030, resulting in an estimated chronically ill population of 171 million.
Almost half of all people with chronic illness have multiple conditions. As a result, many managed care and integrated delivery systems have taken a great interest in correcting the many deficiencies in current management of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, asthma and others.... http://www.improvingchroniccare.org/index.php?p=The_Chronic_Care_Model&s=2
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This week, in their ANA Smart Brief, the American Nurses Association highlighted the study regarding health literacy problems being linked to higher mortality rates that was published in the Chicago Tribune.
Literacy Can Be a Matter of Life and Death You've just been prescribed a new medication by your doctor, and the bottle says: "Take this on an empty stomach one hour before a meal or two hours after a meal." Lunch is at noon. When should you take your medicine?Maybe this is easy for you to answer; maybe you had to stop and think for a second or two. But imagine what it would be like if you had problems reading in general: The results could be not only frustrating but disastrous.Ninety million people in the U.S. alone struggle with health literacy, according to the American Medical Association. Health literacy is defined by the Institutes of Medicine as the degree to which an individual can obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. That means any of 90 million Americans might be leaving a doctor's office with an asthma inhaler they don't understand how to use, getting diabetes medication whose directions are a blur or rushing by car to the hospital with chest pains but can't read the signs to the emergency room.
Statistics are scaryNow a study at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reveals more frightening statistics. Dr. David Baker, chief of general internal medicine at the school, and his colleagues followed 3,260 patients older than 65 and found that one-quarter were deemed medically illiterate based on tests of their ability to comprehend common medical information such as prescription labels, appointment slips and instructions on preparing for an X-ray.This resulted in problems far greater than missed doctor visits or one too few pills swallowed: Those people with poor health literacy had a 50 percent higher mortality rate over five years compared with peers who had adequate reading skills....http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-0925_health_literacy_halfsep25,1,6475676.story?ctrack=3&cset=true (You will need to register to read the rest......registration is free and very easy)
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Promoting Clinical Competence: Using Scaffolded Instruction for Practice-BasedLearning Donna Scott Tilley, Patricia Allen, Cathie Collins, Ruth Ann Bridges, Patricia Francis, Alexia Green pages 285-289 http://www.professionalnursing.org/article/PIIS8755722307000300/abstract
If anyone is interested in subscribing to this Elsevier e-mail journal....here is the site:
http://www.professionalnursing.org .
***********************
Five-Level Triage Ranks ED Patients by Acuity... ED triage system rates patient acuity level from one (Most urgent) to Five (non-urgent) 09/17/07 Eager to improve emergency department throughput while enhancing patient safety with more accurate and reliable triage, hospitals have turned to five-level triage systems that rank patients in terms of the severity of their condition.
“It predicts resource use and acuity of patients,” says Karen Toulson, RN, MSN, CEN, nurse manager of Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., referring to the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) used at her facility. “You can predict how many patients are going to be admitted...We can plan ahead.” seek ways to cope with greater patient volumes...
Many hospitals have turned to five-level triage “Emergency departments have become increasingly burdened with patients, and the number of visits is growing at phenomenal rates,” Bonalumi says. “Being able to accurately assess patients when they come in the door is really important if there are going to be long delays in getting care.”as thes Nancy Bonalumi, RN, MS, CEN, immediate past president of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).
http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070917/CA09/309170011
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New drug combo could speed TB treatment: U.S. study CHICAGO (Reuters) 9/19/07- Adding a new antibiotic to the standard mix of drugs used to treat tuberculosis could shave at least two months off the current grueling six-month regimen, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
By substituting the Bayer antibiotic moxifloxacin for an older drug, researchers said they saw a 17 percent increase in effectiveness. "Our finding shows that moxifloxacin is potent against tuberculosis," Dr. Richard Chaisson of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said in an interview. "It shows very dramatically that people get better faster."
"It's simple: Not enough nurses means bad patient outcomes," says Stuart Anderson, executive director of NFAP. "Nurses make a great difference in preventing infection, illness, and death, and public policy needs to ensure there are enough of them." The NFAP study, entitled "Deadly Consequences: The Hidden Impact of America's Nursing Shortage," is in part a review of the medical literature on the shortage and in part a set of policy proposals. NFAP cites a number of studies, including one by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on surgery patients, which found that increasing a nurse's workload from four to eight patients could be accompanied by a 31% increase in patient mortality. The study concluded that "substantial decreases in mortality rates could result from increasing registered nurse staffing, especially for patients who develop complications." ... http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db2007095_010041.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index_businessweek+exclusives
*******************
The Joint Commission Enhances Quality Check Website
(OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. – October 3, 2007) Patients looking for information about where to go for their health care needs can now find an even more complete listing of health care organizations on The Joint Commission’s Quality Check® website (www.qualitycheck.org).
The Joint Commission’s Quality Check® website now includes health care organizations that are not accredited by The Joint Commission. The addition of organizations that are not accredited by The Joint Commission provides health care consumers with more information and highlights the value of accreditation. The enhanced Quality Check® website is now the most comprehensive national directory of health care facilities http://www.qualitycheck.org/consumer/searchQCR.aspx
***************
Persistent Staphylococcus aureus Bactermia: An Analysis of Risk Factors and Background Persistent Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (pSAB) is an emerging problem among hospitalized patients. We studied key clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with pSAB to better define the epidemiological features of this increasingly recognized clinical entity... http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/167/17/1861
*****************
Some Diabetes Treatment as Bad as the Disease CHICAGO, Sept. 27 -- Treatment for type 2 diabetes may rival in inconvenience the complications of the disease, researchers here found. Patients rated the burden of comprehensive diabetes care -- intensive control of diabetes, blood pressure, and other risk factors -- similar to having angina, diabetic nerve damage, or diabetic kidney damage (all P>0.04), reported Elbert S. Huang, M.D., M.P.H., of the University of Chicago here, and colleagues, in the October issue of Diabetes Care. In their medical cost-effectiveness analysis, quality of life during intensive glucose control was likewise rated similar to having diabetic neuropathy (P>0.01). The findings may have implications for compliance as well as for efforts to improve disease management, the researchers said. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/Diabetes/tb/6805
*****************
Including your kids on grocery store outings is a great idea. Putting them in the cart isn't. A stunning 24,000 kids wound up in the emergency room in 2005 as a result of shopping-cart accidents. If possible, don't put your child in the front seat of the regular wire carts. They are designed with a high center of gravity and can easily tip over, even when a child is properly seated. Instead, look for carts with molded plastic seats attached to them (they often look like race cars). These carts are a bit bulky, but the seating is low to the ground, which makes them far safer.
If you're shopping with a baby, don't put the infant carrier on top of the shopping cart. Instead, use a strap-on chest carrier that holds your baby against your body, leaving your arms free. If your children are old enough to maneuver a kid-sized cart around the store, ask them to fill it with five items from your grocery list. This will give them the power to make some decisions about food, which makes healthy eating easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Just be sure to teach them the rules of the road -- or aisles -- first! References: Shopping-cart-related injuries to children. Smith, G. A.; Committee on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics 2006 Aug;118(2):e540-e544.
******************
FDA Should Reconsider Prostate Cancer Vaccine, Expert Says For patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), an advanced stage of prostate cancer that occurs when the disease no longer responds to hormone therapy, few treatments exist to stop the disease from spreading or improve quality of life. Provenge®, which represents a new class of drugs designed to stimulate a patient's own immune system and significantly improves survival, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel. Despite the panel’s recommendation, the vaccine later was not approved by the FDA. According to Mark A. Moyad, MD, MPH, in the June 2007 issue of Urologic Nursing, the FDA rejection represents a trend in medicine in which science trumps humanity.... http://www.suna.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/SUNAMain.woa/1/wa/viewSection?wosid=QbKY70rNuF8V3Bs5rysJr24sVqL&tName=releasesJuly07NewsBriefs&s_id=1073743847
&ss_id=536873082
*****************************
Nurse Practitioners and the Chronic Care model There are many definitions of "chronic condition", some more expansive than others. We characterize it as any condition that requires ongoing adjustments by the affected person and interactions with the health care system. 133 million people, or almost half of all Americans, live with a chronic condition. 1 That number is projected to increase by more than one percent per year by 2030, resulting in an estimated chronically ill population of 171 million.
Almost half of all people with chronic illness have multiple conditions. As a result, many managed care and integrated delivery systems have taken a great interest in correcting the many deficiencies in current management of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, asthma and others.... http://www.improvingchroniccare.org/index.php?p=The_Chronic_Care_Model&s=2
**********************
This week, in their ANA Smart Brief, the American Nurses Association highlighted the study regarding health literacy problems being linked to higher mortality rates that was published in the Chicago Tribune.
Literacy Can Be a Matter of Life and Death You've just been prescribed a new medication by your doctor, and the bottle says: "Take this on an empty stomach one hour before a meal or two hours after a meal." Lunch is at noon. When should you take your medicine?Maybe this is easy for you to answer; maybe you had to stop and think for a second or two. But imagine what it would be like if you had problems reading in general: The results could be not only frustrating but disastrous.Ninety million people in the U.S. alone struggle with health literacy, according to the American Medical Association. Health literacy is defined by the Institutes of Medicine as the degree to which an individual can obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. That means any of 90 million Americans might be leaving a doctor's office with an asthma inhaler they don't understand how to use, getting diabetes medication whose directions are a blur or rushing by car to the hospital with chest pains but can't read the signs to the emergency room.
Statistics are scaryNow a study at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine reveals more frightening statistics. Dr. David Baker, chief of general internal medicine at the school, and his colleagues followed 3,260 patients older than 65 and found that one-quarter were deemed medically illiterate based on tests of their ability to comprehend common medical information such as prescription labels, appointment slips and instructions on preparing for an X-ray.This resulted in problems far greater than missed doctor visits or one too few pills swallowed: Those people with poor health literacy had a 50 percent higher mortality rate over five years compared with peers who had adequate reading skills....http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/lifestyle/health/chi-0925_health_literacy_halfsep25,1,6475676.story?ctrack=3&cset=true (You will need to register to read the rest......registration is free and very easy)
********************
Promoting Clinical Competence: Using Scaffolded Instruction for Practice-BasedLearning Donna Scott Tilley, Patricia Allen, Cathie Collins, Ruth Ann Bridges, Patricia Francis, Alexia Green pages 285-289 http://www.professionalnursing.org/article/PIIS8755722307000300/abstract
If anyone is interested in subscribing to this Elsevier e-mail journal....here is the site:
http://www.professionalnursing.org .
***********************
Five-Level Triage Ranks ED Patients by Acuity... ED triage system rates patient acuity level from one (Most urgent) to Five (non-urgent) 09/17/07 Eager to improve emergency department throughput while enhancing patient safety with more accurate and reliable triage, hospitals have turned to five-level triage systems that rank patients in terms of the severity of their condition.
“It predicts resource use and acuity of patients,” says Karen Toulson, RN, MSN, CEN, nurse manager of Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del., referring to the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) used at her facility. “You can predict how many patients are going to be admitted...We can plan ahead.” seek ways to cope with greater patient volumes...
Many hospitals have turned to five-level triage “Emergency departments have become increasingly burdened with patients, and the number of visits is growing at phenomenal rates,” Bonalumi says. “Being able to accurately assess patients when they come in the door is really important if there are going to be long delays in getting care.”as thes Nancy Bonalumi, RN, MS, CEN, immediate past president of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).
http://news.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070917/CA09/309170011
********************
New drug combo could speed TB treatment: U.S. study CHICAGO (Reuters) 9/19/07- Adding a new antibiotic to the standard mix of drugs used to treat tuberculosis could shave at least two months off the current grueling six-month regimen, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
By substituting the Bayer antibiotic moxifloxacin for an older drug, researchers said they saw a 17 percent increase in effectiveness. "Our finding shows that moxifloxacin is potent against tuberculosis," Dr. Richard Chaisson of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said in an interview. "It shows very dramatically that people get better faster."
Chaisson, who presented his findings at the Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy meeting in Chicago, said adding this antibiotic could cut treatment time by about two months. "If we simplify treatment, it will be easier for people to take the drugs," he said.
People often do not take their full regimen of TB drugs, which has in turn spawned drug resistance, making TB more dangerous and more difficult to treat. Shortening treatment time could help people stick to the prescribed therapy better and reduce the development of resistant strains, Chaisson said. ... http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2007/09/19/eline/links/20070919elin009.html
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Most women unclear on hormone therapy risks NEW YORK (Reuters Health) 9.26/07 - Fewer than one third of women 40 to 60 years old have heard about the landmark study that found the risks of hormone therapy for most menopausal women probably outweigh their benefits.
And just 40 percent got more answers right than wrong on a series of questions about whether hormone therapy increased or reduced the risk of seven different conditions, according to the report in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.
"Even with this enormously well-publicized clinical trial, a substantial number of women are not aware of the Women's Health Initiative, and their knowledge of the clinical impact of hormone therapy is poor," Dr. Alison J. Rigby of Stanford University School of Medicine in California and her colleagues write.
In July 2002, the first results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) were published, showing that taking estrogen plus progesterone for more than four years boosted risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Two years later, an increased risk of stroke and life-threatening blood clots was reported among women taking estrogen only. ... http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2007/09/26/eline/links/20070926elin005.
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Most women unclear on hormone therapy risks NEW YORK (Reuters Health) 9.26/07 - Fewer than one third of women 40 to 60 years old have heard about the landmark study that found the risks of hormone therapy for most menopausal women probably outweigh their benefits.
And just 40 percent got more answers right than wrong on a series of questions about whether hormone therapy increased or reduced the risk of seven different conditions, according to the report in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society.
"Even with this enormously well-publicized clinical trial, a substantial number of women are not aware of the Women's Health Initiative, and their knowledge of the clinical impact of hormone therapy is poor," Dr. Alison J. Rigby of Stanford University School of Medicine in California and her colleagues write.
In July 2002, the first results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) were published, showing that taking estrogen plus progesterone for more than four years boosted risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Two years later, an increased risk of stroke and life-threatening blood clots was reported among women taking estrogen only. ... http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2007/09/26/eline/links/20070926elin005.
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Questioniing: A toll in the nurse educator's kit Nicholl, M., et al. - Effective questioning is one of the most important teaching techniques and plays a crucial role in creating an effective learning environment. Yet, in nurse education little has been written about this technique or its importance. The functions of questioning, types of questions and the key skills required for the effective use of this teaching strategy are outlined in this article ...
Nurse Education in Practice, 10/10/07 http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1471595306000990
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Preparing patients for hip and knee replacement surgery Lucas, B., - This article considers the pre-operative physical, psychological and social factors that affect the outcomes of patients undergoing total hip and total knee replacement surgery. The implications for patient assessment before surgery are discussed and suggestions made about how interventions can be tailored so that patients' needs are met ... Nursing Standard Online, 10/09/07 CME Free Full Text http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/2007702/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=39
Questioniing: A toll in the nurse educator's kit Nicholl, M., et al. - Effective questioning is one of the most important teaching techniques and plays a crucial role in creating an effective learning environment. Yet, in nurse education little has been written about this technique or its importance. The functions of questioning, types of questions and the key skills required for the effective use of this teaching strategy are outlined in this article ...
Nurse Education in Practice, 10/10/07 http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1471595306000990
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Preparing patients for hip and knee replacement surgery Lucas, B., - This article considers the pre-operative physical, psychological and social factors that affect the outcomes of patients undergoing total hip and total knee replacement surgery. The implications for patient assessment before surgery are discussed and suggestions made about how interventions can be tailored so that patients' needs are met ... Nursing Standard Online, 10/09/07 CME Free Full Text http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/2007702/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=39
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Partner Violence Among Women Before, During, and After Pregnancy Multiple Opportunities for Intervention Macy, R., et al. - Pregnant and postpartum women are in need of comprehensive services that promote both their health and safety. This study offers care providers clinical implications for their work with pregnant and postpartum women, as well as policy and research recommendations ... Women's Health Issues, 10/09/07 http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/2012009/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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Strategies for coping with shift work Peate, I., - Shift work is a requirement of nursing and essential to provide patients with optimum levels of continuouse care. However, working shift patterns can have deleterious effects on the health of nursing staff and patient safety. Adverse effects can be physical and/or psychological. This article focuses on some of the consequesnces of a disrupted circadian rhythm, provides advice on coping with shift work, in particular night-time shifts and offers some practical recommendations for practice ... Nursing Standard Online, 10/08/07 Free full text
http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/2007718/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=399
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Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American Women Cosgrove, M.C., et al. - Nutritional factors play a key role in normal dermatologic functioning. However, little is known about the effects of diet on skin-aging appearance...Conclusions: Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population ... American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 10/08/07
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Partner Violence Among Women Before, During, and After Pregnancy Multiple Opportunities for Intervention Macy, R., et al. - Pregnant and postpartum women are in need of comprehensive services that promote both their health and safety. This study offers care providers clinical implications for their work with pregnant and postpartum women, as well as policy and research recommendations ... Women's Health Issues, 10/09/07 http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/2012009/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=410
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Strategies for coping with shift work Peate, I., - Shift work is a requirement of nursing and essential to provide patients with optimum levels of continuouse care. However, working shift patterns can have deleterious effects on the health of nursing staff and patient safety. Adverse effects can be physical and/or psychological. This article focuses on some of the consequesnces of a disrupted circadian rhythm, provides advice on coping with shift work, in particular night-time shifts and offers some practical recommendations for practice ... Nursing Standard Online, 10/08/07 Free full text
http://www.mdlinx.com/NurseLinx/newsl-article.cfm/2007718/?user_id=157159&email=rnfrankie@aol.com&news_id=399
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Dietary nutrient intakes and skin-aging appearance among middle-aged American Women Cosgrove, M.C., et al. - Nutritional factors play a key role in normal dermatologic functioning. However, little is known about the effects of diet on skin-aging appearance...Conclusions: Higher intakes of vitamin C and linoleic acid and lower intakes of fats and carbohydrates are associated with better skin-aging appearance. Promoting healthy dietary behaviors may have additional benefit for skin appearance in addition to other health outcomes in the population ... American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 10/08/07
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HUMOR SECTION
Only a nurse who has "been there" could laugh at this article. Too bad all the candidates /legislators aren't forced to follow a nurse.
Hillary Clinton Walks in Nurse's Shoes
Although Sen. Hillary Clinton spent only a couple of hours following Michelle Estrada, RN, around a medical-surgical unit at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Las Vegas, the presidential candidate ended the day saying that Estrada had worked her to the bone.
“I came away with a greater appreciation and respect for the work our nurses do,” said Clinton, at a press conference following the event.
Clinton, wearing a pink smock, joined Estrada toward the end of a 12-hour shift and watched as the nurse performed a PICC-line procedure, tended to a patient in respiratory distress, brought a patient’s super high blood pressure under control, monitored lab work on a heparinized patient, and prepared a new admission for emergency surgery. Clinton seemed a bit surprised by how much happened simultaneously and the pace Estrada kept. http://www.nursezone.com/job/MedicalNewsAlerts.asp?articleID=16779&page=On+the+job&profile=Nursing+news&headline=Hillary+Clinton+Walks+in+Nurse%27s+Shoes%09
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Hillary Clinton Walks in Nurse's Shoes
Although Sen. Hillary Clinton spent only a couple of hours following Michelle Estrada, RN, around a medical-surgical unit at St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Las Vegas, the presidential candidate ended the day saying that Estrada had worked her to the bone.
“I came away with a greater appreciation and respect for the work our nurses do,” said Clinton, at a press conference following the event.
Clinton, wearing a pink smock, joined Estrada toward the end of a 12-hour shift and watched as the nurse performed a PICC-line procedure, tended to a patient in respiratory distress, brought a patient’s super high blood pressure under control, monitored lab work on a heparinized patient, and prepared a new admission for emergency surgery. Clinton seemed a bit surprised by how much happened simultaneously and the pace Estrada kept. http://www.nursezone.com/job/MedicalNewsAlerts.asp?articleID=16779&page=On+the+job&profile=Nursing+news&headline=Hillary+Clinton+Walks+in+Nurse%27s+Shoes%09
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CEU SITES---(CME and CNE)
Those that are-----Free and Otherwise..........
A website offering free CEU s: http://www.medscape.com/cmecenterdirectory/nurses
CE 450 / 1.0 hr Post-Polio Syndrome Five years ago, Ann Madden took care of her house and garden and belonged to a walking group. Today, at age 63, she uses a wheelchair to compensate for her muscle weakness and balance problems. She has trouble sleeping, is in constant pain, and has problems concentrating, especially when she’s tired. On the days that she wakens refreshed, she feels exhausted by midmorning.
These are some of the symptoms experienced by people who had polio as children or young adults decades ago. Between 12 million and 20 million people worldwide have a polio-associated disability.1 In the United States, an estimated 440,000 polio survivors are now experiencing or at risk of post-polio syndrome.2
The Salk and Sabin polio vaccines, which became widely available in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s,3 have eradicated polio in developed countries. As a result, today many healthcare providers know little about polio infection and its consequences. http://www.nurse.com/ce/course.html?CCID=4181
Pay Only $34.99 for a full year of CONTACT HOURS http://www.nursingspectrum.com /
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These are some of the symptoms experienced by people who had polio as children or young adults decades ago. Between 12 million and 20 million people worldwide have a polio-associated disability.1 In the United States, an estimated 440,000 polio survivors are now experiencing or at risk of post-polio syndrome.2
The Salk and Sabin polio vaccines, which became widely available in the United States in the 1950s and 1960s,3 have eradicated polio in developed countries. As a result, today many healthcare providers know little about polio infection and its consequences. http://www.nurse.com/ce/course.html?CCID=4181
Pay Only $34.99 for a full year of CONTACT HOURS http://www.nursingspectrum.com /
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WEBSITES/ LINKS
Always on the lookout for interesting websites / links. Please send them to:RNFrankie@AOL.com.
http://www.snopes.com/
http://www.snopes.com/
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MEDICAL RECALLS
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Bayer Healthcare and FDA notified healthcare professionals and consumers of a Class 1 Recall of Bayer Ascensia Contour Blood Glucose Monitoring System, Product 7152A. This system is used by diabetic patients to measure the amount of glucose in their blood, and as an aid in monitoring the effectiveness of diabetes management.The product was recalled because the meters reported the wrong units of measure for Canadian users. Instead of mmol/L, which is the appropriate measurement for Canadian users, the meters were reporting mg/dL. Consumers may misinterpret the blood glucose results displayed, overestimate the blood glucose levels, and may have a reaction of hypoglycemia. Patients with questions should call Bayer Healthcare at 1-574-256-3441.... http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#ascencia
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Baxa Corporation Exacta-Mix 2400 Operating Software Version 1.07 Pharmacy Compound System Audience: Compounding pharmacies, hospitals, other healthcare professionals[Posted 09/27/2007] Baxa Corporation and FDA informed healthcare professionals of a class I recall of Exacta-Mix 2400 Operating Software Version 1.07, Model No. 8300-0073, Pharmacy Compound System. The device is a compounding system that can be used in pharmacies to add and mix various ingredients into one intravenous (IV) solution. The device is being recalled because a software failure allowed up to 50mL extra volume of an ingredient to be added to the IV solution that can be life-threatening, particularly in newborns. FDA advises healthcare professionals to stop using this product and contact the manufacturer for a replacement. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-062707.html
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Bisphosphonates marketed as Alendronate (Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D), Etidronate (Didronel), Ibandronate (Boniva), Pamidronate (Aredia), Risedronate (Actonel, Actonel W/Calcium), Tiludronate (Skelid), and Zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa)
[Posted 10/01/2007] FDA issued an early communication about the ongoing review of new safety data regarding the association of atrial fibrillation with the use of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used primarily to increase bone mass and reduce the risk for fracture in patients with osteoporosis, slow bone turnover in patients with Paget’s disease of the bone, treat bone metastases, and lower elevated levels of blood calcium in patients with cancer. FDA reviewed spontaneous postmarketing reports of atrial fibrillation reported in association with oral and intravenous bisphosphonates and did not identify a population of bisphosphonate users at increased risk of atrial fibrillation. In addition, as part of the data review for the recent approval of once-yearly Reclast for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, FDA evaluated the possible association between atrial fibrillation and the use of Reclast. Most cases of atrial fibrillation occurred more than a month after drug infusion. Also, in a subset of patients monitored by electrocardiogram up to the 11th day following infusion, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation between patients who received Reclast and patients who received placebo. Upon initial review, it is unclear how these data on serious atrial fibrillation should be interpreted. Therefore, FDA does not believe that healthcare providers or patients should change either their prescribing practices or their use of bisphosphonates at this time. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/bisphosphonates.htm
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Cochlear Implants [Posted 10/10/2007] FDA informed healthcare professionals and consumers that the Cochlear Implant device used in profoundly deaf or severely hard-of hearing patients has been associated with some increased risk of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Children implanted with Cochlear Implants with a positioner component are at a greater risk. There were two cases of deaths from meningitis within the past year in children, ages 9 and 11, implanted with cochlear implants with positioners. Neither child was fully vaccinated, and one died because of the lack of vaccination. FDA reminds healthcare professionals and consumers that recipients of this device must be fully immunized according to the Center for Disease (CDC) vaccination recommendations. Because children with Cochlear Implants are at increased risk for pneumococcal meningitis, CDC recommends that they receive pneumococcal vaccination under the same schedules that apply to other individuals at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/101007-cochlear.html[October 10, 2007 - Public Health Notification - FDA][October 10, 2007 - Advice for Patients - FDA]
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Long Weekend Dietary Supplement [Posted 06/15/2007] Confidence, Inc. informed consumers and healthcare professionals of a nationwide recall of Long Weekend, a product sold as a dietary supplement through mail orders and retailers located nationwide, and in Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. The product was recalled because it contained undeclared tadalafil, an FDA approved drug used to treat male Erectile Dysfunction (ED). This poses a threat to consumers because tadalafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Long Weekend is not approved by FDA; therefore, the safety and effectiveness of this product is unknown. Consumers should discontinue use of Long Weekend and consult their healthcare professional about approved treatments for ED. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/confidence06_07.html
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Abbott Laboratories and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class I Recall of all lots of the Architect Stat Troponin-1 Immunoassay.
Bayer Healthcare and FDA notified healthcare professionals and consumers of a Class 1 Recall of Bayer Ascensia Contour Blood Glucose Monitoring System, Product 7152A. This system is used by diabetic patients to measure the amount of glucose in their blood, and as an aid in monitoring the effectiveness of diabetes management.The product was recalled because the meters reported the wrong units of measure for Canadian users. Instead of mmol/L, which is the appropriate measurement for Canadian users, the meters were reporting mg/dL. Consumers may misinterpret the blood glucose results displayed, overestimate the blood glucose levels, and may have a reaction of hypoglycemia. Patients with questions should call Bayer Healthcare at 1-574-256-3441.... http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#ascencia
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Baxa Corporation Exacta-Mix 2400 Operating Software Version 1.07 Pharmacy Compound System Audience: Compounding pharmacies, hospitals, other healthcare professionals[Posted 09/27/2007] Baxa Corporation and FDA informed healthcare professionals of a class I recall of Exacta-Mix 2400 Operating Software Version 1.07, Model No. 8300-0073, Pharmacy Compound System. The device is a compounding system that can be used in pharmacies to add and mix various ingredients into one intravenous (IV) solution. The device is being recalled because a software failure allowed up to 50mL extra volume of an ingredient to be added to the IV solution that can be life-threatening, particularly in newborns. FDA advises healthcare professionals to stop using this product and contact the manufacturer for a replacement. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/recalls/recall-062707.html
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Bisphosphonates marketed as Alendronate (Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D), Etidronate (Didronel), Ibandronate (Boniva), Pamidronate (Aredia), Risedronate (Actonel, Actonel W/Calcium), Tiludronate (Skelid), and Zoledronic acid (Reclast, Zometa)
[Posted 10/01/2007] FDA issued an early communication about the ongoing review of new safety data regarding the association of atrial fibrillation with the use of bisphosphonates. Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs used primarily to increase bone mass and reduce the risk for fracture in patients with osteoporosis, slow bone turnover in patients with Paget’s disease of the bone, treat bone metastases, and lower elevated levels of blood calcium in patients with cancer. FDA reviewed spontaneous postmarketing reports of atrial fibrillation reported in association with oral and intravenous bisphosphonates and did not identify a population of bisphosphonate users at increased risk of atrial fibrillation. In addition, as part of the data review for the recent approval of once-yearly Reclast for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, FDA evaluated the possible association between atrial fibrillation and the use of Reclast. Most cases of atrial fibrillation occurred more than a month after drug infusion. Also, in a subset of patients monitored by electrocardiogram up to the 11th day following infusion, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation between patients who received Reclast and patients who received placebo. Upon initial review, it is unclear how these data on serious atrial fibrillation should be interpreted. Therefore, FDA does not believe that healthcare providers or patients should change either their prescribing practices or their use of bisphosphonates at this time. http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/early_comm/bisphosphonates.htm
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Cochlear Implants [Posted 10/10/2007] FDA informed healthcare professionals and consumers that the Cochlear Implant device used in profoundly deaf or severely hard-of hearing patients has been associated with some increased risk of bacterial meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Children implanted with Cochlear Implants with a positioner component are at a greater risk. There were two cases of deaths from meningitis within the past year in children, ages 9 and 11, implanted with cochlear implants with positioners. Neither child was fully vaccinated, and one died because of the lack of vaccination. FDA reminds healthcare professionals and consumers that recipients of this device must be fully immunized according to the Center for Disease (CDC) vaccination recommendations. Because children with Cochlear Implants are at increased risk for pneumococcal meningitis, CDC recommends that they receive pneumococcal vaccination under the same schedules that apply to other individuals at high risk for invasive pneumococcal disease. http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/101007-cochlear.html[October 10, 2007 - Public Health Notification - FDA][October 10, 2007 - Advice for Patients - FDA]
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Long Weekend Dietary Supplement [Posted 06/15/2007] Confidence, Inc. informed consumers and healthcare professionals of a nationwide recall of Long Weekend, a product sold as a dietary supplement through mail orders and retailers located nationwide, and in Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. The product was recalled because it contained undeclared tadalafil, an FDA approved drug used to treat male Erectile Dysfunction (ED). This poses a threat to consumers because tadalafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may lower blood pressure to dangerous levels. Long Weekend is not approved by FDA; therefore, the safety and effectiveness of this product is unknown. Consumers should discontinue use of Long Weekend and consult their healthcare professional about approved treatments for ED. http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/confidence06_07.html
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Abbott Laboratories and FDA notified healthcare professionals of a Class I Recall of all lots of the Architect Stat Troponin-1 Immunoassay.
Doctors use this test in diagnosing damage to the heart
and/or a heart attack in people who have had chest pain. The product was recalled aftera small number of clinical laboratories reported inconsistent or invalid test results at very low levels of troponin-1 (i.e., less than 0.1ng/mL). The assay may report falsely elevated or falsely decreasedresults at and near this low level, which may impact patient treatment. Laboratories are advised to be cautious when reporting results at or near the lower limit of detection and to advise physicians ordering the tests about the possibility of inaccurate results at those levels. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Architect
and/or a heart attack in people who have had chest pain. The product was recalled aftera small number of clinical laboratories reported inconsistent or invalid test results at very low levels of troponin-1 (i.e., less than 0.1ng/mL). The assay may report falsely elevated or falsely decreasedresults at and near this low level, which may impact patient treatment. Laboratories are advised to be cautious when reporting results at or near the lower limit of detection and to advise physicians ordering the tests about the possibility of inaccurate results at those levels. http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2007/safety07.htm#Architect
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NURSING HINTS CORNER
Soaking up a urine specimen
When I have to obtain a urine specimen for a dipstick test from a young child who wears
diapers, I put a cotton ball on the patient's urinary meatus or penis. I cover the cotton ball with a carefully padded plastic cover that come with the packaging of nipples.
Then I replace the diaper. When the patient voids, the cotton ball becomes saturated with urine. This saves us from using a bag collection device each time we want to test glucose or protein levels.
Soaking up a urine specimen
When I have to obtain a urine specimen for a dipstick test from a young child who wears
diapers, I put a cotton ball on the patient's urinary meatus or penis. I cover the cotton ball with a carefully padded plastic cover that come with the packaging of nipples.
Then I replace the diaper. When the patient voids, the cotton ball becomes saturated with urine. This saves us from using a bag collection device each time we want to test glucose or protein levels.
Kathleen Thompson, RN
Used with permission from 1,001 Nursing Tips & Timesavers, Third Edition, 1997, p. 77 Springhouse Corporation/www.springnetcom.
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Used with permission from 1,001 Nursing Tips & Timesavers, Third Edition, 1997, p. 77 Springhouse Corporation/www.springnetcom.
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ADVERTISEMENTS
from the members
This ad is from Decubqueen (Gerry)..........Accu-RulerAccurate wound measurement designed by nurses, for nurses. Now carrying wound care and first-aid supplies at prices you can afford.Visit us at http://www.accu-ruler.com/.
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This ad is from: GShort @AOL.com (Gwen) These are great little cakes ! http://www.delightfulgreetingcakes.com/worldsgreatest.php
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NEW MEMBERS
No new members this issuePlease send the prospective members' screen names and first names to me: RNFrankie@AOL.com
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NOTICE:
I attempt to send newsletters to your current email addresses on file and if the newsletters are rejected THREE consecutive times, I must then delete the email address until you contact me with an updated email address; I have no way to reach you without a correct email address....You could always send me your Home number.......lol So please send me your new name/address, ok? RNFrankie@AOL.com
OLD ADDRESS: cambron@hiwaay.net
NEW ADDRESS: cambron@nehp.net
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OLD ADDRESS: cambron@hiwaay.net
NEW ADDRESS: cambron@nehp.net
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EDITORIAL STAFF:
GingerMyst @AOL.com (Anne), GALLO RN @AOL.com (Sue), HSears9868 @AOL.com (Bonnie), Laregis @AOL.com (Laura), Mrwrn @AOL.com (Miriam), and Schulthe @AOL.com (Susan)Membership BIO Committee...(if you haven't sent in your BIO....Please send it to the appropriate section below) : Check by your screen name's first letter.........BCK131 @AOL.com (Chris) A thru B section,Dick515 @AOL.com (Eileen) C thru D section,GALLO RN@AOL.com (Sue) E thru I section, RNFrankie @AOL.com (Frankie) J thru K section,Jntcln@AOL.com (Janet) L thru M section,GALLO RN @AOL.com (Sue) N thru Q section Schulthe@AOL.com (Susan) R thru T sectionSandy1956@AOL.com (Sandy) U thru Z section.
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PARADIGM97 CO-FOUNDERS:
MarGerlach @AOL.com (Marlene) and RNFrankie @AOL.com (Frankie)
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DISCLAIMER: The intent of this PARADIGM BYTES Newsletter is to provide communication and information for our members. Please research the hyperlinks and information provided by our members. The articles and web sites are not personally endorsed by the editors, nor do the articles necessarily reflect the staff's views.
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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts; and we are never ever the same. --Flavia Weedn, Forever
Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts; and we are never ever the same. --Flavia Weedn, Forever
Hope to see you online..... Frankie
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