Announcements

Announcements Archive

July 19, 2007

ANA and the AMA Issue a Joint Statement on Criminalizing Medical Decisions
The American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Medical Association (AMA) continue to be very concerned about criminalizing decisions about patient care especially those made during the chaotic aftermath of a disaster, when medical personnel and supplies are severely compromised. During any disaster, health care providers - doctors, nurses and others - must work together to make the best decisions that they can given available resources. Read Press Release...

February 2, 2007

No Evidence Of Homicide In Hospital Deaths in New Orleans
The Orleans Parish Coroner, Frank Minyard said he cannot classify the deaths of four patients as homicides who died at a New Orleans hospital in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The physical evidence does not support a finding of homicide in the case against Dr. Anna Maria Pou and two registered nurses accused of killing four elderly patients at Memorial Medical Center in the days after Hurricane Katrina. Minyard has classified the deaths as "undetermined," which means he can't conclude whether the four critically ill patients died by accident or from natural causes, suicide or homicide. Minyard reached this conclusion after reviewing the evidence and consulting with some of the top forensic experts in the country.

Despite Coroner Minyard's investigation, District Attorney Eddie Jordan will continue with plans to present the case to a grand jury this month. Pou, along with registered nurses Lori Budo and Cheri Landry, were arrested last summer after Attorney General Charles Foti concluded they conspired to deliver lethal injections of sedatives and morphine to four patients shortly before the hospital was evacuated a couple of days after Katrina. The three women have not been charged in the case, which has drawn international attention. Read ANA Statement - 09/27/06

January 11, 2007

The American Nurses Association Announces Support For The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act 2007 (H.R. 3)
The American Nurses Association (ANA) today announces its support for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007 (H.R. 3) which promotes the ethical use of stem cells for research and therapeutic purposes that impact health. ANA endorses the federal funding of stem cell research conducted within strict scientific and ethical guidelines. In addition, ANA will work to advance public policy on stem cell research that considers ethical and health care issues. Read Press Release...

December 19, 2006

Statements on the Bulgarian Nurses Death Sentence
The American Nurses Association (ANA) condemns the latest verdict in the trial of the five Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor in Libya.
ANA Statement | INC/WMA Joint Statement | Past Action

December 18, 2006

Online Genetics Education Opportunity: Non-CE Version
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has posted a free Continuing Education Module for Nurses on Genetics. The module entitled “Genetics is Relevant Now: Nurses' Views and Patients' Stories” was pilot tested with a national nursing audience. Cindy Prows, MSN, RN, a clinical nurse specialist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and the Program Director for the Genetics Education Program for Nurses notes that comments from the pilot testing of the module were extremely positive. Comments by nurses included statements such as “I wish every nurse in the US could go through this module” and Excellent! The stories were great and very informative."

Cindy Prows is an active ANA member and the 2006 recipient of the Michael Scotti award present by the National Center for Health Professions Education in Genetics (NCHPEG). The award is for contributions to genetics education for health professionals. Ms. Prows substantive and enduring leadership in genetics education for nurses and her many contributions to NCHPEG’s programs and activities were recognized.

The Genetics Education Program for Nurses has created another version of, "Genetics is Relevant Now: Nurses' Views and Patient Stories." This version was created with nurse educators in mind. It has all the same content but is constructed so that learners can skip around, view as little or as much as they what they want. This new version allows educators to easily project portions of the offering for their classes. It does not require a user name or password so access is easy. However, please note... This version does not award nursing contact hours. Learners who want nursing contact hours need to use the original version that requires a log on process with username and password. I hope you find this new version helpful. www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ed/clinical/gpnf/resources/curriculum/relevant-genetics.htm

December 08, 2006

Ethical Considerations Top of Mind at Guantanamo Bay
ANA’s President was part of a VIP tour of detainee facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) recently, and the first visitor representing a nursing organization. In considering the trip that laid ahead, Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR, had to confront her own biases and then put them aside, she said. "A key process in my preparation was to identify my own beliefs and thoughts about the detention of individuals in this situation and then to suspend them for the duration of the trip so I could have an open mind, and thus, a better understanding of the experience of nurses who are working at GTMO."

She sought answers throughout the trip, wondering how military nurses handled the highly-charged ethical and emotional issues the assignment includes. "In keeping with the patient's right to self-determination expressed in our Code of Ethics, I wondered whether nurses are able to resolve conflicts of patients' choices—like hunger-strikes--in ways that ensure their safety." Additionally, the Code of Ethics affirms that "Patients have the moral and legal right to determine what will be done with their own person; to accept, refuse, or terminate treatment without deceit, undue influence, duress, coercion or penalty."

ANA’s 2005 House of Delegates passed a resolution confirming its belief that prisoners and detainees have the right to health care and humane treatment.

Patton has written an editorial about her trip for her monthly column in American Nurse Today, which will appear in the February 2007 issue. We will also feature a story in an upcoming issue of The American Nurse.

Code of Ethics | Announcements | Issues Update | Position Statements
About The Center | Resources | Ethics Home

On NursingWorld
Special Offers | Online CE | nursesbooks.org