News > Past News > May 2000
Pain Bill Reported in Senate
5/31/00
On April 27, the
Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amended version of H.R. 2260, the
"Pain Relief Promotion Act," which passed the House on November 27, 1999,
by a vote of 10 to 8.
ANA, along with a number of other organizations of health care providers and consumers, opposes this legislation because it would, for the first time, allow agents of the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate the "intent" of health care providers who prescribe controlled substances for pain and end-of-life care. Although the legislation is intended to overturn the Oregon law permitting assisted suicide, which ANA also opposes, ANA is concerned that the chilling effect of DEA investigations would deal a devastating blow to efforts to address the widely recognized undertreatment of pain. ANA Statement | ANA letter
ANA Contact Stephanie Reed at 202-651-7088 or sreed@ana.org
Reminder: Sample Survey Responses Needed
5/30/00
ANA would like
to remind nurses who received survey questionnaires from the Division of Nursing in March to return their
forms. The information you submit is used to develop the National Sample
Survey--a publication that provides an integrated, in-depth picture of the
RN work force in the United States. A number of federal, state and local
government departments and agencies are depending on this information for
average compensation rates, estimates of the number of nurses in their
region and educational distribution of the work force. ANA
Contact Carol Bickford (202)651-7060 or cbickford@ana.org
Patients’ Bill of Rights Update
5/26/00
On May 17, an
ANA representative attended a White House meeting called to develop
strategies to bring public awareness to the Patients’ Bill of Rights.
Meeting participants included White House Chief of Staff John D. Podesta
and Deputy Assistant to the President for Health Policy Development
Christopher Jennings. Participants discussed strategies for encouraging
individuals to contact their members of Congress and urge swift enactment.
House and Senate conferees on H.R. 2990, the managed care reform
legislation based on the Patients’ Bill of Rights, have moved very slowly
in recent weeks, and time may run out before an acceptable resolution to
differences in the two bills is achieved in this election year. ANA urges
all nurses to contact their senators and representatives to urge enactment
of the House-passed bill, H.R. 2990, the only comprehensive, biparti-san
bill that holds health plans accountable for their actions and offers a
full range of protections to all Americans who hold employment-based
health insurance or who buy their own insurance. ANA contact Stephanie
Reed (sreed@ana.org) | More Info...
Avis Misses with TV Ad
5/25/00
Avis Rental Cars
is running a television commercial depicting a nurse forgetting her
patient's name and medical condition and putting him in the wrong room -
all followed by "Ever get the feeling that some people just stopped
trying?" ANA President Mary Foley responded with the following letter to
Avis' CEO: Letter
E-mail them with your comments: -Website: www.avis.com
June 1 Deadline Extended for Abstract Submissions to ICN
5/25/00
ICN has extended
the deadline for submission of abstracts for the 2001 ICN Congress in
Copenhagen from June 1, 2000 to September 15,
2000.
The Congress is scheduled for June 10 - 15, 2001, Copenhagen, Denmark. The theme for the Congress is Nursing: A New Era for Action.
If you are interested in submitting an abstract, forms are available from ANA by contacting Cheryl Peterson at 202-651-7089/ cpeterso@ana.org or go to the ICN website: http://www.icn.ch/abstract.htm.
Hepatitis C Training Program Available Online
5/24/00
The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted on its Web site an
interactive training program on hepatitis C for health professionals. The
program provides users with up-to-date information on epidemiology,
diagnosis, and management of hepatitis C infection and related chronic
disease. Continuing medical and nursing education credits are available
free from CDC upon completion of the training. The training course is at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis.
Violence and Occupational Health: United Kingdom
5/24/00
More than six
out of ten violent incidents that took place in the National Health
Service (NHS)-United Kingdom over the past year were aimed at nurses.
According to the results of a survey by the Department of Health, about 13
violent incidents were recorded each month per NHS region between August
1998 and July 1999. On average, there were 11 violent incidents per 1,000
nursing staff each month. In spite of the high questionnaire reply rate
(ninty point five percent), the department warned that many incidents were
not reported or were hidden by weak management practices and therefore not
recorded. The survey highlighted that more incidents occur in mental
health/learning disability settings, followed by community health regions,
ambulance, all service and acute systems.
Source: SEW News, International Council of Nurses. (Originally published in Nursing Times).
Candidate Profiles for 2000 Elections
5/23/00
Find out about
the candidates running for 19 ANA elected offices at the Board of
Directors, Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics, and Nominating
Committee.
The ANA House of Delegates and convention will held be in Indianapolis, Indiana from June 23 to 28, 2000. Duly elected and credentialed ANA delegates will elect the ANA leaders onsite on June 27. Read the candidate's profiles...
Council of State Governments Hears ANA's Issues
5/23/00
On April 27-30,
Anna Gilmore-Hall, RN, and Sue Whittaker, RN, from ANA’s State Government
Relations Department attended the Council of State Governments’
(CSG)Spring meeting. Over 500 state legislators and policymakers met to
discuss issues of importance to state governments. At this meeting, ANA
was able to promote needlestick safety legislation and get the issue
incorporated into the upcoming agenda. ANA staff was able to meet and
discuss ANA’s quality indicators and staffing principles with several key
state legislators for incorporation in pending state legislation. As ANA
and the CMAs move toward a nationwide state legislative agenda, we will be
well positioned to use the foundation built at these meetings to assist us
in moving our core issues.
The CSG is an organization that brings together leaders in state government to advocate for multi-state problem-solving and partnerships. ANA’s involvement in this organization allows us to position our issues before multiple state legislatures, while helping to shape the organization’s agenda.
ANA Strongly Opposes the Quality Health Care Act - H.R. 1304
5/22/00
The U. S. House
of Representatives is expected to vote soon on H.R. 1304, the Quality
Health-Care Coalition Act of 1999, which would create a broad antitrust
exemption to permit doctors and other health care professionals to bargain
collectively with health plans. The bill undermines efforts to control
health care costs for consumers and to provide consumers with a wide range
of choices among health care plans. The proposed legislation would create
an unfair playing field for non-physician providers, like advanced
practice nurses, by giving an unprecedented exempt to physicians from
antitrust law.
Several nursing organizations, including ANA, sent the following letter to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives to express our strong opposition to HR 1304. ANA urges all nurses to contact their representatives in Congress to reinforce that message. Letter | Fact Sheet
ANA Convention Brings Hot Topics in Health Care to the Forefront
Medical errors,
staffing, managed care and pain management are among the hot topics
featured in convention's educational sessions
5/22/00
The American
Nurses Association (ANA) will address many of today's major topics in
health care at its 2000 Biennial Convention in Indianapolis, IN, June
23-28, at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The convention offers
unmatched opportunities to meet with nurse leaders from across the country
and to hear the profession's ideas and concerns on issues that affect
nurses and those for whom they care. Press
Release
Nyack Nurses Win Safe Staffing Measures
5/22/00
The 400 nurses
at Nyack Hospital overwhelmingly approved a five-year contract May 19 that
contains provisions to ensure safe staffing and improve working
conditions.
The nurses, who are represented by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), are to return to work May 30, after a 151-day strike.
"I'm very proud of this union," said registered nurse Lynn Byrnes, who was quoted in The New York Times. "It makes me proud to be a part of this profession."
Under the new contract, a labor-management committee will be created to develop staffing guidelines, which must be in place within nine months, for each of the hospital's units. If the hospital then fails to follow the guidelines, NYSNA will have the right to take the matter to arbitration.
The contract includes a financial provision to discourage the hospital from forcing nurses to work overtime. Full-time nurses would have the right to refuse mandatory overtime four times each year. Visit the NYSNA webpage for more details.
St. Vincent RNs Ratify Three-year Contract with Tenet
5/22/00
The historic
49-day strike by 615 registered nurses at St. Vincent Hospital/Worcester
Medical Center officially ended late last week with a vote of 358 - 5 by
the rank and file membership in favor of their first union contract with
Tenet Health Care.
The pact, which will run from Jan. 1, 2000 - Jan. 1, 2003, includes strict limits on mandatory overtime, provides nurses with a voice in decisions around staffing and nursing practice issues, calls for the phase out of a controversial flex time policy, and provides the nurses with a protected voice and binding arbitration regarding issues related to their move into the new Worcester Medical Center facility.
ANA President Mary Foley and UAN Chair Cheryl Johnson sent the following message to the nurses: "Congratulations! You are true heroes in the fight to preserve safe patient care! Your victory is a victory for nurses and their patients everywhere. Excessive mandatory overtime is simply unsafe and unacceptable. We applaud your courage and professionalism for striking over such an important issue and making this dangerous practice visible to the public and policymakers. Your strength and unity have won a fair contract that allows you to practice safely and care for patients. Your success is a testament to the power of collective bargaining!"
For more details of the contract, refer to the MNA website.
Landmine Treaty-Training and Advocacy Day
5/22/00
On March 1, the
Mine Ban Treaty marked its one-year anniversary of entry into force. To
date, 137 countries have signed the treaty, and it has been ratified by 94
countries. The Clinton Administration’s current position is that the U.S.
will sign the treaty by 2006 if alternatives to the weapon have been found
and fielded. On July 8-11, the Physicians for Human Rights is hosting a
Landmines Training and Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. For additional
information, contact the Physicians for Human Rights at banmines@phrusa.org, or
call Holly Burkhalter at 202-728-5335.
Ohio Nurses Association Appoints New Executive Director
5/18/00
On April 10,
Gingy Harshey-Meade, MSN, RN, CNAA, began work as the executive director
of the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA). Harshey-Meade comes to ONA from
Elkhart, KS where she was the assistant health system administrator for
patient care services. Prior to moving to Kansas, she was employed in a
leadership role at the New Jersey Veterans Affairs Health Care System. She
has been extremely active in her constituent member associations, having
served New Jersey as treasurer, and as an ANA delegate. She brings to Ohio
a unique combination of leadership and management skills that will further
ONA’s goals and growth in the new millennium.
Patients’ Bill of Rights Update
5/24/00
On May 3, ANA
First Vice President, Barbara Blakeney, MS, RN, CS, ANP, and a small group
of other leaders of provider and advocacy organizations met at the White
House to discuss legislative strategies regarding the Patients’Bill of
Rights.
Participants at the meeting expressed concern that negotiations between House and Senate conferees on H.R. 2990, the managed care reform legislation based on the Patients’ Bill of Rights, have moved very slowly in recent weeks, and that time may run out before an acceptable resolution to differences in the two bills is achieved in this election year. Meeting participants included White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, Department of Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and Health Policy Advisor to the President Chris Jennings, among others.
ANA urges all nurses to contact their senators and representatives to urge enactment of the House-passed bill, H.R. 2990, the only comprehensive, bipartisan bill that holds health plans accountable for their actions and offers a full range of protections to all Americans who hold employment-based health insurance or who buy their own insurance. The final version of the legislation must also protect nurses from retaliation when they advocate for their patients.
NYSNA Wins National Award for Work on Latex Allergy
5/16/00
NYSNA has won a
national award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
for its efforts to prevent and control the incidence of latex allergy.
ASAE honored NYSNA with this award for its ongoing educational outreach efforts, including its presentation of continuing education modules in its monthly newsletter; a series of workshops statewide on the prevention and control of latex allergy; and the production of a booklet and video on the subject. In addition, nurses can earn continuing education units for an online course on the subject, available through the NYSNA website at www.nysna.org. “The health and safety of nurses is a top priority of NYSNA,” said Barbara Garrett, director of NYSNA’s nursing education program. “We’re glad to be recognized with this national award for the work we’re constantly doing on this vital issue.”
"Preventing Needlestick Injuries: The Time Is Now! Safe Needles Save Lives."
5/15/00
"Needlestick
Injuries: The Time Is Now!" was broadcasted live via satellite, Internet
and videoconferencing on May 12, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. EST.
Do you have a question you
would have asked? Or you may have an additional question you'd like to
ask. Please send your questions via e-mail to bsmallwo@ana.org. You have
until May 26.
Click here for more information on the
teleconference...,
... here for ANA Press Release.
Victory for Mass. RNs
5/12/00
In a historic
ending to a 42-day strike, registered nurses represented by the
Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) at St. Vincent Hospital/Worcester
Medical Center in Worcester reached a tentative agreement of their first
contract with Tenet Health Care. The pact, which still needs to be
presented to the rank and file membership for a ratification vote,
includes key provisions the nurses had sought throughout the strike.
Specifically, the contract places strict limits on the amount of mandatory
overtime, calls for the phase out of a controversial flex time policy, and
provides the nurses with a protected voice and binding arbitration
regarding issues related to their move into the new Worcester Medical
Center facility. ANA President Mary Foley, MS, RN, applauded the news
calling it a "victory for nurses and their patients across the country."
The agreement was reached on May 11 in talks hosted by Sen. Edward Kennedy and Congressman James McGovern in the offices of Sen. Kennedy in Washington D.C. The talks progressed quickly once Tenet agreed to back off its demand for the right to mandate up to eight hours of overtime, a practice the nurses opposed because of its negative impact on patient care.
For more information, visit MNA's website at www.massnurses.org/
ANA Calls Pact a Win For Nurses And Patients - Tentative Agreement Reached in Mass. Strike
5/12/00
The American
Nurses Association (ANA) applauded yesterday's tentative agreement between
the nurses at St. Vincent's hospital in Worcester, Mass, who have been on
strike since March 31, and management. The nurses, who are represented by
the Massachusetts Nurses Association, went out on strike in response to
the facility's demand for mandatory overtime -- that nurses work up to 16
hours straight.
Read the Press Release | Previous News.
Latex Brochure Available
5/11/00
ANA’s Latex
Allergy brochure has been reprinted. This brochure, part of ANA’s
Workplace Information Series, educates nurses on risks and reduction
strategies and gives tips on what nurses can do in their own workplace.
The brochure may be ordered in bulk quantities by calling
800/274-4ANA(4262) x7208, or by e-mailing: jpinkney@ana.org and
requesting item # WP-7.
ANA will be releasing a guide for selecting medical gloves including latex-free and other alternatives later this year.
Another New FREE Online CE Module - Nursing Nomenclature and Classification Systems with International Perspectives
5/10/00
This module
contains two scholarly articles:
- Nursing Nomenclature and Classification System Development, by Marjory Gordon, PhD, RN, FAAN
- The International Classification for Nursing Practice Project, by June Clarke, DBE, PhD, RN, RHV, FRCN.
This module, (as well as the rest of the modules), are free for Nurses Week. Read it Now...
Nurses Share Personal Stories of Back Injuries
5/10/00
ANA President
Mary Foley, MS, RN and two nurse members who have suffered disabling,
work-related back injuries -- Beth Piknick, RN, from Boston, Mass., and
Becky Rice, RN, from Washington, D. C. testified in support of OSHA's
proposed ergonomics standard at a hearing in Washington D.C. on May 8. Read their
testimony.
ANA Recognizes Nurses During National Nurses Week (May 6-12)
5/8/00
ANA President,
Mary Foley, MS, RN shares a special message
with nurses nationwide.
President Clinton's letter and Vice President Gore's Statement commemorating NNW.
All online CE modules will be free during National Nurses Week. The modules feature personalized, ANCC* accredited online certificates instantly upon completion.
On May 10, representatives of ANA, FedNA and ANCC will lay wreaths at the nurses’ memorials at the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial and at Arlington Cemetery.
On May 12 ANA will hold a teleconference on preventing needlesticks from 1:30 - 3:30 pm EST. More than 180 sites are available to participants.
New OJIN Ethics Column
5/8/00
In the new Online
Journal Of Issues In Nursing (OJIN) ethics
column, Dr. Ludwick and Dr. Silva address the important issues of
ethics in epublishing regarding: quality, security, and access. Specific
information is given regarding steps individuals and editors can take to
assure ethical practice in this new media. Emphasis is placed on readers'
responsibilities in considering ethical questions as they reflect on the
materials read and used in their professional work. Look to this
informative column to help you in determining ethical responsibility in
the world of technology.
Preventing Errors Using Medical Products - A Live, Interactive Satellite Teleconference: Wednesday, June 21, 2000 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT
5/5/00
This satellite
video teleconference, co-sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and
The American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, will help healthcare
professionals identify, understand, prevent and resolve errors related to
the use of medical products.
Using a case study format, a panel of risk managers will describe and analyze actual incidents of medical error and share with the audience what was learned about preventing and managing errors. Medical error experts will explain and synthesize the cases. The errors will involve drug, medical device and blood products. Viewers will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions during the program.
For additional information on teleconference panelists, schedule, case studies, and viewing locations visit the Center for Devices and Radiological Health website.
MNA To Picket During National Nurses Week (NNW)
5/4/00 Their Fight is Our Fight – Help Send the Message:
For more information contact: David
Schildmeier, MNA Director of Public Communications
The Massachusetts
Nurses Association (MNA) has designated May 7 as a day for all nurses to
join our colleagues at St. Vincent Hospital/Worcester Medical Center, who
are still on strike against Tenet Health Care.
“Exhausted Nurses = Unsafe Care.”
New ANA Study Provides More Proof of Link Between RN Staffing and Quality Patient Care
5/4/00
The American
Nurses Association (ANA) released the results of a study documenting that
hospitalized patients have better outcomes in hospitals with higher
staffing levels and higher ratios of RNs in the staffing mix. Read
the Executive Summary | Press Release | Op-Ed: Ration Nursing Care – And
Patients Pay
New Additions to the ANA Bookstore: www.NursesBooks.org
5/03/00
Gerontological
Nursing
Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
Nursing Administration
Essentials of Pain Management More...
Nurses Week - GWU Hospital Offers 5 Educational Offerings, Reception, and Awards
5/3/00
"Our hospital's plans for Nurses Week include: Five educational
offerings with CEUs and lunch, a breakfast for the RN night staff, and a
reception are scheduled for the RN staff from May 8th through May 12th.
Two of the highlights of the week will be the annual Sheila M. McCarthy
Award for Excellence In Nursing, and a presentation by three of the
hospital's RN members of a Surgery Team that went to Egypt last November
to perform several open heart surgeries. The Surgery Team was invited by
special invitation from the Egyptian Minister of Defense.
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to share with other RNs some of the ways that The George Washington University Hospital demonstrates their appreciation to and recognition of the RN staff."
The Nurses' Week Celebration Committee at The George Washington University
Nurses Week - Honoring Pioneer Nurses in Virginia
5/2/00
"Virginia Nurses is hosting the second in our Centennial
Celebrations on May 3 with a gala honoring Pioneer Nurses in Virginia.
Those trailblazing nurses, members and nonmembers, were sought via a
nominations process; names were selected by a nonpartisan committee and
next week we honor 51 Pioneers for nursing in the state. Among those
selected are Virginia Henderson, Elizabeth Carnegie, Elnora Daniel and
numerous "founding mothers"."
Jan Johnson, MSN, RN, Executive Director, Virginia Nurses Association
Nurses Week - Olympus Specialty Hospital - Ventilator Unit, Waltham, Ma
5/1/00
"We're taking photos of all the nurses and posting them with a
caption on who they are and what they like to do. We're also having a
raffle with the grand prize being a nursing tote bag filled with goodies.
In addition, we're having a masseuse come in and we'll also be having
bagel and ice cream sundae days!"
Moira Winston, RN Clinical Leader
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