World No Tobacco Day
5/31/05
May 31, 2005 is World No Tobacco Day. The Tobacco Free Initiative proposes that World No Tobacco Day 2005 focus on the role of health professionals on tobacco control. Health Professionals are in an excellent position that allows them to have a prominent role on tobacco control.
For more information, visit these links:
World No Tobacco Day 2005
www.who.int/tobacco/communications/events/wntd/2005/en
Navy Environmental Health Center's Web site
www-nehc.med.navy.mil/hp/tobacco
Tobacco Free Nurses
www.tobaccofreenurses.org/resources/links
Rise in Emergency Department Visits Driven By Increase in Elderly Patient Visits
5/31/05
More than 113 million visits were made to emergency departments in 2003, the highest number ever, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report attributes the rise in emergency departments (ED) visits to increased use by adults, especially those 65 years old and over. Among people aged 65-74, the ED visit rate was more than five times higher for those residing in a nursing home or other institution compared with those not living in an institutionalized setting.
Read complete press release at www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050526.htm.
National Patient Safety Foundation Request for Proposals
5/27/05
The National Patient Safety Foundation's (NPSF) Research Grants Program seeks to stimulate new, innovative projects directed towards enhancing patient safety in the United States. The Program's objective is to promote studies leading to the prevention of human errors, system errors, patient injuries and the consequences of such adverse events in the health care setting.
NPSF call for Letters of Intent (LOI) to conduct research and development in patient safety are due by July 1, 2005.
For more information, please review the full requirements for LOI on our at www.npsf.org/html/research/rfp.html.
Grab the Gold Ring -- For Registered Nurses and Nursing Graduates
5/26/05
The American Nurses Foundation (ANF) is celebrating our 50th Anniversary with Black Band Jewelry Designs by partnering to raise funds for ANF's programs of research and education that promote the public health and advance the nursing profession through sales of the Black Band Professional Nurses ring in the United States. More...
JCI Center for Patient Safety Launches Web site
5/25/05
The Joint Commission International (JCI) Center for Patient Safety announced the launch of its new Web site. This site has been designed and is being implemented to serve as a major, central repository of resources and information related to all aspects of patient safety. Its content will be relevant for patients, employers, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists-as well as all types of health care organizations worldwide. The site will ultimately provide a wide array of practical safety solutions that can be used to improve the safety and quality of patient care in a variety of health care environments. Vist the Web site at www.jcipatientsafety.org.
Focus of the 15th Annual National Depression Screening Day is More Than Just Depression
5/24/05
"Fifteen years later, it's not just about depression. It's not just a day. It's not just desirable. It's necessary," is the new campaign slogan for National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) 2005. This new campaign reflects the program's mission to address a variety of mental health issues including depression, bipolar disorder, general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and for the first time this year, postpartum depression.
NDSD is co-sponsored by American Nurses Association and members are encouraged to register for this year's event held nationwide on October 6. By participating in the program, nurses can provide either their patients or members of the public free and anonymous mood and anxiety disorders screening in an effort to get help for the 54 million Americans affected by mental health disorders.
Nurses working in hospitals and clinics can register for the community kit. Nurses working in a primary care setting can register for a free, downloadable primary care kit. To register for the NDSD, visit www.mentalhealthscreening.org or call (781) 239-0071.
Majority of Senate Sends Letter Supporting Funding for Nursing Education
5/23/05
Fifty-one senators, representing a bi-partisan majority of the Senate, have signed on to a "Dear Colleague" letter that asks for a $24 million increase for Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, including programs created under the Nurse Reinvestment Act. If appropriated, this would bring to $175 million the total level of funding for nursing education programs in fiscal year 2006. The letter was sent to Sen Arlen Specter, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Committee, and to Sen. Tom Harkin, ranking member on the committee. Read the letter...
HHS Announces $1.3 Billion in Funding to States for Bioterrorism Preparedness
5/20/05
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has made available another $1.3 billion to the states, territories and four metropolitan areas to help strengthen their capacity to respond to terrorism and other public health emergencies.
The funds will be used to upgrade infectious disease surveillance and investigation, enhance the readiness of hospitals and the health care system to deal with large numbers of casualties, expand public health laboratory and communications capacities and improve connectivity between hospitals, and city, local and state health departments to enhance disease reporting. These emergency preparedness and response efforts are intended to support the National Response Plan and the interim National Preparedness Goal.
Read more at www.hhs.gov/news/press/2005pres/20050513.html.
Center for American Nurses Audio Conference Seminar on Workplace Advocacy Airs Nationwide on May 26
5/19/05
The first seminar of the three part series "Workplace Advocacy, Strategies, and Tools" will air on conference room speaker phones at healthcare facilities nationwide on May 26. There is still time to register for the full series and save 20%. Participating healthcare facilities pay only ONE low fee for registration and site connection for an UNLIMITED number of staff.
Nurse leaders from hospitals nationwide are already registering various sites within their facility so that groups can take these courses together. All that is required is a meeting room, a speakerphone and LCD projector (optional).
Go to www.centerforamericannurses.org/can/tools/audioconference.htm or call 1-800-685-4076. Email questions to pbrown@centerforamericannurses.org.
U.S. Views of the Flu Vaccine Shortage
5/18/05
Polling taken during the 2004 influenza vaccine shortage found a high level of public concern but no consensus on who should be responsible for solving the problem according to a report in Health Affairs. A substantial minority questioned whether the vaccine should be reserved for high-risk groups, while a majority thought that care providers should be responsible for allocating it.
Two-thirds believe their community experienced a shortage of flu vaccine last fall, and six in 10 of those were concerned about it, the survey found. While 39% of Americans blamed vaccine makers and drug companies for the shortage and 29% blamed federal public health agencies, most Americans said they believe primary responsibility for ensuring an adequate supply of flu vaccine rests with the federal government. To read more, go to www.healthaffairs.org.
Free Webcast: Cognitively Impaired Older Adults
5/17/05
Are you aware of the effect that dementia and delirium have on the course of illness and the cognitively impaired adult's ability to understand and carry out discharge instructions? Here are some of the risk factors associated with cognitive impairment: prolonged hospital stays; increased complication rates; delayed rehabilitation; increased mortality; increased readmission; and poor outcomes
Want to learn about tools to screen for cognitive impairment, and about evidence-based strategies for early intervention and prevention of these problems in cognitively impaired older adults hospitalized for acute illness or surgery? Dr. Mary Naylor, and members of her research team from the University of Pennsylvania, explains how healthcare providers can better screen for cognitive impairment, manage the acute care environment, and ease transition to home or other care setting.
Go to link www.nursingcenter.com/AJNolderadults to access the 60-minute webcast anytime beginning Tuesday, 24 May 2005.
New CE Module Targets Adolescent Sexuality
5/16/05
The American Nurses Foundation in partnership with Partners in Program Planning for Adolescent Health (PIPPAH) is working to improve the health status of adolescents. The purpose of this module is to optimize nursing-youth interaction by exploring the role of nursing in achieving adolescent health objectives related to sexual behavior.
Go to the CE catalog...
Resolution Supporting National Nurses Week Introduced in House
5/13/05
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has introduced House Resolution 254, supporting the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week. The resolution was co-sponsored by 54 members of the United States House of Representatives. In addition, Rep. Johnson has written an op-ed praising nurses.
Read the op-ed
Read the resolution
ANA Speaks Out Against Association Health Plans
5/13/05
Joining with a broad coalition of other leading health-care-related and consumer organizations at a news conference on May 12, ANA spoke out against proposed legislation in Congress that would exempt federal association health plans (AHPs) from state laws and oversight.
"ANA supports efforts to expand access to high-quality and affordable health insurance coverage to all Americans," said ANA Government Affairs Director Rose Gonzalez. "However, we believe that federal AHP legislation would undermine important protections provided by state laws while doing little to alleviate the problem of uninsured workers."
Gonzalez noted that ANA is particularly concerned that AHPs would be exempt from state laws which guarantee access to advanced practice registered nurses.
In addition, she pointed out that state-law-guaranteed minimum levels of coverage for maternity care, mental health services, home health care and other types of care would be undermined by the legislation being considered and that AHP legislation could drive up the cost of health care by removing coverage for cost-effective benefits such as well-child care and cancer screenings.
ANA and other coalition participants are asking their members to contact their senators and encourage them to oppose this legislation. For details, see www.protectyourhealthcare.org. Also, persons who have had negative experiences with a federal Association Health Plan, a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement or other small business health plan are encouraged to tell their stories at mystory@protectyourhealthcare.org.
Calling All Registered Nurses Across the United States
5/12/05
In celebration of our 50th Anniversary and National Nurses Week 2005, the American Nurses Foundation (ANF) and Black Band Jewellry Designs are pleased to announce a partnership to raise funds for ANF’s programs of research and education that promote the public health and advance the nursing profession through sales of the Black Band Professional Nurses ring in the United States. More...
Nurses Week Book Sale Extended to May 13
5/12/05
Haven’t had a chance to place your book order? ANA bookstore has extended this sale through Friday, May 13. This special offer applies to ANA titles only. Not valid with other discounts. Orders must be placed by midnight May 13. Go to Bookstore...
New HHS Guide Helps Nurses Encourage Patients to Quit Smoking
5/11/05
In recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today is releasing a new tool that will give nurses evidence-based information that they can use to help their patients quit smoking. The free pocket guide, Helping Smokers Quit: A Guide for Nurses, gives nurses easy access to information based on the "5 As" approach to cessation intervention: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange. It also includes a current listing of smoking cessation medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The pocket guide was developed by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in collaboration with Tobacco Free Nurses, a national initiative funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to increase nurses' participation in tobacco control. Partners in the Tobacco Free Nurses Initiative include the American Nurses Association, the American Nurses Foundation, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, and the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at UCLA.
The guide is available on the AHRQ Web site at www.ahrq.gov/about/nursing/hlpsmksqt.htm.
Michigan Center for Nursing Releases Data on Nursing Education Programs
5/11/05
The Michigan Center for Nursing has released results from the Survey of Nursing Education Programs: 2002-2003 School Year. Results show a decrease in the number of graduates from Michigan nursing education programs.
The report includes the most recent data available on the types of programs offered, their enrollment capacity, number of graduates, demographic information on students and faculty, and current issues affecting program capacity.
Key findings from the survey show that:
- The total number of graduates from undergraduate nursing programs in Michigan decreased from 4,260 in 1997-1998 to 3,951 in 2002-2003, driven by a decrease in the number of graduates with a bachelor of science in nursing.
- An estimated 2,097 qualified applicants were not enrolled in Michigan nursing education programs in 2002-2003.
- More than one-third of full-time faculty in Michigan nursing education programs are 55 years of age or older.
- Five percent of full-time faculty positions and 2 percent of adjunct faculty positions in nursing education programs are vacant.
The full report is available online at www.michigancenterfornursing.org/mimages/edprograms.pdf
Policy Changes Needed to Ensure Dual Eligibles' Access to Drugs, Study Finds
5/10/05
"Dual eligibles" is the term for the 6.4 million low-income, elderly, and disabled Americans who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid. In a new Commonwealth Fund issue brief, "Impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit on Home-and Community-Based Services Waiver Programs", Charles J. Milligan, Jr., J.D., M.P.H., warns that the complex medication regimens and often unique needs of frail elders and disabled adults in waiver programs pose multiple challenges to a smooth transition. Milligan says administrative holdups, overburdened case managers, and shortcomings in Medicare drug plans' formularies could impede access to medications needed to keep dual eligibles out of hospitals and nursing homes. The study focuses on the new Medicare drug benefit's likely impact on waiver participants in Maryland, where the challenges are likely to be typical of those all states will face.
Read report at www.cmwf.org/usr_doc/812_Milligan
_impact_Medicare_Rx_benefit_HCBS.pdf.
Health Care Employees Encouraged to Complete Workforce Survey
5/09/05
Aon Consulting's Loyalty Institute, in conjunction with the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) is conducting a national study of the workplace and the employer-employee relationship in the health care sector.
Individuals who work in hospitals and health care (CEOs, caregivers and support staff) are invited to complete the Healthcare @Work online survey at www.hcatwork.com through May 20.
Results of the survey will be presented at the ASHHRA conference in July, and used to help health care organizations and their human resource professionals effectively address their workforce challenges.
Task Force Develops Recommendations on Patient Handling
5/06/05
The American Physical Therapy Association, with the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and the Veterans Health Administration, has developed a White Paper on strategies to improve patient and health care provider safety during patient handling and movement.
Read White Paper at www.apta.org.
National Nurses Week 2005 Celebrates Nurses' Many Roles, Professional Unity
5/05/05
If you have ever relied on a registered nurse (RN) for recuperative, emergency or follow-up care, or gone to an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) for primary or other health care services, then you may be familiar with the theme of this year's National Nurses Week (May 6-12). More...
Celebrating NNW: A Message from ANA President Barbara Blakeney
5/05/05
Greetings! As we celebrate National Nurses Week 2005 (NNW), May 6-12, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and its constituent member associations (CMAs) are saluting nurses across the country with the theme Nurses: Many Roles, One Profession. This inspirational theme reflects the wide breadth of nursing practice and the ever-expanding roles of nurses. More...
ANF Celebrates Nurses and Mothers
5/05/05
ANF reminds everyone to shop for a special nurse and/or Mom in your life by registering with www.BuyForCharity.com - FREE!
Designate ANF, then shop, and the shops will donate proceeds to ANF. Sign up today -- and shop -- Proflowers.com, 1-800-flowers.com, 1StopFlowers.com, Bath-and-Body.com, Avon.com, Florist.com, FTD.com, GiftBaskets.com, and much more.
Visit ANF website at www.ANFonline.org to make a special gift In Honor or In Memory of a loved one.
Buy ANF 50th Anniversary and Nurses Rock the Foundation items! Proceeds from your purchase will support ANF.
www.cafepress.com/ANFis50
www.cafepress.com/ANFrocks
Nurses Week Special:
Free Shipping on All ANA Titles Beginning May 6th
20% Off List Price on Select Titles
5/04/05
Whether you're ordering for classroom instruction or for professional development, May 6-12 is the perfect time to place your order. You'll save loads on shipping charges and get 20% off the list price on select titles. This special offer applies to ANA titles only. Not valid with other discounts. Orders must be placed during May 6-12.
Save 20% on these selected titles:
Order online at
www.nursesbooks.org
or call 1-800-637-0323.
Cover the Uninsured Week, May 1-8
5/04/05
The American Nurses Association is a national partner in the Cover the Uninsured Campaign. During Cover the Uninsured Week, the campaign will release research findings documenting the extent of the problem of the uninsured and hold events to increase awareness of the need to take action to solve this growing problem.
For more information, go to www.CoverTheUninsuredWeek.org.
Proud Parent Celebrating Future Nurse
5/03/05
My daughter was just accepted for the nursing program at Ornage County Community College. We are so proud of her -- we are celebrating our future nurse.
Maryanne Konkowski
Proud mother of Bonny Morris
Airmont, New York
Read more on How Nurses Are Celebrating National Nurses Week...
Great Savings at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel
5/03/05
In appreciation for all that you do, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel would like to offer you a very special room rate for your next vacation. Rates for nurses start at just $149.00* per room, per night. More...
NCA Web site Offers Extensive Resources on Nursing Care of Older Adults
5/02/05
In recognition of Older Americans Month, May 2005, the Nurse Competence in Aging (NCA) Initiative’s partners invite you to visit its Web site for extensive information and resources on nursing care of older adults. The site provides information on geriatric syndromes, their possible causes, and treatments that nurses can use to immediately benefit patients. Users may search the site by patient clinical signs and symptoms, specific geriatric topics, or specialty nursing practice areas. NCA’s mission is to enhance the geriatric competence – the knowledge, skills and attitudes – of the 400,000 nurses who are members of 60 specialty nursing organizations. Go to Web site...
New Project to Spotlight Nurse Environmental Heroes
5/02/05
National Nurses Week 2005 (May 6-12) marks the launch of the Luminary Project, the first-ever Web-based tool to promote the work of nurses who are advocating for safe hospitals, clean communities, and children born without toxic chemicals in their bodies. The project - jointly sponsored by Health Care Without Harm, the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the American Nurses Association, with support from the Beldon Fund - kicks off May 6 with the launch of an interactive Web site highlighting nurses across the country who are working to improve our health and the environment. More...
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