News > Past News > June 2000
OSHA, Joint Commission extend efforts to promote health and safety for health care workers
6/21/00
Safer jobs for
health care workers is the goal of a new, extended partnership agreement
between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
OSHA and the Joint Commission have been working together since 1996 to help hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities understand how to meet the requirements of both organizations to provide a safe and healthful environment for health care workers. The two organizations have developed training materials and publications for health care facilities and provided specific examples in Joint Commission accreditation manuals to illustrate how compliance with OSHA standards also satisfies Joint Commission standards. The partnership helps organizations minimize duplication and focus resources on improving safety and health for workers who face a higher than average risk of occupational illness or injury.
The new agreement emphasizes recognizing excellence in worker safety and health among health care institutions and encouraging participation in OSHA's premier partnership, the Voluntary Protection Programs. OSHA and the Joint Commission also will continue developing and delivering joint educational programs. To read more, go to http://www.osha.gov/media/oshnews/june00/trade-20000609.html.
Ergonomic Standard in Jeopardy
6/20/00
On June 8, the
House of Representatives voted 203-220 not to delete a provision in the
House Labor Health and Human Services (LHHS) FY 2001 appropriations bill
that prohibits OSHA from releasing its ergonomic standards. The proposed
ergonomic standards would require 1.6 million employers to implement
repetitive-stress injury prevention and response programs for their
workers. The proposed amendment, offered by Rep. James Traficant, Jr.
(D-OH), would have deleted language approved by the House LHHS
appropriations committee that prohibits OSHA from issuing its ergonomic
standards before the end of the year.
Prior to this vote, ANA delivered a letter to members of the House of Representatives urging them to delete the ergonomics provision from the LHHS appropriations bill. Although the amendment was maintained in the bill by the House vote, it will still face a difficult time getting through the Senate. President Clinton has already stated he will veto the LHHS appropriations bill if it contains this ergonomics amendment. ANA will continue oppose the language in the LHHS bill. ANA Contact Rose Gonzales rgonzale@ana.org or Karen Worthington kworthin@ana.org
Linda Stierle Named Executive Director And Chief Executive Officer of American Nurses Association
6/19/00
|
Linda J. Stierle, MSN, RN, CNAA, a nurse leader with more than 30 years' diverse management experience in health care operations, has been named executive director and chief executive officer of the American Nurses Association (ANA), announced ANA President Mary E. Foley, MS, RN. ANA is the oldest and largest professional organization for registered nurses (RNs), a federation of 54 constituent nurses associations representing the interests of the nation's 2.6 million RNs. |
Fighting to Save Nurses Lives – ANA Urges Congress to Pass Needlestick Prevention Legislation
6/19/00
The technology
exists to protect registered nurses and other health care workers from
deadly needlestick injuries, yet less than 15 percent of U.S. hospitals
use safe needle devices--putting health care workers at risk for
contracting life-threatening infections such as HIV and hepatitis C. To
eliminate this unnecessary threat to health care workers, ANA will urge
congress to pass needlestick and sharps injury prevention legislation.
Read ANA Press Release...
Tipper Gore to Address ANA Convention
6/19/00
Tipper Gore,
wife of Vice President Al Gore, will participate in the American Nurses
Association (ANA) Convention on Sunday, June 25, in Indianapolis, IN. Go
to ANA Media Advisory...
Washington State Nurses Ratify SWMC's First Contract
6/16/00
Registered
nurses at Southwest Washington Medical Center (SWMC) in Vancouver, Wash.,
have overwhelmingly approved their first contract with the hospital. SWMC
registered nurses voted to join Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA)
in August 1998.
The SWMC negotiating team has been working since December 1998 to secure a contract that will provide RNs with consistent and improved working conditions as well as a process that will allow RN input into decisions which impact quality patient care.
Key components of the contract include overtime pay for work beyond their daily scheduled hours, and the formation of a committee with staff RNs and hospital administrators to discuss issues surrounding patient care and staffing ratios. Effective immediately upon ratification, all nurses will receive a 3% wage increase. A press announcement is on the Washington State Labor Council website http://www.wslc.org/reports/06-09-00.htm#Tuesday
Avis CEO Responds to ANA
6/16/00
In a letter
dated June 1, Avis Rental Car responded to ANA's appeal for the
corporation to discontinue an ad that negatively portrays nurses. In the
letter, Avis CEO A. Barry Rand states that, "The commercials take a
humorous approach and depict a variety of slightly exaggerated situations
where individuals provide poor service, versus the individual attention
that Avis strives to provide its customers." He stated, "The specific
commercial that you refer to in your letter was designed to depict a
receptionist and not a nurse." He also stated that, "I can assure you that
everyone here at Avis shares my admiration for the dedication of all
nurses who work selflessly in extremely stressful environments delivering
quality patient care."
Although Rand did not agree to discontinue the ad, he extended his apologies and stated that, "Avis is listening to ANA's comments and will take them into consideration as future executions of the campaign are developed."
ANA encourages nurses nationwide to continue sending comments by visiting Avis' website at www.avis.com.
UAN to Hold First National Labor Assembly
6/16/00
The United
American Nurses (UAN) is hosting its first and founding National Labor
Assembly (NLA) in Indianapolis, IN, on June 21-22. The labor assembly is
open to everyone and 92 delegates representing 27 states are expected to
attend. The NLA will set the priorities for the UAN and provide a
framework for the strong labor voice of ANA. The first election of the UAN
Executive Council will be held on Thursday, June 22. On Friday, June 23,
delegates will be provided leadership development training so they can
assist their states and local bargaining units in further developing and
strengthening the UAN, the union for nurses by nurses. Contact Michelle
Nawar at mnawar@ana.org.
Study in JAMA Predicts Aging of Registered Nurse Workforce May Lead to Nursing Shortage
6/14/00
In response to
the findings of a study published in the June 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA), the American Nurses Association (ANA) commented that the
study confirms what ANA and its Constituent Member Associations (CMAs)
have already been reporting -- that the rapid aging of both the nursing
workforce and the general population is contributing to an emerging
shortage of professional registered nurses (RNs), and that such factors as
poor working conditions and enhanced career opportunities for women in
other professions have led to a decreasing supply of nurses. ANA Press Release
Summer 2000 Sale at the Online Bookstore - Selected Titles Reduced 50%
6/13/00
Catch up on your
reading this summer. Some of the titles are:
- Clinician's Handbook of Preventive Services
- Women's Primary Health Care: Protocols for Practice
- Next Generation Nursing Information Systems
- What You Need to Know About Today's Workplace: A Survival Guide for Nurses
- Guidelines on Reporting Incompetent, Unethical, or Illegal Practices
- Case Management by Nurses
ANA Encouraged by Senate Vote on Patients' Rights
6/13/00
The American
Nurses Association reacted positively to a close U. S. Senate vote on
patient protections on Thursday, June 8.
ANA has strongly supported the House-passed Norwood-Dingell bill, which the Senate tabled by a vote of 51-48, as bipartisan consensus legislation that would provide strong, enforceable patient protections for all insured Americans. Four Republicans - Sens. Lincoln Chafee (RI), Peter Fitzgerald (IL), John McCain (AZ), and Arlen Specter (PA) - broke party ranks to support real patients rights. ANA urges nurses to express their appreciation to those four Senators and to keep pressure on other Republicans to join them.
ANA President Mary Foley, MS, RN, vowed to continue to work for passage of this commonsense proposal. "This vote, with a stronger bipartisan Senate vote than ever before and with only one more vote needed, will demonstrate to health care providers and patients that this crucial reform is achievable," said Foley. "We will stay the course and we will continue to urge Senators to follow the lead of their House colleagues in the effort to make genuine patient protections a reality this year." ANA contact Stephanie Reed (sreed@ana.org) | More Info...
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
6/13/00
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. More...
Candidate Profiles for 2000 Elections
6/13/00
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. More...
RN Receives NINR Grant
6/12/00
Leslie Hoffman,
PhD, RN, FAAN, a member of the Pennyslvania State Nurses Association,
professor of nursing and chairperson of the acute/tertiary care department
at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, and her team of
researchers recently received a $1.1 million grant for studies on
improving outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients. The grant is
funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research. The study will
assess whether nurse practitioners who are specially trained in caring for
critically ill patients can improve outcomes of these patients and wean
them off of ventilators more quickly and efficiently when compared to the
standard care provided in a university setting.
Contact Heather Szafranski at the University of Pittsburgh, 412-624-2607
New International Publications Available
6/12/00
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published The Management of Nutrition in Major Emergencies.
The book is a practical guide to measures needed to ensure that the food
and nutrition needs of disaster-stricken populations, refugees or
internally displaced persons are adequately met. The cost of the book is
$64.80 (U.S.).
Also available through WHO is Reduction of Maternal Mortality. This book draws together the facts, arguments, and lines of action needed to reduce maternal mortality from the current level of nearly 600,000 deaths each year. The cost of the book is $12.60 (U.S.).
To order these books, contact:
WHO Publications Center USA
49 Sheridan Ave.
Albany, NY
12210
Phone: 518-436-9686
Fax: 518-436-7433
Email: Qcorp@compuserve.com
The International Nursing Foundation of Japan has published the Fourth Edition of Nursing in the World: The Facts, Needs and Prospects. The publication includes information about the health and nursing situation in 121 countries with a focus on nursing education and other administrative matters. The cost of the book is $130 (U.S.) plus shipping and handling.
To order the publication contact The International Nursing Foundation of Japan at Tel: +81-3-3264-6667, Fax: +81-3-5275-3499, Email: Infj@mc.kcom.ne.jp. For information on how to purchase by mail, contact Cheryl Peterson at cpeterso@ana.org
Newest OJIN Topic
6/09/00
The latest issue
of the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN) is entitled Nursing Around the World: What
Are Its Commonalities and Differences?. This issue presents five
geographic views of nursing as it is practiced in Australia, Japan, Zimbabwe, Great Britain, and Israel. Although cultural
diversion is highlighted, there are many common themes including:
different levels of educational preparation for nurses; standards for
credentialing to maintain safe practice; models used for nursing practice;
and the existence of a nursing shortage. We hope you enjoy these differing
viewpoints and gain an appreciation for nurses worldwide. OJIN...
Update on Scope and Standards of Practice
6/07/00
The ANA Congress
on Nursing Practice and Economics (CNPE) has approved the new Scope and Standards of Practice for Nursing
Professional Development and Scope and
Standards of Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nursing Practice,
which are now slated to be published in late June and early September,
respectively.
During its recent May telephone conference call, the CNPE approved the definition of a nursing role specialty as nursing practice that intersects with another body of knowledge, has a direct impact on, and is supportive of the direct care rendered to patients by other professional nurses. This nursing specialty category includes informatics nurses, nurse administrators, and those in nursing professional development. The congress also approved the Criteria for Approval of Scope Statement of a Nursing Role Specialty and Criteria for Acknowledging Standards of Practice and Performance for a Nursing Role Specialty.
When these publications become available, they can be purchased online at www.NursesBooks.org or by calling 1-800-637-0323.
(ANA Contact Carol Bickford at x7060 or cbickfor@ana.org)
Nurse Receives Presidential Award for Scientists and Engineers
6/6/00
Janean Holden,
PhD, RN, became the first nurse funded by National Institute of Nursing
Research (NINR) to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for
Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Holden was honored at a White House
ceremony held on April 12. The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the
U.S. government on young professionals at the outset of their independent
research careers. Holden is leading a study on pain and behavior,
supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), at the
National Institutes of Health. To view the press release, visit NINR’s
website, www.nih.gov/ninr/press/ pecasepr.html. (Contact
Marianne Glass Duffy at NINR, 301-402-6598 or md82j@nih.gov)
Ergonomic Standard in Jeopardy
6/5/00
The House
Appropriations Committee has approved an amendment that would bar the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration from using appropriated
funds to promulgate, issue, implement, administer or enforce any ergonomic
standard. Sponsored by Rep. Anne Northup (R-KY), the amendment was
attached to a spending bill and must be approved by the full House, where
a vote is expected by mid-June, and then must withstand negotiations with
the Senate.
ANA members are encouraged to contact their representatives and urge them to delete this language from the bill. ANA Contact Rose Gonzales rgonzale@ana.org
ANA Supports Legislation to Combat Medical Errors
6/2/00
Since the
Institute of Medicine released its report titled To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System,
citing medical errors as the seventh leading killer among Americans today,
Congress has been considering legislation to address this issue. ANA has
been at the forefront of voicing nursing's concerns about the issue of
health care system errors. ANA supports a comprehensive approach that
addresses the systemic causes of error rather than one that blames
individual health care providers. ANA supports appropriate nurse staffing
levels and the Administration's proposals for a comprehensive solution to
ensure that consumers, public and private purchasers and providers work
together to eliminate all preventable errors and improve patient safety.
This year, three bills have been introduced in Congress.
ANA will continue to monitor this legislation and will advocate for patient safety and appropriate levels of nurse staffing to help prevent health care system errors. ANA Statement
ANA contact Rose Gonzalez rgonzale@ana.org
HHS Steps Up Vaccine Compliance
6/1/00
On April 9,
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Donna
Shalala announced a pilot project to increase flu and pneumonia shots for
nursing home residents. As part of the Healthy Aging Project, nursing home
residents will be alerted when their annual flu shot is due and can
receive it without getting a new physician's order each year.
The project will be run by the Health Care
Financing Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention in the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky,
Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico and Washington.
Still can't find it? Check More Past News.
 |
Back to May | Go to July |  |
 |
||||
| Search | Contact ANA | Join/Renew Membership | Members Only | Online CE |
NursingInsider Special Offersnursesbooks.org
© 2008 The American Nurses Association, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Copyright Policy | Privacy Statement | ||||