Volvo for Life Awards - Calling All Heroes
11/30/04
The Volvo for Life Awards honors individuals making outstanding contributions in the area of safety, environment or quality of
life. For example, people who have accomplished things such as opening a community center for needy kids, developing recycling programs for their schools, or helping save the life of a perfect stranger.
Volvo will select 100 semi-finalists, who will receive a framed Certificate of Merit to honor their accomplishments. From those 100 semi-finalists, Volvo will select the top three finalists in three categories: safety, quality of life and environment. From these finalists, judges will name one winner for each of the three categories; they will each receive $50,000 to be donated to the charities of their choice. The remaining six finalists will each receive a $25,000 charitable donation.
If you know someone who qualifies for this program, please go to www.volvoforlifeawards.com to nominate a hero. Deadline for submitting a nomination is January 10, 2005.
50-State Study of Caregiver Support Services Released in Recognition of National Family Caregivers Month
11/29/04
Family Caregiver Alliance, in collaboration with the National Conference of State Legislatures, has released The State of the States in Family Caregiver Support: A 50-State Study. The study is the first to examine publicly funded caregiver support programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia since the passage of the landmark National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) in 2000.
According to Lynn Friss Feinberg, Deputy Director of the National Center on Caregiving at Family Caregiver Alliance, "The report focuses attention on a growing issue that is an increasing reality of daily life for America's families: how to support and sustain those who are the cornerstone of our long-term care system—the dedicated families and friends of older people and adults with disabilities." The findings reveal that for the first time, every state now offers at least some caregiver support services funded by the NFCSP.
Read complete press release at www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=1277.
ANA Soliciting Nursing Schools Interested in Pilot-Testing Safe Patient Handling Curriculum Module
11/24/04
The ANA in coordination with the Tampa VHA Patient Safety Center is now accepting submissions to participate in a pilot project to evaluate a safe patient handling curriculum module. With grant funding from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, this curriculum module will provide a select number of nursing schools a way to teach nursing students how to lift, transfer, and reposition patients using mechanical lifts rather than using manual techniques. For more information, go to www.nursingworld.org/handlewithcare/niosh.htm.
Researchers Recommend Vaccinating Adolescents Against Whooping Cough
11/24/04
Experts are recommending that adolescents and some adults be vaccinated against whooping cough to help prevent infection and potential transmission to infants, according to the December 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
About 300,000 people worldwide--mostly infants--die each year from whooping cough, known as pertussis. The disease is caused by Bordetella pertussis, a type of bacterium that infects the human respiratory tract. Vaccinations prevent infection for a few years, but that immunity declines if booster shots aren't administered later in life.
The Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI), an international group of pertussis researchers, has formulated several recommendations to help control the disease. The goal set for North America is to enhance immunity to whooping cough by introducing universal adolescent vaccination programs and vaccinating certain target groups, such as parents and relatives of newborns, healthcare workers and childcare workers. Read full article at
www.journals.uchicago.edu/CID/journal/issues/v39n12/33913/33913.html.
Free CE for ANA Members
11/23/04
ANA members can now get a wide selection of our continuing education modules FREE ALL THE TIME in the new Members Only section of NursingWorld at www.nursingworld.org/member/ce. All membership categories can take advantage of this new ANA membership benefit.
If you are already an ANA member, go to Members Only and either "Log In", or create your online account.
If you are not an ANA member, learn more about membership options now.
November is National Hospice Month: A Time to Increase Awareness
11/22/04
November is celebrated as Hospice Month across the country. It is a time to raise awareness of hospice and stress the importance of quality care at the end of life. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization encourage all Americans to talk with their families and plan for the care they might want when facing a life-limiting illness.
During National Hospice Month, hospices across the country are working to raise awareness of the comprehensive care hospice and palliative care providers offer. Hospice provides pain and symptom control, social support, and spiritual and emotional care to the dying and their families. To learn more, go to www.hospiceinfo.org.
Iowa State University's Food Safety Answers Program Offers Food-Safety Tips
11/22/04
FoodSafetyAnswers.org offers tips and online resources for safe food handling. The Web site contains more than 600 frequently asked food safety questions that cover purchasing, leftovers and everything in between. The site features interactive search tools and topic-specific browsing. Users also may submit an information request to a national food safety expert. Iowa State University Extension and Iowa State's College of Family and Consumer Sciences sponsor the site. Visit www.FoodSafetyAnswers.org to learn more.
ANA President Blakeney Speaks Out on Workplace Violence at NIOSH Conference
11/19/04
On November 17, 2004, ANA President Barbara A. Blakeney represented Nursing on a panel of national leaders during the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conference titled, "Partnering in Workplace Violence Prevention: Translating Research to Practice" in Baltimore, Maryland. The goal of the conference was to identify successful workplace violence prevention strategies, barriers to program implementation, research and information dissemination gaps, and roles for national agencies and organizations. Among the issues raised by President Blakeney were the needs to assess situation-specific risk within health care worksites, to explore staffing as a measure to prevent violent incidents, to consider dangers associated with community and home care nursing practice, to highlight factors related to cultural differences among staff and patients, and to advocate for a federal regulation that addresses workplace violence. NIOSH information can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/niosh/injury/traumaviolence.html. For more information, contact Butch de Castro at Bdecastro@ana.org.
November 18th is Great American Smokeout Day
11/18/04
In honor of today's Great American Smokeout, we encourage you to take thirty seconds and help smokers quit today by referring at least one person to 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669).
This new and free quitline was announced at a press conference last week by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. The quitline, now available throughout the country, routes a caller to a local cessation counselor who tailors services to the individual caller. Counselors help smokers come up with appropriate quit plans and schedules, provide pertinent information regarding the use and access of nicotine replacement therapy, and provide answers to questions and concerns. They can also inform callers about additional local cessation services.
This toll free number is part of Secretary Tommy Thompson's broader initiative designed to help Americans quit smoking. As you probably are aware, tobacco kills 440,000 American smokers each year. Of the 46 million US smokers, 70% want to quit. But they have trouble doing so alone. Recent studies of quitlines have shown that these tools can double (or in some cases triple) the chances of successfully quitting smoking.
Quitting smoking is the most effective thing a person can do for his or her health. Referring a person to a quitline is a quick way for you to emphasize the importance of quitting and provide an effective tool. The Smoking Cessation Leadership Center-a national program office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation working with leaders of health professions and health care institutions, is a proponent of quitlines and encourages all to take advantage of this convenient, effective cessation service and refer someone in need to call 1-800-QUITNOW.
On this, the 28th annual Great American Smokeout, a day designed to empower people to quit smoking for at least 24 hours, we ask that you help and tell them about 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669).
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Blakeney
President, American Nurses Association
Nursesbooks.org Releases Latest Published Work on Florence Nightingale
11/18/04
Three renowned holistic nurse scholars join the director of the Florence Nightingale Museum to present a portrait of this remarkable woman. Interpreting Nightingale’s life and work by the principles of healing, leadership and global action, the authors identify and discuss the ways in which her work—both practical and visionary—can yet rejuvenate nurses, nursing and health care worldwide. More...
Discovery Health Channel Presents "Lifeline: The Nursing Diaries"
11/17/04
A three-part series, which premiered on Nov. 7 on the Discovery Channel, takes viewers on a journey from the point when a nurse receives a new patient and makes life-and-death decisions to the point where the nurse provides the best possible care for the patient.
The episodes are filmed at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
For air times of "Lifelines: Nursing Diaries," check your local listings or visit the Discovery Health Channel Web site at http://health.discovery.com/premiers/nursingdiaries/nursingdiaries.html.
2005 Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program
11/17/04
The Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program is a leadership development program designed to prepare registered nurses who are in senior executive positions for roles in shaping the U.S. health care system. The three-year fellowships offer participants the experiences, insights, competencies, and skills necessary for executive leadership positions in a health care system undergoing unprecedented change.
Application deadline is Feb 1, 2005. Please go to http://www.rwjf.org/applying/cfpDetail.jsp?cfpCode=ENL&type=open to view Calls for Proposals (CFP).
Reebok's Share the Savings Holiday Sales Event, Wednesday, November 17th through Sunday, November 21st
11/16/04
NursingWorld visitors TAKE 40% OFF your entire purchase at any Reebok, Rockport, Ralph Lauren Footwear or Greg Norman U.S. Outlet Store Wednesday, November 17th, through Sunday, November 21st.
Print your sale pass now
ANA Holds Open House at New Headquarters Building
11/15/04
On Nov. 5, ANA threw open the doors of its new headquarters and welcomed supporters of ANA, nursing leaders and members of the local community to a ceremony celebrating the building's official opening in Silver Spring.
Local leaders such as Montgomery County, MD, Executive Douglas M. Duncan joined the ANA community, which included leaders from ANA's 54 constituent member associations, its related entities, associate organizational members (AOMs) and organizational affiliates in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception marking the milestone in ANA's history.
ICN Salutes 150th Anniversary of Florence Nightingale's Work in the Crimea
11/15/04
On the 150th anniversary of the start of Florence Nightingale’s work in the Crimea, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and its sister organisation, the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF), pay tribute to her invaluable contributions to nursing.
"Florence Nightingale continues to teach us. We need to follow her example and call to the public's attention the critical need for nurses to assure adequate health care for all," stated ICN and FNIF President, Christine Hancock. Read complete press release at www.icn.ch/PR14_04.htm
New Program Offers Training to Help Patients Quit Smoking
Before, During, and After Pregnancy
11/12/04
The "Smoking Cessation for Pregnancy and Beyond: Proven Strategies to Help Your Patients Quit" program is now available for nurses, physicians, and other health care providers who assist female patients in quitting smoking, in particular, patients who are pregnant or in their child-bearing years.
This "virtual clinic" program offers interactive case simulations and comprehensive discussions of the patient visits; mini-lectures on relevant topics from leading experts; and interviews with real patients who have quit. The smoking cessation program is available on CD-ROM through The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for $25.00 at http://sales.acog.com/acb/stores/1/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=509 and also can be downloaded for free at the
Dartmouth Interactive Media Laboratory web site, http://iml.dartmouth.edu/education/cme/Smoking/install.html.
Nurses who complete the program may receive a maximum of 6 NCE contact hours.
Continuing education information is found at http://iml.dartmouth.edu/Smoking_linkpage/nce.html.
Save on Thanksgiving Bouquet from Kabloom
11/12/04
NursingWorld visitors can save $12 on this abundant bouquet for Thanksgiving. Varied Autumn hues of red, orange and yellow in a rich variety of Roses, Alstroemeria and other flowers and greens, this is one of our most bountiful and lovely bouquets of the year - a great way to send thanks!
$32.99 (was $44.99) - Use promo TGBANA.
Order Now
ICN 2004 International Telenursing Survey
11/11/04
Any nurse involved in proving care/education of patients remotely or supporting the care/education of patients remotely is encouraged to complete the 2004 International Telenursing Survey. The results of the survey will contribute to the development of ICN International Competencies for Telenursing. More...
American Nurses Association Endorses Many Election Winners
11/10/04
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is celebrating a number of victories in the 2004 election. Many advocates of health care and nursing priorities were elected to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday. Eighty-two percent of the candidates endorsed by ANA's Political Action Committee (PAC) board will be serving in the 109th Congress. More...
ICN Releases Publication on Global Nursing Shortage
11/10/04
The International Council of Nurses (ICN), the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF), and the Burdett Trust for Nursing released The Global Shortage of Registered Nurses: An Overview of Issues and Actions. The document provides a global overview of the nursing workforce; it discusses the challenges associated with shortages; and describes a policy framework for interventions. The full document may be found at www.icn.ch/global/shortage.pdf [large pdf file; 62 pages].
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl Peterson at 301-628-5089 or cpeterso@ana.org.
ANA Salute NPs
11/09/04
ANA congratulates all nurse practitioners (NPs) during National Nurse Practitioner Week, November 7 - 13. More than 106,000 NPs provide high quality health care in a range of settings across this country. In October, Congress passed a resolution honoring National Nurse Practitioner Week. For more information, go to www.aanp.org/Practice+Policy+and+Legislation/
Legislation/US+Congress+Honors+Nurse+Practitioners.htm.
Information Kit Provides Instruction on Notifying Family of Unexpected Hospitalization
11/08/04
The Seven Steps to Successful Notification is an information kit that addresses the critical issue of notifying family when someone is hospitalized. It is a product of The Next of Kin Project, an organization founded by a family that was notified of their loved one's hospitalization just as their loved one died. The kit is posted in PDF format on the Next of Kin web site. Go to the Next of Kin Project site
Fight Against Diabetes and Heart Disease Link Intensifies
11/05/04
A number of recent reports indicate that people with diabetes are not meeting recommended goals for blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Failing to meet these goals places these people at an extremely high risk for heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death for people with diabetes. During American Diabetes Month in November, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American College of Cardiology (ACC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) are urging people with diabetes to learn how they can reduce their risk for cardiovascular disease, which kills two out of three people with diabetes.
A free "Diabetes Survival Guide" booklet has been developed to give people with diabetes information they need to help protect themselves from diabetes-related complications such as heart disease and stroke. The booklet is
available by calling, toll-free, 1-800-DIABETES. Also, educational materials on diabetes are at www.ndep.nih.gov.
Massage Therapy Popular for Pain Management and Relief
11/04/04
A national survey released by the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) shows that consumers feel massage is second only to medication for pain management and relief.
The survey revealed that 90 percent of consumers believe that massage therapy can be effective in reducing pain. Among those who have received massage for pain, massage therapy followed only medication as the form of pain relief respondents said gave the greatest relief from pain (30 percent of consumers said medication, followed by 21 percent for massage therapy, 19 percent chiropractic and 16 percent physical therapy). Also, healthcare providers are increasingly discussing the benefits of massage with their patients. One in five consumers (20 percent) indicated they had discussed massage therapy with their doctor or other healthcare provider, up from 19 percent in 2003 and 14 percent in 2002.
Read more on the survey at www.amtamassage.org/news/04consurvey.html.
ANA Members Enjoy a New Fitness Benefit
11/03/04
To help improve member health and well-being, ANA has arranged for members and their families to take advantage of the GlobalFit Fitness Program.
- Up to 60% savings on regular monthly dues
- Month-to-month memberships with no long-term contracts
- Access to over 1,500 fitness clubs nationwide, including select Gold's Gym and Ladies Workout Express locations.
- Additional discounts for family members
Find out more...
New Alliance to Address Global Problem of Patient Safety
11/01/04
The World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners has announced a series of key actions to cut the number of illnesses, injuries and deaths suffered by patients during health care, with the launch of the World Alliance for Patient Safety.
The new alliance which includes WHO, senior health officials, academics and patients' groups have agreed to work together to reduce the adverse health and social consequences of health care. A number of countries have already initiated patient safety plans and legislation. Political leaders from several countries are playing a key role in supporting the development of research, delivery capabilities and knowledge to tackle the full range of patient safety issues on a worldwide scale. Two partners of the Alliance - the Department of Health of the United Kingdom and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - are committing resources and expertise to start reversing the escalating incidence of preventable adverse effects in health-care.
Read complete press release at www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2004/pr74/en.
Press Releases
