News > Past News > December 2003
12/29/03
The reports, the National Healthcare Quality Reportand the National Healthcare Disparities Report, present data on the quality of services for seven clinical conditions, including cancer, diabetes, end-stage renal disease, heart disease, HIV and AIDS, mental health, and respiratory disease. It also includes data on maternal and child health, nursing home and home health care, and patient safety.
View reports at www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov. 12/26/03
12/24/03
12/23/03
Despite this good news, more than 11,000 qualified applicants were turned away due to limited numbers of faculty, clinical sites and classroom space. According to AACN, without increased federal support, the potential for growth in nursing education programs may be limited at a time when the demand for well-educated nurses is on the rise. For more on the survey, go to www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/enrl03.htm. 12/23/03
12/22/03 12/19/03
The mods that will expire in 2003 are:
Take advantage of this final opportunity to get CE credits on these topics. Go to the CE catalog
12/19/03 12/18/03 12/18/03 12/16/03 12/16/03 12/15/03
12/12/03
12/11/03
12/10/03
12/09/03
To be a part of this audio-conference, please e-mail your name, your organization and address, email address, fax number, and phone number to: esmalley@jcaho.org.
12/08/03 Already, doctor's offices, clinics and state flu hotlines have been flooded with calls, most of them from anxious parents seeking either treatment for sick children or flu shots to prevent illness. And health officials are predicting that this year's flu season could be the worst in years.
In addition, the two makers of flu shots in the United States said Friday they have run out of vaccine and will not be able to meet the surge in demand for shots. However, people who have delayed getting vaccinated may still be able to, depending on whether distributors and doctors' offices have supplies of flu vaccine left.
Complicating the problem is that a new strain of the flu virus has surfaced: the A Fujian strain (H3N2), which is much harsher than other flu viruses. Although this year's vaccine does not protect against the Fujian virus, it does fend off a related strain, A Panama (H3N2), and might deter the illness somewhat or lessen its severity.
In addition to protecting against A Panama, this year's vaccine fights another form of influenza A and one of influenza B. The vaccine was formulated in February based on worldwide monitoring of the various versions of the virus by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.
The elderly and children are most vulnerable to the flu, and the unusual number of deaths so early in the season has caused alarm.
For the latest developments on the flu virus and vaccination updates, see www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/weekly.htm.
12/05/03 12/04/03 12/03/03
The poll was conducted on November 14-16. For more, go to http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr031201.asp. 12/03/03 12/02/03 12/01/03
Aiken is the Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor in Nursing and director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and Professor of Sociology. In 2002, she received ANA's Barbara Thoman Curtis Award for significant contributions to nursing practice and health policy. She has been an influential nurse leader and researcher in the field of nursing outcomes research for two decades. Her many accomplishments include developing and testing measures and research methods to document the significant contributions of nurses to hospital quality of care and patient outcomes.
In October of 2002, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published research by Aiken and her colleagues that showed RN staffing levels have a significant effect on preventable hospital deaths among surgical patients. According to the study, the odds of patient morality rose seven percent for every additional patient added to the average nurse's workload. In September of 2003, JAMA published additional research from Aiken showing that the educational level of hospital nurses also is important in determining whether patients survive common surgeries. Her research found that a 10 percent increase in the proportion of hospital staff nurses holding a bachelor's degree is associated with a five percent decrease in post-operative mortality.
"Improvements that measurably enhance health care require innovative thinking, teamwork and commitment," said Dennis S. O'Leary, president of JCAHO. "The winners of 2003 Codman Awards demonstrate all of those characteristics."
HHS Issues National Reports on Quality and Disparities in the Use of Health Care Services
HHS (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson released two reports that represent the first national comprehensive effort to measure the quality of health care in America and differences in access to health care services for priority populations.
ANA Announces New Banking Options for Nurses
Nuses can now take advantage of free checking, online bill pay, high yield savings and more - all available 24/7, to fit into any shift or schedule. More...New Standard for Nurse Administrators
Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators, Second Edition is the newest publication from nursesbooks.org. The book is a key resource for both nursing leadership professional development and the Magnet Hospital application process. This updated version addresses in its scope statement the two levels of nursing administration practice -- executives and managers -- across all settings, along with the required licensure, education, and experience. Go to the Bookstore
Nursing School Enrollment Up 16.6 Percent
Thousands of Qualified Applicants Turned Away
Enrollments in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs rose 16.6 percent in 2003 according to the annual survey of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). It marks the third year in a row of enrollment increases in baccalaureate nursing programs after years of steady decline between 1995 and 2000.
New Look for ANF
The web site of the American Nurses Foundation has a new look. Now it's easier than ever to find information on nursing research grants, the Adolescent Health project, opportunities to assist the foundation's work through donations and more. Go to the ANF siteLatest OJIN Ethics Column
Ruth Ludwick and Mary Silva's latest Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN) Ethics column focuses on the recent OJIN topic, "Health Care and the Aging Population: What Are Today's Challenges". The Ethics column discussion examines select ethical issues found in this OJIN topic's five articles on aging, incorporating the provisions of the 2001 American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements. Read column...
Last Chance CE Mods
There are eight Online Continuing Education Independent Study Mods that will expire on December 31, 2003. After this dates, the mods will still be available in the Archive section of ANA's Onlince CE site for research purposes, but will no longer offer continuing education credits.
OJIN/Hirsh Institute's Latest Topic: Psychiatric/Mental Health
Achieving evidence-based practice in the psychiatric nursing specialty is dependent on qualified nurse researchers conducting research relevant for practice and appropriately disseminating that research to those who can best use it, practicing nurses. In a new article from the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing (OJIN) and the Sarah Cole Hirsh Institute, Zauszniewski and Suresky offer a "State of the Evidence Review for psychiatric and mental health nursing". Read article...Reminder -- The Leadership Experience for Nursing Professionals
The Leadership Experience, sponsored by the American Nurses Association, is a course designed specifically for nursing professionals who desire to improve their leadership skills. This is a very powerful and intensive course for those committed to improving their professional and personal
leadership skills. More...New CE -- Behavioral Determinants of Healthy Aging: Good News for the Baby Boomer Generation
The first of the Baby Boomer generation will officially enter the beginning of old age in 2011 by turning 65. Recent research findings suggest that if members of this cohort group engage in certain healthy behaviors and thought patterns in their middle years, they will experience a vital satisfying life in their 70's and beyond. This module focuses on the lifespan psychological perspective of aging and provides behavior recommendations for middle age individuals that are likely to prevent disease-related disability, cognitive impairment and late life depression. This is good news for Baby Boomers! Go to Module...KaBloom to Offer Special Discounts to Nurses
ANA has chosen KaBloom, the fastest growing floral retailer in America, to provide NursingWorld visitors with special online discounts on fresh cut flowers, bouquets, plants, and other gift items. More...Executive Director for American Academy of Nursing
Innovative leader sought to be Executive Director for American Academy of Nursing (AAN). AAN, a Section 501©(3) corporation, with the American Nurses Association as sole corporate member, is an elected group of highly accomplished leaders across all sectors of nursing. The Executive Director (ED) will partner with the AAN volunteer board of directors to envision and actualize an evolving agenda. More...Last Call for Nominations
You still have time to run for an ANA elective office. The deadline for ANA's receipt of complete nominee packets is January 5, 2004. More...ANA Applauds Nurse Staffing Bill Introduced In U.S. House of Representatives
The American Nurses Association (ANA) today commended the introduction of federal legislation that will ensure adequate registered nurse (RN) staffing in health care facilities, a step that takes into account the recommendations of recent reports and the public outcry of health care consumers and nurses over unsafe staffing practices in the United States. 12/9/03 Press Release | 5/1/03 Press Release
Could You Be An ANA Media Speaker?
The American Nurses Association Communications Department has established a network of media speakers — registered nurses (RNs), who are experts on the front lines of health care. ANA Media Speakers accept calls from journalists referred to them by the ANA Communications department. More...
Results on Washington State I-841 Vote "No" Campaign
Washington State's Initiative 841 passed by a 53%-47% margin on the November 4, 2003 ballot. As a result, the state's ergonomic safety rule has been repealed and the state will be forbidden from developing or implementing regulations that require employers to address ergonomic hazards in the workplace. More....
JCAHO Complimentary Audio Conference
The nation's leading advocates for quality in health care, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) presents a complimentary audio-conference on the Partnership for Human Research Protection, Inc., (PHRP) Accreditation Program on December 16th from Noon-1PM CST.
JCAHO and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), formed the Partnership for Human Research Protection, Inc. to offer an accreditation program that will seek to protect the safety and rights of participants in clinical trials and research programs in public and private hospitals, academic medical centers, and other research facilities in the United States and abroad.
Demand for Flu Vaccine Spikes Following Colorado Deaths
Nasty strain not included in vaccine sparks outbreak predictions
The deaths of at least six Colorado children in the past two weeks from the influenza virus, coupled with the fact that a particularly virulent strain of the flu is circulating that is not included in this year's vaccine, have federal health officials bracing for a harsh flu season that could lead to higher hospital admissions and overcrowding in emergency rooms.
Nursing School Enrollments Up 15.9%, Continuing Trend
Enrollments in entry-level baccalaureate programs in nursing rose by 15.9% in fall 2003, according to initial results released Dec. 1 by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The increase comes after an 8.1% increase in 2002 and a 3.7% increase in 2001, which reversed a six-year period of drops in enrollment. However, the growth is not expected to be sufficient enough to solve the nation's current shortage of registered nurses, which will reach peak proportions over the next 10 years as the bulk of the nation's nurses begin to retire. In addition, a critical shortage of nursing school faculty and resources is preventing many nursing schools from accommodating the increased number of applicants. For details on the AACN announcement, see www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/NewsReleases/enrl03.htm/.Center for American Nurses (CAN) Web Site Launched
The Center for American Nurses (CAN) web site (www.centerforamericannurses.org) launched on November 15 features information on workplace advocacy, professional development and personal growth.
Go to the CAN siteNurses Again Rank No. 1 in Gallup "Honesty and Ethics" Poll
The nation's nurses have ranked first once again for their honesty and integrity, with 83 percent of Americans rating them "high" or "very high," up from 79% last year, according to an annual CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. Following nurses were doctors and veterinarians, who tied for second at 68%, and pharmacists who came in at 67%. Nurses have consistently ranked first every year but one after being added to the poll in 1999. The exception came in 2001, when firefighters ranked first following the 9/11 attacks. Car salesmen came in last for honesty and ethics in this year's poll, followed by HMO managers.ANA Endorses "Wrong Site" Protocol
ANA was among the medical, nursing, and health care leadership associations and organizations that joined the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) in a new nationwide effort to eliminate wrong site, wrong procedure, and wrong patient surgeries. Such occurrences are widely viewed as entirely preventable. More...Nursing's Agenda for the Future (NAF) Progress Report
Now Available Online
In the fall of 2001, leaders from more than 60 national nursing organizations met in an unprecedented summit to forge the future vision of the nursing profession. That historic meeting lead to the publication of Nursing's Agenda for the Future: A Call to the Nation, in April 2002, which is the blueprint for what nursing should look like in the year 2010. Nursing's Agenda for the Future Progress Report is a new, four-color, four-page update including activities that are moving NAF's programmatic and fund-raising goals forward. Download Report | NAF Home Linda Aiken Named Winner of 2003 Ernest Codman Award
Nurse researcher Linda H. Aiken, PhD, FAAN, FRCN, RN, was named the 2003 Ernest A. Codman award winner in the individual category by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The prestigious award is given annually to recognize excellence in the use of outcomes measurement by individuals and health care organizations to achieve improvements in the quality and safety of health care. The award is named for the physician regarded in health care as the "father of outcomes research."
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