• Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Nurse Initiated Pain Management:
  This study addressed a practice problem: Children in a university-affiliated public hospital received little or no analgesics for acute pain (Fri., 6/26; Maryalice Jordan-Marsh, University of Southern California; Rozina Hall, Robin Watson, and Olga Mohan, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; PCRUC Poster Session #33, Area #8: Pain Management).
  
  
• Relaxation and Music for Post-Operative Pain During Ambulation:
  Opiates for post-operative pain during ambulation do not always relieve pain and have undesirable side effects. This study hypothesized that patients receiving jaw relaxation, music, or the combination of relaxation and music would have less sensation and distress of acute pain than the control subjects, and that the combination would be superior to single interventions (Fri., 6/26; Marion Good and Gene Anderson, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University; Michael Stanton-Hicks and Jeffrey Grass, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH; PCRUC Poster Session #35, Area #8: Pain Management).
  
  
• The Effectiveness of a Pain Program on Patient Outcomes:
  Pain research has documented undertreatment of pain for children. Three pediatric units participated in a study of pain management (Fri., 6/26, ANF Poster Presentation).
  
  
• Outcomes of Therapeutic Massage for Hospitalized Cancer Patients:
  Study explores the effects of therapeutic massage on perceptions of pain, sleep patterns, symptom distress, and anxiety (Fri., 6/26, ANF Poster Presentation).
  
  
• Pain Management Research:
  A session comprised of three presentations on "The Effect of Relaxation on Postoperative Pain" (Myra A. Smith, PhD, RN), "A Phenomenological Study of Chronic Pain" (Sandra P. Thomas, PhD, RN, FAAN), and "Improving Pain Management Through Research" (Suzanne S. Prevost, PhD, RN, CNAA); (Fri. 6/26; 11 a.m. - 12 noon. PCRUC Session Code 203).
  
  
• Effect of Relaxation on Post-Operative Pain:
  Findings from studies indicate that many patients report moderate to severe pain after surgery, despite new analgesic administration modalities -- including patient-controlled analgesia. Adjunct pain relief measures, such as modified progressive muscle relaxation, when used with analgesics, may enhance pain relief (Fri., 6/26, 11 a.m. - 12 noon, "Pain Management Research," Session Code 203).
  
  
• Pain Assessment in the Cognitively Impaired Adult:
  This presentation focuses on integrative research reviews (Fri. 6/26; 1 - 3 p.m.; Dana N. Rutledge, PhD, RN. This is the second of six presentations comprising a two-hour session on "Adult and Women's Health Nursing Research." PCRUC Session Code 209).
  

The pre-conference and convention together are expected to draw thousands of registrants. A few of the topic areas to be covered include: pain management, neonatal care, women's health issues, geriatric and long-term care, telehealth, the effects of cultural differences on nursing care outcomes, and nursing's response to the dramatic shifts resulting from changes in America's health care delivery system. This year's theme will be reflected in many of the presentations, including the ANA Presidential Keynote Address and Honorary Awards, and Nursing Hall of Fame ceremonies (Sat., 6/27, 1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.).

Two convention plenary sessions (detailed below) will focus on shifts in health care delivery and their effects on patient safety and quality outcomes, as well as their impact on the nursing profession.

Plenary #1: The Trauma of Transformation in the '90s:

This plenary session provides a comprehensive perspective on the current status of the health care industry; the changing nature of work; newly evolving opportunities for nursing; and, lessons to be drawn from the sea of change in the health care industry (Mon., 6/29, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.). Presented by Leah M. Curtin, DSc, MS, MA, RN, FAAN.

Plenary #2: The Future of For-Profit Health Care:

Privatization, mergers, acquisitions, conversions to for-profit organizations, and the changing venues for managed care signal the trend toward a for-profit business philosophy, where the bottom line and dividends to stockholders are at stake. Implications of this trend for the consumer, nurses, and other health care professionals will be examined by internationally known health policy and economics experts (Tue., 6/30, 2 - 3:50 p.m.)

Note to Media:

ANA convention press room hours of operation:
Fri., 6/26, 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Sat., 6/27 through Tue., 6/30, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Wed., 7/1, 7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
San Diego Convention Center, Room 11A)

Please contact Michael Stewart or Michelle Slattery for a media registration packet (see contact information at the beginning of this release). The packet will include a preliminary program and other background materials. (Please note: Media needing housing should call toll-free 888-813- 2749. Due to lodging limitations, we encourage media registrants to make their housing reservations as early as possible.) Journalists unable to attend the convention are encouraged to register to cover it from off-site. They, too, will be supplied with advance background materials and supported through telephone contact with ANA staff working in the press room during the convention.

ANA Convention Media Releases:

• "Uniting Nurses: One Strong Voice" Is Theme of ANA's 1998 Biennial Convention
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Pain Management ... Hormone Replacement Therapy ... Minority Substance Abuse ... Depression ... Alternative Therapies ... Transcultural Nursing ... Death and Dying in Long-Term Care Facilities ... "Kangaroo Care for Newborns" ... Telehealth & More
  
  
• Country Music Superstar Naomi Judd and Nurse Lynda Arnold Highlight Disease Risks of Occupational Injuries to Nurses and Other Health Care Professionals at ANA Convention
  Judd and Arnold To Speak at Media Briefing About Their Occupational Injuries and the Life-Changing and Life-Threatening Consequences
  
  
• Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight End-of-Life Issues
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Pain Management ... Holistic Therapy ... Death and Dying in Long Term Care Facilities ... Hospice Households & Other Issues
  
  
• Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight Concerns of Women
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Depression ... Osteoporosis ... Hormone Replacement Therapy ... Minority Women's Substance Abuse & More
  
  
• Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight Advances in Family and Maternal/Child Research
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Pediatric Pain Management, Health Care Options for Uninsured Children ... "Kangaroo Care" for Newborns ... Prenatal Home Care & More
  
  
• Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight The Need for Pain Management
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Pain Management ... Children & Pain ... Therapeutic Massage & More
  
  
• Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight Special Concerns of Nurses and Other Health Care Professionals
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Telehealth ... Transcultural Nursing ... Future of For-Profit Health Care ... HIV and School Nursing & More
  
  
• The Dynamics of Difference: Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight Health Concerns of Latino/a Americans
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Culturally Competent Care ... Latino/a Perceptions of Health & Other Issues
  
  
• The Dynamics of Difference: Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight Health Concerns of American Indians
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Culturally Competent Care ... Minorities & Substance Abuse & Other Issues
  
  
• The Dynamics of Difference: Selected ANA Convention Sessions Highlight Health Concerns of African Americans
  Nursing Researchers to Present Findings on Culturally Competent Care ... Breast Cancer Screening ... Differing Health Perceptions ... Substance Abuse & Other Issues

These releases, and other ANA information for media, are available at:
http://www.nursingworld.org/pressrel/index.htm and at
http://www.newswise.com (click on MedNews in Newswise.)

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The American Nurses Association is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation's 2.6 million registered urses through its 53 constituent associations. ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the work place, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

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