Editor's Viewpoint

Looking forward to 2008
Part I of this ANA SmartBrief special year-end report looked back at the most important trends and stories of 2007. Part II, below, highlights our predictions and yours for what's in store for 2008.

From where I sit, the upcoming year will present many challenges and opportunities for our industry. Nurses must continue to maintain high patient-safety standards while also working to ensure adequate staffing and support levels to allow such top-notch care. New CMS rules on reimbursements for preventable errors could change the hospital culture to emphasize preventive efforts and reduced medical errors. RNs also should monitor health IT adoption and remain at the forefront in using the tools to improve patient care.

As for events, the first half of the year promises the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators 2008 Conference in Orlando, Fla., and the LEAD Summit 2008 in Washington, D.C. Visit the ANA Web site for full details.

Your Predictions

Which of the following trends was most significant in 2007?

• Increased focus on hospital safety (including hospital-acquired infections, preventable errors) -- 43%
  
• Efforts to address nursing shortage -- 32%
  
• Obesity epidemic continuing -- 20%
  
• Increasing diversity of nursing work force -- 5%

What do you think should receive the most attention in 2008?

• Wellness and prevention programs -- 56%
• Chronic disease management -- 20%
  
• Patient safety -- 15%
  
• Health IT adoption -- 9%

What area of the nursing profession needs more focus in 2008?

• Staffing issues/ratios -- 41%
  
• Salary/benefits -- 30%
  
• Nursing shortage -- 23%
  
• Workplace violence and safety -- 6%

Do you think universal health care will become a reality in 2008?

• No -- 63%
• Maybe by 2010 -- 31%
• Yes -- 6%

ANA 2008 Events

Upcoming ANA Conferences

National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators 2008 Conference
Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, 2008
Orlando, Fla.

LEAD Summit 2008
June 23 and 24, 2008
Washington, D.C. 2008

ANA House of Delegates
June 25 to 27, 2008
Washington, D.C.

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