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| ANA SmartBrief |
| November 4, 2009 |
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VHA cites 8 ways to improve ED services
The adoption of a patient-tracking system and other strategies helped 28 hospitals in Oklahoma and Arkansas improve the efficiency of their emergency departments, according to VHA, a national network of health care organizations. Training hospital staff to adopt triage standards and conduct patient assessments independent of triage are other strategies that VHA recommends to enhance ED throughput. Healthcare IT News (11/3)
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Premature births tied to high U.S. infant mortality rate
The U.S. has a higher infant mortality rate than many other industrialized nations because of a high rate of premature births, data showed. Infertility treatments, a higher rate of cesarean sections and the use of labor-inducing drugs to deliver babies early are among the reasons the U.S. premature birth rate is at 12.4%, compared with 6.3% in Sweden. The New York Times (11/3)
Perinatal hospice supports families of babies with fatal conditions
Nurse Mary Peroutka leads the perinatal hospice program at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia, Md., helping parents who choose to continue a pregnancy after learning their baby has a fatal condition. She helps families create a plan of care to make the most of the time the baby has with the family after birth. Nurse.com (11/2)
Switch to light cigarettes cuts chances of quitting
Switching to low-tar, light or mild cigarettes cuts the likelihood smokers would kick the habit in half, even among those who switched as part of an effort to quit smoking, according to a University of Pittsburgh study. Reuters (11/3)
Healthy cholesterol levels may ward off prostate cancer
U.S. research showed the risk of aggressive prostate cancer may be lower among men with healthy cholesterol levels. One study found that men whose cholesterol was below 200 had less than half the risk of developing high-grade tumors, and a second report found that those with lots of HDL or "good cholesterol" were less likely to get any form of prostate cancer than men with low HDL. ABC News/The Associated Press (11/3)
Study links folate in pregnancy with ADHD in children
Low levels of folate in pregnant women are associated with a higher risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in their children at ages 7 to 9, a study found. Researchers said the data support long-held beliefs that folic acid levels in pregnant women influence the development of a child's nervous system. Yahoo!/HealthDay News (11/3)
Hospital telephone triage line improves ED efficiency
Midland Memorial Hospital's telephone triage system logged some 4,700 calls in its first three months, and 65% of patients who told the nurse they thought they should go to the emergency department were referred to a clinic or other source of care. Officials at the Texas facility said the triage line has made a significant difference in the acuity levels of patients in the ED and led to faster admissions and "door-to-doctor time." Midland Reporter-Telegram (Texas) (11/3)
Mass. nurses ask lawmakers to pass staffing ratio bill
Massachusetts nurses related emotional stories and lobbied state lawmakers to pass a bill setting nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals. The bill would require the state to set ratios, but hospitals could change them based on specific needs. MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Mass.) (11/4)
Maryland begins secret hand-washing surveillance program
Maryland is using federal stimulus money for a program that will have teams of hospital staff secretly monitor the hand-washing habits of co-workers. The goal is to collect information about where improvements are needed and to raise awareness. The Miami Herald/The Associated Press (free registration) (11/3)
CDC to upgrade system for tracking H1N1-triggered school closings
The CDC plans to improve its monitoring system to facilitate the collection of summary data on school closures caused by the H1N1 flu virus in real time and better track the spread of the virus. Government Health IT (11/3)
ANA offers $175 discount off Global Volunteers Programs to its members and friends!
ANA is proud to announce its new partnership with Global Volunteers. Work alongside local people on life-affirming international service projects for one, two or three weeks. Use your health care background, teach conversational English, care for at-risk children or help on a labor project. Health care professionals are needed to provide basic care to impoverished newborns, children and their parents. Global Volunteers offers year-round volunteer programs on six continents and 20 countries. Learn more and choose your volunteer opportunity! Visit http://www.globalvolunteers.org/ana.htm or call 800-487-1074 for more information.
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