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| ANA SmartBrief |
| March 23, 2009 |
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More stimulus funding to benefit disproportionate-share hospitals
The HHS announced that states will receive $268 million in additional economic-stimulus funding to help disproportionate-share hospitals provide care for patients without insurance. The move will benefit safety net hospitals that are facing challenges tied to the growing number of uninsured people, said an official with the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. Modern Healthcare (free registration) (3/20)
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Simple acts can help reduce MRSA infections in hospitals
Simple acts by hospital staff, such as balling up paper hospital gowns and tucking them inside of gloves to dispose of them, can reduce the rate of MRSA infections by 26% to 62%, according to infection control experts. The gown idea came from Jason Palmer, who works at Albert Einstein Healthcare Network in Philadelphia, and was identified by the CDC as a Positive Deviance approach to reduce infections. Yahoo!/Reuters (3/21)
Report: More mentally ill sent to U.S. nursing homes
More young and middle-age patients with mental illness are being sent to U.S. nursing homes, creating safety issues for staff and other residents, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. CMS data showed almost 125,000 mentally ill adults in U.S. nursing homes in 2008, up 41% from 2002. The Sun Herald (Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.)/The Associated Press (3/22)
Experts worry about implications of flu drug resistance
Health experts say this flu season's problem with one widely circulating strain's resistance to Tamiflu could spread and affect treatment in years to come. Medical providers also are concerned about the resistance problem because they usually don't know which strain of the flu a patient has, to adjust treatment. Experts say the situation highlights the need to develop faster flu tests, new drugs and better global monitoring of flu viruses. USA TODAY (3/22)
Diet, exercise, smoking influence deep belly fat
A study of almost 3,000 middle-age adults found those who ate a healthy diet and exercised regularly had less abdominal fat, especially unhealthy layers of deep belly fat. Researchers also found smokers had more visceral fat than nonsmokers and alcohol intake contributed to higher levels of deep belly fat in men. Reuters (3/20)
Nurses blog about economy's impact on depressed patients
Nurses are writing about about an increase in patient suicides due to the economy on the Medscape blog, "In Our Own Words." The site also allows nurses to brainstorm and share ways to help patients cope with depression, poor health and recession-related troubles. eMaxHealth.com (3/22)
New software to improve nurse documentation
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses has worked with Computer Sciences Corp. to develop an application designed to enhance operational functions and patient outcomes. The AORN Syntegrity Standardized Perioperative Framework features care standards as well as predefined fields and tables that can be harmonized with platforms for nurse documentation, electronic medical records and other clinical tasks. Health Data Management (3/20)
Funding problems threaten unique Seattle AIDS program
Seattle's Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing home for HIV/AIDS patients in the U.S., may have to close its outpatient program because of funding problems. Most of the program's money comes from the state, which is grappling with a $9 billion deficit. SeattlePI.com (3/22)
More hospitals look internally to develop nurse leaders
The shortage of nurses makes it difficult for hospitals to fill positions overall, but it can be especially tough to find good candidates for management and administrative jobs. The American College of Healthcare Executives says only 33% of hospitals have active succession-planning programs, but more facilities are looking to start a program, such as the Frontline Nursing Leadership Academy, to train staff nurses in decision-making and leadership skills. Nurse.com (3/23)
N.J. nurse donates kidney to colleague in need
New Jersey RN Joan Lewandowski helps save lives every day but went a step beyond when she donated a kidney to fellow nurse Charlotte Santiago at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. Lewandowski already was a registered organ donor but says she didn't want to wait until she was dead to help someone in need. NJ.com/New Jersey Local News Service (3/22)
Oncology nurse uses her experience to promote cancer screening
Chicago-area oncology nurse Trisha Simon, age 36, has been battling stage IV colon cancer for the past three years, going through multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. Simon, who calls her cancer "a gift in very poor wrapping paper," uses her experiences to encourage others to get a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer. Daily Herald (Chicago) (3/23)
FDA should divide into 2 units, drug-industry experts say
A number of drug-sector advocates are joining calls to reorganize the FDA into two agencies: one focused on food safety, the other on medical products. Pharmaceutical executives say the move could help expedite approvals for treatments because the FDA's attention would no longer be diverted by food-security problems. "The history of FDA is that the commissioner focuses on medical products and only turns to food safety when a crisis comes up," a former agency official said. Google/The Associated Press (3/22)
Celebrate National Nurses Week with the ANA!
Every year from May 6 to 12 the ANA celebrates National Nurses Week. The 2009 theme is "Nurses Building a Healthy America." ANA offers a full line of products for purchase with the new theme and logo that can be purchased throughout the year. Celebrate your nurses by purchasing official National Nurses Week products at www.nursesweekgifts.com.
Pharmacology seminar for advanced practice nurses
Mortar & Pestle is a new continuing education program in pharmacology for advanced practice nurses offered by American Nurses Credentialing Center. This course will take place Wednesday, April 29, to Friday, May 1, in the Washington, D.C., metro area. The cost is $415 for ANA Full/Direct members. Get more information and register here.
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