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August 12, 2005
This week's issue of AONE eNews Update is made possible in part by the support of InterimHealthcare.
1. The Medicare Part D Drug Benefit: Tips for Nurses Now Available.
2. New Study Examines Impact of Nurse-Patient Ratios Law in California.
3. Community Health Centers Suffering from Medicaid Cuts, Growth in Uninsured.
4. Remaking American Medicine.
5. FDA Issuing More Warnings for Medications; Approval Times Slower in Light of Recent Criticism.
6. New Research Finds One in Three Uninsured Children Had No Medical Care for An Entire Year.
7. Coalition Proposes Administrative Changes to Speed Nurse Immigration.
AONE News and Resources
AONE Online Career Center
1. THE MEDICARE PART D DRUG BENEFIT: TIPS FOR NURSES NOW AVAILABLE. A survey of older adults showed that 60% of these individuals reported taking 5 or more medications, and 16% reported taking 10 or more medications. Approximately 20% of older individuals reported that they restricted the use of their medications because of the prohibitive cost of these drugs. In response to these concerns among others, Congress passed legislation, which set up Medicare Part D to help meet the individual needs of the beneficiary. One thousand one hundred sixty two pages of final regulation were published in the Federal Register on January 21, 2005 to describe the details of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit and includes the expectation that private entities (e.g. insurance plans) will form Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs). A tip sheet by the Coalition of Geriatric Nursing Organizations has been created to assist nurses to help older adults make informed decisions about Medicare Part D coverage. To download the tip sheet visit http://www.ana.org/news/medicaretips.pdf.
2. NEW STUDY EXAMINES IMPACT OF NURSE-PATIENT RATIOS LAW IN CALIFORNIA. According to a new study published in the August 2005 issue of the journal Policy, Politics & Nursing Practice, nurse staffing levels have increased significantly in California hospitals following implementation of that state's landmark legislation requiring nurse-patient staffing ratios. This evaluation of California's ratios law-was written by a team of researchers headed by Nancy E. Donaldson, DNSc, RN, FAAN, of the University of California, San Francisco. The researchers are affiliated with the California Nursing Outcomes Coalition (CalNOC), which collects and analyzes data on nurse staffing and outcomes from participating hospitals. In 1999, California became the first state in the nation to enact legislation requiring hospitals to meet minimum staffing standards, limiting the numbers of patients that registered nurses (RNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs--known in most other states as licensed practical nurses) may care for at any one time. That legislation, AB 394, charged the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) with determining those staffing standards. CDHS regulations implementing the new ratios requirements went into effect in January 2004. The bill's proponents cited a growing body of research linking nurse staffing levels and positive patient care outcomes. In the study, Donaldson's team examined staffing and outcomes data from 268 medical-surgical and step-down units in 68 hospitals. They found that mean total RN hours of care per patient day increased by 20.8% in medical-surgical units and that the number of patients per RN decreased by 17.5%. Despite concerns that hospitals might seek to meet the ratios requirements by increasing their use of LVNs (since the regulations permit the complement of licensed nurses to include up to 50% LVNs), this did not occur. Similarly, there was no significant increase in use of contracted nursing staff (i.e., nurses supplied by outside staffing agencies or registries). Staffing in step-down units did not increase significantly. The authors found no significant changes in the incidence of patient falls or the prevalence of pressure ulcers (bedsores), but they emphasized the preliminary nature of these findings and the limitations of the study, concluding that more research would be needed to determine the effect of mandatory staffing ratios on patient outcomes. For more information regarding this study visit, https://www.calnoc.org/globalPages/mainpage.aspx.
3. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS SUFFERING FROM MEDICAID CUTS, GROWTH IN UNINSURED. According to an article posted on the Modern Healthcare web site, a new study from the National Association of Community Health Centers explains that cutbacks to Medicaid as well as a growth in the number of uninsured and in healthcare costs pose significant challenges to the country's community health centers. There are more than 1,000 such centers providing care to 15 million patients nationally, according to the association. From 2001 to 2003, operating margins at community health centers dropped from 1.3% to 0.5% before improving to 0.9% last year, according to the study. Cuts by many states in their Medicaid programs have resulted in a drop in the number of Medicaid beneficiaries served in community health centers. But the number of uninsured patients treated at such facilities grew to 40.1% from 38.9% between 2001 and 2004, authors of the study said. In 2004, community health centers provided $1.6 billion in uncompensated care, double the figure in 1999. Meanwhile, healthcare costs per patient for community centers grew by 34.7% between 1999 and 2004, though that still trailed the growth rate for all providers, 40.4%. For more information visit www.modernhealthcare.com or http://www.nachc.com.
4. REMAKING AMERICAN MEDICINE. The American Nurses Association (ANA) has partnered with 40 national organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Hospital Association (AHA) on a public outreach campaign focused on improving health care across the nation. The campaign, Remaking American Medicine...Health Care for the 21st Century, includes a four-part primetime series on PBS premiering in April 2006. The series will tell the stories of individuals and institutions struggling to address the significant problems that now plague our health care system. A web site created for the campaign, www.RAMcampaign.org, includes a searchable database, "Connect with Others" that provides descriptions and contact information for local and regional coalitions that will be undertaking a wide range of outreach activities such as town hall meetings and local programming initiatives in support of the series.
5. FDA ISSUING MORE WARNINGS FOR MEDICATONS; APPROVAL TIMES SLOWER IN LIGHT OF RECENT CRITICISM. According to an article posted on the Kaisernetwork.com web site, an article in The New York Times examined how FDA officials in recent months have "issued a blizzard of drug-safety warnings" and slowed approval times for new medications in response to criticism about prescription drug safety oversight at the agency. FDA currently is "issuing twice the number of public advisories about drug risks as it did a year ago" and about five times as many black box warnings for prescription drug labels, according to the Times. In addition, FDA took almost twice as long to approve new medications in the first six months of 2005 compared with the same period last year. According to the Times, FDA, which previously had "avoided issuing disturbing warnings about drugs unless studies proved that a risk was certain," has begun to issue them "even when problems are only suspected." However, the revised practices have "done little to mollify" the critics of FDA, and the practices have received criticism from physicians who maintain "the agency's vague warnings and confusing advice mean that doctors are not getting the information they need to avoid problems but will get blamed for them anyway," the Times reports. In addition, pharmaceutical companies maintain that the warnings have led to decreased sales of their medications. Some experts also have raised concerns that the high number of warnings issued by FDA could prompt patients to "stop paying attention," the Times reports. FDA officials rejected the criticism. "Maybe we're not being overly cautious, but instead trying to be responsive," Scott Gottlieb, FDA deputy commissioner, said (Harris, New York Times, 8/6).
6. NEW RESEARCH FINDS ONE IN THREE UNINSURED CHILDREN HAD NO MEDICAL CARE FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. One-third (32.9 percent) of uninsured children in America went without medical care for an entire year, a new report shows. Conversely, nearly 88 percent of their insured counterparts received care during the same period. Even uninsured kids who received medical care did not always see a doctor when they needed one. Uninsured children were 10 times more likely not to receive the medical care they needed, compared to children who have insurance (6.2 percent versus 0.65 percent). These and other findings of Going Without: America's Uninsured Children were released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) during a kick-off event for the Covering Kids & Families Back-to-School Campaign, a nationwide effort to enroll eligible children in public coverage programs during the back-to-school season. Parents of uninsured children can call toll-free 1(877) KIDS-NOW to find out if their children are eligible for low-cost or free health care coverage. For more information visit, www.coveringkidsandfamilies.org.
7. COALITION PROPOSES ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO SPEED NURSE IMMIGRATION. According to an article published in the American Hospital Association's (AHA) newletter, AHA News Now, the AHA and 10 other organizations requested meetings with the State and Homeland Security departments to discuss changes to their administrative policies and processes that could help health care organizations address a chronic shortage of health care professionals. "As Congress begins to debate longer-term immigration reform, the nursing shortage is a critical current problem and any provisions that might be included in legislation could take years to implement," the coalition of health care providers, nurse leaders, nurse staffing and educational concerns wrote the department secretaries. "In the meantime, your departments can take immediate administrative steps to speed the flow of highly qualified foreign nurses. We believe that while it now takes as much as two years to bring a qualified nurse from abroad, administrative changes alone could reduce this time to under six months."
AONE ISSUES 2006 CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. PLEASE RESPOND TODAY! AONE president-elect Kathy Sanford, DBA, FACHE, RN, invites all AONE members to consider volunteering for one of several AONE committees and task forces during 2006. The 2006 Call for Volunteers has been posted on the AONE Web site, and you can submit an application either online or by downloading the application form. You can also request a copy by sending an email to aone@aha.org. If you are interested in serving on a 2006 committee or task force, please complete the application and return it to AONE no later than October 1, 2005. Your application will be given thoughtful consideration. Questions can be directed to AONE chief executive officer Pamela Thompson, MS, RN, FAAN, at pthompson@aha.org.
AONE FALL CONFERENCE RAPIDLY APPROACHING: "ADAPTATIONS FOR AN AGING WORKFORCE" (September 23-24, 2005- Indianapolis, IN) The aging of America's nursing workforce is forcing healthcare organizations to design and implement new policies and practices for not only nurse recruitment and retention, but also facility design, ergonomics and employee benefits. Attend this landmark event and take away new ideas for investing in your experienced nursing workforce today in order to retain them tomorrow. You'll also learn how you can use new architectural design practices and ergonomics to design and implement new patient care environments that not only enhance patient safety, but also keep mature nurses at the bedside. This Conference is co-sponsored by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Click here for more information and to register online. For information on exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities, contact Veronika Oven at voven@aha.orgor (202) 626-2274.
AONE PUBLISHES POSITION STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY. AONE has announced the publication of a position statement on diversity, which was approved by the AONE Board of Directors at its meeting last month. "Diversity and all of its implications are vital in making our work environments healthful places to practice and provide patient care, and diversity is one of the vital lenses that AONE looks through to help guide our decision making and governance," said AONE president Marilyn Bowcutt, MSN, RN. "My deepest thanks and appreciation go to the AONE Diversity Council and the AONE staff for their leadership, boldness, and spirit. My hope is that all of our members and affiliates will exhibit the courage to engage their constituencies in courageous dialogues on diversity." The AONE position statement on diversity can be viewed at http://www.aone.org/aone/advocacy/position_statements.html.
AONE EDUCATION CALENDAR
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Dates
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Event
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For More Information
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September 9
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Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives
Fall Quarterly Meeting
Leominster, MA
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www.massone.org
(781) 272-3500
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September 14-15
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"Transforming Health Professional Education: Core Competencies, Microsystems and New Training Venues"
Joint Commission Resources
Rosemont, IL
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www.jcrinc.com
(877) 223-6866
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September 15
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"Creating Palliative Care Pathways Through Hospital-Hospice Partnerships"
Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC)
Audio Web Conference
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www.capc.org
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September 14-16
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12th Annual Northwest Organization of Nurse
Executives (NWONE) Northwest Regional
Nursing Leadership Retreat and 2005 NWONE Annual Fall Membership Meeting
Welches, OR
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www.nwone.org
(206) 285-0102
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September 19
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2005 NCLEX International
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
New Orleans, LA
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www.ncsbn.org
(866) 293-9600
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September 23-24
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"Adaptations for an Aging Workforce"
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Indianapolis, IN
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www.aone.org
(312) 422-2800
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September 29-30
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Tri-Region Conference (Eastern, Southcentral and Southeastern Pennsylvania)
Reading, PA
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www.ponl.org
(717) 703-0034
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October 1-12
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People to People International Fall 2005 Nurse Executives Program in Russia
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www.ambassadorprograms.com
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October 5-7
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Minnesota Organization of Leaders in Nursing
Annual Meeting
Madden's on Gull Lake, Brainerd, MN
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www.moln.org
(651) 633-6475
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October 5-8
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National Nursing Administration Research
Conference
Tucson, AZ
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www.nursing.arizona.edu/narc
(520) 626-7832
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October 9-11
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Nevada Organization of Nurse Leaders
Fall Conference and Business Meeting
"Nevada Centennial: 100 Years of Nursing Leadership"
Tahoe, NV
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www.nonl.org
programs@nonl.org
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October 16-18
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New York Organization of Nurse Executives
Annual Leadership Conference
White Plains, NY
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www.nyone.org
(518) 431-7700
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October 17-19
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Center to Advance Palliative Care
"Building Palliative Care Programs in Hospitals:
Tools and Strategies for Success
San Diego, CA
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www.capc.org
(212) 201-2680
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October 19-21
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Ohio Organization of Nurse Executives
Fall Conference
Newark, OH
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www.ohanet.org
(614) 221-7614
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October 19-21
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Indiana Organization of Nurse Executives
Fall Meeting
Nashville, IN
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www.indianaone.org
(317) 633-4870
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October 20-21
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North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders
Annual Meeting/Fall Conference
Myrtle Beach, SC
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www.nconl.org
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October 20-24
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"Journey to Mastery"
Center for Nursing Leadership
Batesville, IN
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www.cnl.org
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November
3-5
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1st Annual Aspiring Nurse Leaders Workshop
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Baltimore, MD
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www.aone.org
(312) 422-2800
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Here are this week's featured job opportunities:
Administrative Director of Acute Dialysis/Transplant ICU, Memphis, TN
Administrative Director Surgical and Procedural SVCS, Sun City, AZ
Assistant Nurse Manager, Woonsocket, RI NEW!
Associate Director-Behavioral Health Services, Iowa City, IA NEW!
Associate Director of Nursing Services, Tomah, WI
AVP Women's Services & Nursing Profession Practice, Charlotte, NC
Chief Nurse Executive, Red Bank, NJ
Chief Nurse Executive, Arizona
Chief Nursing Executive, Northwest US NEW!
Chief Nursing Officer, Denver, CO
Chief Nursing Officer, Aventura, FL
Chief Nursing Officer, Georgia NEW!
Chief Nursing Officer, Manhasset, NY NEW!
Chief Nursing Officer, Miami FL NEW!
Chief Nursing Officer, South Florida
Chief Nursing Officer, Cheverly, MD
Chief Nursing Officer, Nashville, TN
Chief Nursing Officer, Southeastern Texas
Chief Nursing Officer, Farmville, VA
Chief Nursing Officer/Consultant, Nationwide
Clinical Educator-MSN, Eugene, OR NEW!
Clinical Service Line Director of Women's Services, St. Louis, MO
CNE/Vice President Patient Care Services, Tampa, FL
CNO, Knox, IN
CNO, Lawrenceburg, TN
CNO, Director & Nursing Management Positions, USA NEW!
Corporate - Senior Director of Nursing Operations, Dallas, TX
Director Medical Surgical Nursing Services, Ukiah, CA
Director of Critical Care, Torrance, CA NEW!
Director of Critical Care, Southeastern MA
Director of Emergency Services, New Bedford, MA
Director of Maternal Child Health Services, Erie, PA
Director of Nursing, New York, NY
Director of Quality & Performance Improvement, Columbus, GA
Director of the Center for Women and Children, Plattsburgh, NY
Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Southwest MO
Director Surgical Services, Monroe, WI
Director(s), Nursing Operations, ICU and MedSurg, Midwest
Director, Operating Room Services, Tucson, AZ
Director, Perioperative Services, Fort Wayne, IN
Director-Patient Relations, Grand Rapids, MI
ED Director, Melrose Park, IL
Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Southern Florida
Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Charleston, SC area
Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, North Dallas area, TX
Manager, Med/Surg/Peds, Evanston, IL
Manager, Medical Staff Services and Credentialing, Durham, NC NEW!
Med Surg Director, Las Cruces, NM
Nurse Manager, Hanover, PA and Pontiac, MI
Nurse Manager, Nationwide
Nurse Manager, Woonsocket, RI NEW!
Nurse Manager-Cardiac Surgery ICU, Richmond, VA
Nurse Manager-Emergency Dept., Richmond, VA
Nurse Manager-Medical, Salem, OR NEW!
OR Clinical Nurse Manager, San Francisco, CA NEW!
Patient Care Administrator, Juneau, AK
Patient Care Services Mgr., Greeley, CO
Senior Vice President of Nursing Administraton, Dallas, TX
Unit Director - Orthopedic Unit, Hampton Roads, VA
Vice President, Kansas City Suburb
Vice President, Patient Care and Nurse Executive, Maryland-Chesapeake Bay
Vice President of Patient Care Services, Ashtabula, OH
Vice President, Nursing and Patient Care Services, Newport, RI
Vice President Patient Care Services, Champaign-Urbana, IL NEW!
Vice President, Patient Care Services, St. Louis, MO NEW!
Vice President, Patient Services, Suburban Philadelphia NEW!
Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Southeast, Tri-State Area
Vice President/Chief Nursing Officer, Northeast
VP of Clinical Services, North Carolina
VP of Nursing, Richmond, VA
VP of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA
VP, Clinical Operations, Nashville, TN
Learn about these and and more than 30 additional job opportunities--including CNO and VP-level positions--in the AONE Online Job Center.
Searching for a new nurse leader? Click here to learn how the AONE Online Job Center can help you find the ideal candidate or contact us at aone@aha.org or (312) 422-2800.
Are you looking for a job? Then advertise your resume to prospective employers on the AONE Online Career Center. Just click here to get started. There's no time like the present to find that job you've been dreaming about!
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AONE eNews Update is published by the American Organization of Nurse Executives, One North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60606. For more information about AONE eNews Update, contact David Strickland at dstrickland@aha.org or (312) 422-2815.
A complimentary subscription to AONE eNews Update is available to any nurse leader. Send an email to aone@aha.org providing your name, title, organization, mailing address and email address. Subscriptions are granted at AONE's discretion, and we reserve the right to refuse any subscription request.
If you wish to change your email address or end your subscription, send an email message to pwashington@aha.org and be sure to include your name and e-mail address.
This service is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute the rendering of legal, financial, or other professional advice by the American Organization of Nurse Executives. Although AONE eNews Update includes links providing direct access to Internet sites other than the AONE web site, AONE takes no responsibility for the content or information contained on those other sites, and does not exert any editorial or other control over those other sites. Broadcast e-mail advertisements or other communication launched from this communication are strictly prohibited.
Copyright © 2005 by the American Organization of Nurse Executives. All rights reserved.
AONE is a registered trademark of the American Organization of Nurse Executives. The opinions expressed in AONE eNews Update are not necessarily those of the American Organization of Nurse Executives or the American Hospital Association.
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