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October 21, 2005
This week's issue of AONE eNews Update is made possible in part by the support of API Software, Inc.
1. Senate Panel OKs More Visas for Health Care Workers.
2. Wisconsin Legislature Considering Mandatory Overtime Legislation.
3. NY State Nurses Association Reports on RN Staffing in NYC Public Hospitals.
4. Two-Year Project Improves Patient Safety in Michigan Hospital ICUs.
5. Florida Hospital Reduces Worker Injuries and Costs Through Lift Program.
6. AHA Report Details Challenges Facing Community Hospitals.
7. Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Launches Quality Initiative.
8. Most Americans Satisfied with Quality of Health Care, But Do Not Link Cost to Quality.
AONE News and Resources
AONE Online Career Center
1. SENATE PANEL OKs MORE VISAS FOR HEALTH CARE WORKERS. The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday adopted budget reconciliation legislation that would immediately increase the number of visas available to foreign nurses and other health care professionals in short supply in the U.S. The bill would "recapture" 90,000 congressionally-authorized but previously unused employment-based visas (so-called "EB-3" visas), for which nurses and other health care professionals qualify. Those visas would be in addition to the 50,000 reclaimed visas for foreign nurses and physical therapists that Congress approved last May. The measure would exempt family members of visa holders from the numerical cap on visas, in effect more than doubling the total number of available EB-3 visas for skilled professionals. It also would recapture 30,000 previously unused H-1B temporary visas, available to physicians, physical and occupational therapists and certain other health care professionals other than nurses. The Judiciary Committee included the visa measure in legislation that achieves $300 million in five-year budget savings -- the panel's portion of the overall $35 billion in savings from federal programs required under the FY 2006 congressional budget resolution. The American Hospital Association has urged the committee to pass the visa measure to help address serious staff shortages. (SOURCE: AHA News Now, October 21, 2005)
2. WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE CONSIDERING MANDATORY OVERTIME LEGISLATION. The Wisconsin state legislature is considering legislation that would ban mandatory overtime for nurses except in cases of unforeseen emergencies. It would prevent facilities from requiring nurses and other staff involved in direct patient care from working more than eight, 10 or 12 hours in a day, or more than 40 hours per week. The legislation has the support of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and the SEIU Wisconsin State Council. (SOURCE: Janesville Gazette, October 13, 2005)
3. NY STATE NURSES ASSOCIATION REPORTS ON RN STAFFING IN NYC PUBLIC HOSPITALS. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) released a report this week that documents a "chronic shortage" of RNs in hospitals operated by New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation. "We estimate that HHC has more than 1,000 nurse vacancies throughout their system," said Lorraine Seidel, director of the collective bargaining program at NYSNA, which represents the nurses at HHC facilities. The report shows that more than 40% of newly hired RNs leave the public hospitals before completing three years of service. Also, 23% of the current nursing workforce is 55 or older, and 22% have 20 or more years of service. In the next five years, HHC needs to replace more than 50% of its current total nursing staff just to maintain current staffing levels, according to the report. NYSNA has called on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to improve patient safety throughout the system with several steps, including the implementation of nurse-patient ratios and improving RN salaries.
4. TWO-YEAR PROJECT IMPROVES PATIENT SAFETY IN MICHIGAN HOSPITAL ICUs. A two-year project to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety in Michigan hospital intensive care units has had positive results, according to project results released last week by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association's (MHA) Keystone Center for Patient Safety & Quality and patient safety experts from The Johns Hopkins University Quality & Safety Research Group. More than 120 ICUs and 70 hospitals participated in the project. Using data collected between March 2004 and June 2005, project leaders estimated that 1,578 patient lives, more than 81,000 hospital days, and more than $165 million were saved. Among other results, hospitals participating in the project have reduced central IV line infections by nearly 50 percent, and 68 of the 127 participating ICUs have reported zero bloodstream infections or ventilator-associated pneumonia for six months or more.
5. FLORIDA HOSPITAL REDUCES WORKER INJURIES AND COSTS THROUGH LIFT PROGRAM. Tampa General Hospital has reduced its costs for staff injuries incurred in lifting and moving patients from more than $500,000 to only $26,000 in five years through its innovative injury prevention program, even as its staff grew by 20 percent during that time. Its Lift Team, comprised of 12 specially trained staff, responds to nurse and therapist requests to move a patient. Portable ceiling slings and other equipment are used to move the patient without injury to either staff or the patient. Nurses and therapists can be disciplined if they attempt to handle obese or incapacitated patients who should be moved by the Lift Team. The hospital has also trained all staff on how to avoid back injuries and ensures that there is adequate staffing at all times for the team. (SOURCE: Tampa Tribune, October 20, 2005)
6. AHA REPORT DETAILS CHALLENGES FACING COMMUNITY HOSPITALS. America's hospitals are in a fragile state, facing rising demand and constrained capacity, according to a new report released this week by the American Hospital Association (AHA). The report, entitled "The State of America's Hospitals: Taking the Pulse," reflects the responses from a 2005 survey of hospital leaders. Among the challenges faced by hospitals are a growing workforce shortage; increasing professional liability insurance costs; increases in hospital spending on pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and devices; and a growing number of physician-owned limited service facilities. "A healthy and vibrant hospital is the key to a healthy community," said AHA President Dick Davidson. "This report paints a clear picture of the difficult environment many hospitals face as they continue their mission of caring for their communities. Every day, we're working with government and others in health care to address these challenges and to ensure that the quality health care hospitals deliver remains available to the patients we serve."
7. BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES NEW QUALITY INITIATIVE. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) has announced the launch of a new national Network Hospital Measurement pilot program that will provide quarterly performance reports to hospitals and employers. The reports will be based on publicly available clinical measures from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations as well as patient safety indicator measures from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The pilot adopts 18 established evidence-based performance measurements, such as the administration of aspirin to heart attack patients and smoking cessation counseling for pneumonia patients. Eighteen Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, representing more than 80 percent of the 93 million subscribers, are participating in the program.
8. MOST AMERICANS SATISFIED WITH QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE, BUT DO NOT LINK COST TO QUALITY. A majority of Americans are well satisfied with the quality of care personally received during the last two years, but tend to view cost as one of the least important factors when considering health care quality, according to the 2005 Health Confidence Survey (HCS). Almost six in 10 Americans are extremely or very satisfied with the quality of care, says the 8th annual HCS, released this week by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Mathew Greenwald & Associates. The survey notes that Americans' satisfaction with health care recovered from a slight dip in 2004, but it found that only about one-quarter of them were satisfied with the cost of health coverage. An even smaller number were satisfied with the cost of health care services not covered by insurance. "Satisfaction with health care quality is high, but few are happy about the cost of health care," said EBRI president Dallas Salisbury. "Beyond that, the survey appears to confirm the notion that Americans tend to leave cost out of the equation when considering health care quality."
AONE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES SPECIAL TOPIC RESEARCH SEED GRANTS FOR 2006. The AONE Institute for Patient Care Research and Education has announced a call for proposals for three special topic research grants. One grant will be awarded in each of the following areas: care of the elderly (sponsored by The John A. Hartford Foundation Institute for Geriatric Nursing), patient safety (sponsored by McKesson) and evidence-based practice (sponsored by Cerner Corporation). The deadline for submission is Friday, December 16, 2005. Visit the Institute Web site for further information and the application.
The AONE Institute is also awarding up to four grants in 2006 for research projects in nursing administration. Visit www.aone.org/aone/institute/seedgrant.html for more information.
AONE INSTITUTE 2006 AWARD & RECOGNITION PROGRAM APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE. It's that time of year again to nominate outstanding AONE nurse leaders for recognition! The AONE Institute for Patient Care Research and Education's Award & Recognition Program is an annual event honoring nurses whose accomplishments in the areas of leadership, service and scholarship are worthy of AONE's highest recognition and celebration. Award and scholarship recipients will be honored at the 2006 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando. All applications and nominations must be received by AONE no later than Monday, December 12, 2005. Visit the AONE Web site for more information and the application form.
AONE EDUCATION CALENDAR
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Dates
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Event
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For More Information
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| October 30 |
Virginia Organization of Nurse Executives
Fall Meeting
Richmond, VA
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www.virginiaone.org |
| November 3-4 |
Hawaii Organization of Nurse Executives Annual Dinner and Conference
Honolulu, HI |
millerc003@hawaii.rr.com
(808) 956-5429 |
| November 3-5 |
Aspiring Nurse Leaders Workshop
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Baltimore, MD - SOLD OUT
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www.aone.org
(312) 422-2800 |
| December 9 |
Massachusetts Organization of Nurse Executives
Winter Quarterly Meeting
Burlington, MA
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www.massone.org
(781) 272-3500 |
| January 12-15, 2006 |
Aspiring Nurse Leaders Workshop
American Organization of Nurse Executives
Scottsdale, AZ |
www.aone.org
(312) 422-2800 |
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January 22-26, 2006
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14th Annual Midwestern Institute for Nursing Leadership
Illinois Organization of Nurse Leaders
Evanston, IL
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www.ionl.org
(847) 251-1400, x0
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Here are this week's featured job opportunities:
Assistant Vice President, Clinical Services, Stratford, NJ
Associate Director/Director, H*Works, Washington, DC
Associate Vice President/Director of Nursing, Southern California
Branch Director, Various Locations
Care Coordinator/NP, Augusta, GA--
Chief Clinical Officer/CNO/COO/DON, Los Angeles area, CA NEW!
Chief Nurse Executive, Arizona
Chief Nurse Executive, Northern Virginia
Chief Nursing Executive, Sacramento, CA
Chief Nursing Officer, Aventura, FL
Chief Nursing Officer, Perry, FL--
Chief Nursing Officer, St. Petersburg, FL
Chief Nursing Officer, Augusta, GA
Chief Nursing Officer, Elgin, IL
Chief Nursing Officer, Overland Park, KS
Chief Nursing Officer, St. Louis, MO
Chief Nursing Officer, Miami, FL
Chief Nursing Officer (Hospital), South Carolina
Chief Nursing Officer, Houston, TX
Chief Nursing Officer, Richmond, VA
Children's Hospital Director of Nursing, Madison, WI--
Clinical Director Cardiac Services, Flushing, NY NEW!
Clinical Director of Geriatric Services, South Central Indiana--
Clinical Director of Orthopedics, South Central Indiana--
Clinical Educator-MSN, Eugene, OR
Clinical Manager Surgical/Oncology, Longview, WA--
Clinical Nurse Specialist-ER, Augusta, GA
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Kennett Square, PA NEW!
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Midwest--
CNO, Arizona--
CNO - Chief Nursing Officer, Los Alamos, NM
Director - Emergency Services, Nashville, TN
Director Care Management, Augusta, GA--
Director Medical and Surgical Nursing Services, Texarkana, TX
Director of Evidence Based Practice, High Point, NC
Director of Medical Surgical Services, St. Louis, MO
Director of Nursing Education and Development, Madison, WI
Director of Nursing Operations, Nationwide
Director of Patient Care Services - Sun Valley, Ketchum, ID RE-POSTED!
Director of Professional Practice, Chicago, IL
Director of Quality & Performance Improvement, Columbus, GA
Director, Care Coordination, Greensboro, NC
Director, Emergency Department, Central New Jersey
Director, Hospice Clinical Services, Tucson, AZ
Director, Med/Surg, Duluth, MN
Director, Medical Management, Elk Ridge, MD
Director, Perioperative Services, Fort Wayne, IN
Director, Surgical Services/Service Line Executive, Detroit, MI NEW!
Emergency Department Director, Puyallup, WA
Executive Director, Illinois
Executive Director, Milwaukee, WI NEW!
Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Houston, TX
Interim Nursing Leaders - Immediate Availability
Nurse Manager, Nashville, TN
Nurse Manager, Rapid Admit Unit, Wilmington, NC
Nurse Manager, Rehabilitation, Springfield, IL
Nurse Managers, Nationwide
Nursing Director - Adult Care, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Nursing Services Manager/CNO/DON, Greater Stockton, CA area NEW!
OR Nurse Manager, Knoxville, TN NEW!
Patient Care Director - Psych, Northern VA/Suburban Washington, DC
Perioperative Services Administrator, Utica, NY
Risk Management Analyst, Scottsdale, AZ NEW!
Senior Clinical Director--Emergency Department, Cincinnati, OH--
Senior Director of Nursing, Rockville, MD NEW!
Service Line Director of Emergency Services, Phoenix, AZ
Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Concord, NC--
Vice President for Patient Care Services, Michigan--
Vice President for Patient Care Services, Camp Hill, PA
Vice President for Patient Care Services/CNO, Pittsburgh (vicinity), PA
Vice President, Health Services, Houston, TX NEW!
Vice President, Patient Care Services, Aurora, IL
Vice President Patient Care , Arcadia, FL
Vice President - Patient Care Services, Cleveland, OH NEW!
Learn about these and and more than 40 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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