May 2016 Vol. 11 No. 5 Archives

May 2016 Vol. 11 No. 5

Antibiotic stewardship for staff nurses

May 11, 2016

Over the past decade, antibiotic resistance has increased and spread dramatically throughout the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic use is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance. The…

Antimicrobial stewardship and you

May 25, 2016

The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will cause as many as 10 million deaths globally. Not only does AMR lead to increased mortality; it also lengthens hospital stays and drives up…

At CHI, nurse board leadership is embedded in the culture

May 25, 2016

Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a nonprofit, faith-based health system, has a longstanding commitment to nurse leadership in the boardroom. Based in Englewood, Colorado, CHI is one of the nation’s largest healthcare systems, with 105 hospitals plus…

Attaining a culturally congruent practice

May 17, 2016

Patient-centered, holistic care is something that nurses are taught about early and are expected to strive for every day. Yet we can’t truly practice safe, patient-centered care if…

Caring for patients with spinal cord injuries

May 11, 2016

Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs) are a significant cause of disability, with profound—and in many cases devastating— consequences. According to recent data, about 12,000 SCIs occur annually in the United States, and up to 250,000 Americans are living…

Consider a career as a healthcare education simulator

May 25, 2016

Simulations give healthcare professionals and students the opportunity to practice complex skills in realistic settings. According to David Gaba, MD, director of the Center for Immersive and Simulation-Based Learning at Stanford University School of Medicine, “Simulation is…

FDA approves new treatment for bladder cancer

May 19, 2016

On May 18, the U.S. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tecentriq (atezolizumab) to treat urothelial carcinoma. Read more

Five strategies to help prevent nurses’ patient-handling injuries

May 18, 2016

For too many years, musculoskeletal injuries from moving patients have been common among practicing nurses. It’s time to put all of our energy— both from an individual and organizational perspective—into prevention. Here are…

How to recognize delirium in pediatric patients

May 16, 2016

A syndrome of acute brain dysfunction, delirium causes observable changes in behavior. A hallmark of delirium is a disturbance of consciousness and cognition, with inattention that develops acutely and fluctuates over time. (See Understanding diagnostic criteria…

Improving outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma

May 25, 2016

Over the last decade, progress in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment has extended survival with good quality of life. We’ve increased our understanding of how the genetic features of…

Improving your coaching skills

May 17, 2016

Susan is a seasoned nurse on a telemetry unit. One day, she arrives 20 minutes late, without explanation, to a mock code that the unit clinical educator is…

Is utilization review the career for you?

May 25, 2016

Rising medical costs and healthcare reform have increased the need for careful review and management of medical resources. The unique and vital role of the utilization review (UR) nurse serves this need.…

Making a difference for patients through culturally congruent care

May 17, 2016

Regardless of the healthcare setting, a registered nurse (RN) in 2016 is likely to encounter patients with culturally diverse beliefs and practices about health, wellness, and illness. Respecting…

May 2016 Vol. 11 No. 5

May 16, 2016

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New TB test safe, effective

May 19, 2016

A new skin test for tuberculosis (TB), C-Tb, is safe, easy to administer, and accurate, according to results from two Phase III clinical trials reported at the ATS…

Patient handling injuries: Risk factors and risk-reduction strategies

May 18, 2016

For more than 40 years, nurses have had the highest jobrelated injury rates of all healthcare personnel. In a 2011 survey conducted by the American Nurses Association: • 62% of nurses expressed concerns about…

Pregabalin may increase risk of birth defects

May 19, 2016

Pregabalin may increase the risk of major birth defects according to a study in Neurology. Read more and read the study abstract.

Rapid Response: Fat embolism threatens a patient’s life

May 20, 2016

Jorge Valencia, age 27, is admitted to the medical-surgical unit after surgical reduction and fixation of a displaced, compound right femoral fracture—an injury he sustained in a car…

Safe patient handling and mobility: The journey continues

May 18, 2016

Hazards associated with manual patient handling continue to compromise the health and safety of nurses. Among nurses who responded to the American Nurses Association’s (ANA’s) Health Risk Appraisal: • 42% believe they are…

Safeguarding patients: The courageous communication solution

May 17, 2016

Preventable medical errors account for 440,000 deaths each year and are the third leading cause of death in the United States. According to The Joint Commission, communication failure is the…

Shared calling: Then and now

May 11, 2016

May is a wonderful month, with so many celebrations to enjoy and share, including Mother’s Day, National Nurses Week, Florence Nightingale’s birthday, Armed Forces Day, and Memorial Day.…

The doorway assessment: Reducing anxiety and promoting critical thinking in nursing students

May 25, 2016

As a clinical instructor, I’m aware of my enormous responsibilities—to imbue nursing students with knowledge, teach them nursing skills, help them hone their critical thinking ability, and acculturate them to the profession by conveying what…

The shape of things to come

May 11, 2016

It’s a grim prediction, but healthcare organizations are headed for stormy days. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was supposed to solve the problem of poor access to healthcare for most Americans. Signed into law…

To Q or not to Q: Engaging students in quality and safety in nursing education

May 25, 2016

Every nursing student should strive to make a positive difference in health care. Through will, ideas, and execution, QStudent was created as a new component to the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) Institute.…