From the ANA Smartbrief--Interesting Articles

CDC report shows increase in hospitalizations for sepsis
Hospitalizations for blood poisoning have more than doubled, according to CDC researchers who evaluated admissions data in the U.S. from 2000 to 2008. Two-thirds of the cases were in patients 65 and older, according to the report. The findings highlight the need for immediate treatment of suspected blood infections even without concrete diagnosis, said Margaret Jean Hall of the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. MSNBC (6/21)

Okay, so how many hospitals now have sepsis specialists and core measure to identify and aggressively treat sepsis? Maybe the procedures and heightened awarenes is working.

ANA asks lawmakers to give home health care authority to APRNs
The ANA is supporting federal legislation that would authorize advanced practice registered nurses to approve home health care plans and provide home health benefit certification to Medicare patients. "This legislation will improve access to care," said ANA President Karen A. Daley. "In order to meet our nation's health care needs, an integrated, national health care workforce that optimizes utilization of all qualified providers must be put into action." Nurse.com (6/22)


Maybe Florida can jump on this bandwagon and also give ARNP's the ability to prescribe all narcotics..And catch up with the rest of the nation...

Severe constipation could help ID women at risk of heart disease
Women with chronic severe constipation are more likely to develop clogged arteries, have a heart attack or stroke, or die of heart disease, compared with women without the condition, according to a long-term study of 73,000 women. However, other factors might explain the link, and only a small percentage of women suffered severe constipation, said the lead researcher in the study, which was published in the American Journal of Medicine. Reuters (6/22)

Okay, so this is almost funny if it does not make you sad...How being full of it can cause you to have a compromised heart and brain...LOL...

Nights, long shifts put patient, provider safety at risk
Two studies presented at a sleep conference found physicians and nurses who work overnights or extra-long shifts can suffer from sleep deprivation, putting patient safety at risk and raising their own chances of getting into a car accident on the way home. About one-third of critical care nurses who responded to a Canadian survey said they always felt tired and reported feelings of irritability and forgetfulness as well. Medscape (free registration) (6/21)

Okay, so maybe more states should encourage the Cat Nap for their staff, instead of threatening termination...Again LOL