A kinder, gentler workplaceJuly 8, 2016According to an analysis in the May 2016 issue of BMJ, medical errors in U.S. healthcare facilities are incredibly common and are now the third leading cause of death—more than respiratory…
A summer of learningJuly 7, 2016The period from Memorial Day to Labor Day is a special time—a stretch of (ideally) sunny days when school is out and vacation time becomes a priority. In a typical year,…
Boost your career with community outreach involvementJuly 15, 2016Does patient teaching energize you? Could you see yourself leading a hula hoop contest to motivate children to exercise? Do you enjoy working with patients and professionals who appreciate your contributions? If you…
Collaboration: The key to healthcare transformationJuly 15, 2016Transforming health care is a complex challenge that can best be met through a coordinated response from academia and clinical practice. Working together, chief nursing officers (CNOs) and academic leaders ensure that clinicians…
Fall prevention: Applying the evidenceJuly 11, 2016This is the first in a series of three case studies illustrating success stories in preventing falls and injuries from falls. The series is brought to you by Posey.…
FDA approvals—July 11-12, 2016July 14, 2016On July 12, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) for the treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. Read more …
FDA approves extended depth-of-focus IOLJuly 21, 2016On July 15, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tecnis Symfony intraocular lens (IOL), the first IOL that provides cataract patients with an extended depth-of-focus, which helps…
FDA approves first absorbable stent for CADJuly 7, 2016On July 5, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first fully absorbable stent to treat coronary artery disease (CAD): Absorb GT1 Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold System (BVS).…
Frailty syndrome: A weakly addressed problemJuly 11, 2016Fran Covington, age 82, has a history of cardiovascular disease, chronic diastolic heart failure, type 2 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She lives at home with her husband and enjoys gardening and visiting with…
Helping patients who harm themselvesJuly 6, 2016Why would someone deliberately hurt herself? The notion might seem odd—but as a nurse, you may encounter patients with signs of selfinjury (also called cutting, selfinflicted violence, self-harm, or self-mutilation). Cutting the skin is the most…
High omega 3 intake after diagnosis may lower risk of bowel cancer deathJuly 21, 2016A high dietary intake of omega 3 fatty acids, derived from oily fish, may help to lower the risk of death from bowel cancer in patients, according to…
High stakes in the U.S. House and SenateJuly 7, 2016While the 2016 presidential campaign continues to dominate headlines, the outcome of critical races in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate could dramatically alter Washington’s political landscape. Through your advocacy and engagement, registered…
Hyponatremia signals acute adrenal insufficiencyJuly 6, 2016Maryann Ward, age 56, is admitted to the chest pain unit. Sara, her nurse, finds her alert and oriented. Mrs. Ward tells Sara her chest pain started yesterday. When assessing her, Sara…
Implementation science: A framework for integrating evidence-based practiceJuly 11, 2016Implementation science is the study of methods that promote integration of research findings and evidence into healthcare policy and practice. It addresses the challenge of moving health research innovations to practice more quickly,…
Later onset of menstruation, menopause may be associated with longer lifeJuly 28, 2016Women who start menstruation and experience menopause later in life may have increased chances of living to be 90, according to a study in Menopause. Read more and access…
Maintaining clinical competency is your responsibilityJuly 15, 2016Healthcare consumers expect competency from the nurses who care for them—and registered nurses (RNs) have an ethical and legal responsibility to maintain their competency. The scope of the professional nurse evolves continuously to adjust to the…
Medical alert: Delirium do’s and don’tsJuly 8, 2016Delirium is a state of confusion and altered level of consciousness that comes on suddenly and lasts for hours or even weeks before resolving. A serious and often deadly medical condition, it…
Medical marijuana lowers prescription drug useJuly 7, 2016Legalized medical marijuana saved Medicare $165.2 million in 2013 by lowering prescription drug use, according to a study in Health Affairs. Read more and access the abstract.
Olanzapine for chemo-related nausea and vomitingJuly 21, 2016Compared with placebo, olanzapine significantly improves nausea prevention in patients treated with emetogenic chemotherapy, according to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine. Read more
Reducing readmissions in in COPD patientsJuly 6, 2016A preventable and treatable lung disorder of adults, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of hospitalizations and readmissions. It affects 15 million Americans; nearly one in five hospital patients older than age…
Secondary postpartum hemorrhage: Risk factors, assessment, and interventionJuly 6, 2016Jayne Kennedy, a 35-year-old, gravida 2, para 2, is admitted to the emergency department with heavy vaginal bleeding. Two weeks earlier, she’d delivered an infant by a repeat…
Secondhand marijuana smoke may damage blood vesselsJuly 28, 2016Rats’ blood vessels take at least three times longer to recover function after a minute of breathing secondhand marijuana smoke, compared to recovery after a minute of breathing…
Smoothing your transition from RN to NPJuly 15, 2016Transitioning to the nurse practitioner (NP) role is exciting—but it can also be stressful. Fortunately, taking certain steps can make it smoother. I’m a family NP (FNP), board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing…
Stepping up to prevent antibiotic resistance, manage emerging diseasesJuly 7, 2016Since microorganisms were first linked to infectious diseases centuries ago, scientists and healthcare practitioners have been waging a war to stop the spread of pathogens that lead to potentially fatal infections and illnesses. Over…
Stroke patients get faster treatment at endovascular centersJuly 28, 2016Stroke patients who go directly to an endovascular center could receive treatment 99 minutes earlier, according to a new study presented at the Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery’s (SNIS)…
Switching to pill organizer can put older people at risk for adverse effectsJuly 7, 2016Older people who switch to using pill organizers could experience adverse effects and even hospitalization, according to a study in Health Technology Assessment. Read more and read the study…
The will to live – and living wellJuly 15, 2016Groucho Marx said, “Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.” When we mentioned this to a friend of ours, he retorted, “Yes—and life is the chief cause of death!” In writing…
Urinary tract symptoms in nursesJuly 14, 2016Lower urinary tract symptoms are a “significant issue” among female nurses, according to a systematic review published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing. Read more
Your path to becoming an administrative supervisorJuly 15, 2016Naomi, a novice staff nurse, calls her administrative supervisor, Madelyn, for assistance with Selma Rice, an 84-year-old patient who has pulled out her I.V. line and wants to leave against medical advice (AMA).…
Zika virus: Dispelling the mythsJuly 7, 2016Since its emergence, Zika virus has been a source of concern and confusion for many people worldwide, particularly in today’s era of instant messaging and misinformation. However, because nurses spend more time with…
Helping patients who harm themselvesBy: Renee N. Bauer, PhD, MS, RN; Erik P. Southard, DNP, FNP-BC, CME; and Andreas M. Kummerow, MS, RN, CNE
