Technology / Equipment

‘Tis the season…to immunize

For many nurses, August is a whirlwind of back-to-school activity. And it’s not just the crunch of shopping for school supplies, new clothes, or that elusive trendy lunch…

A new oral anticoagulant hits the market

Pradaxa gives clinicians a new tool for preventing strokes and blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation. Learn how it works, who’s eligible to receive it, and how…

AHRQ releases Spanish medication tracking tool

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released a newly revised Spanish language medication tracking tool, “Su medicamento: Infórmese. Evite riesgos.” (“Your Medicine: Be Smart. Be Safe.”).…

ANA Immunize resource

Click to visit www.anaimmunize.org, the American Nurses Association’s online immunization resource.
climate

Best practices for seasonal influenza immunization

Seasonal influenza and influenza-related complications are the most frequent causes of death from a vaccine preventable disease in the United States. In 2006, the February 24 Morbidity and…

Counterfeit surgical mesh

On March 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about counterfeit surgical mesh being distributed under C. R. Bard/Davol brand name. Affected lot numbers are…

Davol XenMatrix Surgical Graft recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified healthcare professionals that several lots of XenMatrix Surgical Graft have been recalled because of elevated endotoxin levels. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm245720.htm.

Detecting cardiac injury with telemetry

With multi-lead telemetry monitoring, a nurse detects dangerous changes in her patient’s heart rhythm, permitting quick action before an acute MI does permanent damage.

Do no harm

Our editor-in-chief tackles the issue of mandatory flu vaccination.

Do you know the schedule for vaccinating children?

Learn how to promote pediatric immunizations in your practice. Part of ANA’s Bringing Immunity to Every Community campaign. this handout stresses the importance of vaccinating children and their…

Drug approval for breast cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Tykerb (lapatinib) in combination with Femara (letrozole) to treat hormone positive and HER2-positive advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women for…

Drug shortages unprecedented says ISMP

The July 29 issue of the Institute for Safe Medication Practice’s ISMP Medication Safety Alert! states that the number of drug shortages in the past few months is…

Drugs Today – November 2008

Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.

Early imaging reduces length of stay

According to the study “Patients Imaged Early During Admission Demonstrate Reduced Length of Hospital Stay: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Patients Undergoing Cross-Sectional Imaging,” the mean length of…

Easing the way for the electronic health record

Pressure is building to develop a national electronic health record – and the nursing profession is playing a pivotal role in developing the standards needed to support it.
Curriculum_Technology

Enhancing nursing curriculum with an injection of technology

Use online tools to engage and motivate students. Evidence-based research has changed teaching from a traditional teacher-centered approach to a student-centered (constructivist) approach. According to neuroscience research, the…

Environment, health, & safey

Help reduce the toll of seasonal influenza by receiving, administering, teaching about, or encouraging seasonal influenza vaccination. This article is available to American Nurses Association members and ANJ…

FDA allows marketing of military dressing

On April 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is allowing marketing of an expandable, multi-sponge wound dressing to control the bleeding from certain types…

FDA approves Afrezza

On June 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder, a rapid-acting inhaled insulin to improve glycemic control in adults with diabetes…

FDA approves Boostrix for older people

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Boostrix vaccine to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in people 65 years and older. Read more.

FDA approves contrast agent for CNS MRI scans

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Gadavist (gadobutrol), a contrast agent for use in patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the central nervous system. Read…

FDA approves drug to reduce risk of preterm birth

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Makena (hydroxyprogesterone caproate) injection to reduce the risk of preterm delivery in pregnant women with a history of at…

FDA approves expanded use of Prevnar vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Prevnar 13, a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine, in people 50 years and older. Read More.

FDA approves Gazyva for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

On Nov. 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for use in combination with chlorambucil to treat patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia.…

FDA approves head lice treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Natroba (spinosad) Topical Suspension 0.9% for the treatment of head lice in patients 4 years and older. Read more at…

FDA approves Marqibo for rare type of leukemia

On Aug. 9, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Marqibo (vincristine sulfate liposome injection) to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).…

FDA approves medical device for epilepsy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a device to help reduce the frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients who have not responded well to medications.…

FDA approves new device for asthma

On April 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first medical device that uses radiofrequency energy to treat severe and persistent asthma in adults. The Alair…

FDA approves new diabetes drug

On March 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Invokana (canagliflozin) tablets to treat adults with type 2 diabetes. Invokana has been studied as a stand-alone…

FDA approves new drug for COPD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved roflumilast, an oral drug that reduces exacerbations from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm244989.htm

FDA approves new drug for lupus

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Benlysta (belimumab) for treatment of lupus. The FDA last approved a drug for lupus in 1955. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm246489.htm.

FDA approves new drug for osteoporosis

On June 1, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Prolia (denosumab), an injectable treatment for postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who are at high risk of fractures.…

FDA approves new drug for schizophrenia

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Latuda (lurasidone HCL) tables for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia. Read more here.

FDA approves new implantable hearing device

On March 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first implantable device for people 18 and older with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss of…

FDA approves new implanted hearing system

On March 17, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of the Esteem, an implanted hearing system for moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss. Read the…

FDA approves new indication for imaging agent

On June 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a new use for Lymphoseek (technetium 99m tilmanocept) Injection, a radioactive diagnostic imaging agent used to help determine…

FDA approves new silicone breast implant

On Feb. 20, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone-Gel Filled Breast Implant for augmentation in women at…

FDA approves new treatment for metastatic melanoma

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Yervoy (ipilimumab) for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm1193237.htm.

FDA approves Perjeta for late-stage breast cancer

On June 8, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Perjeta (pertuzumab), a new anti-HER2 therapy, to treat patients with HER2-positive late-stage breast cancer. Read more.

FDA approves Pomalyst for advanced multiple myeloma

On Feb. 8, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Pomalyst (pomalidomide) to treat patients with multiple myeloma whose disease has progressed after being treated with…

FDA approves Simponi for ulcerative colitis

May 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new use for Simponi (golimumab) injection: to treat adults with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Read more.

FDA approves Synribo for chronic myelogenous leukemia

On Oct. 26, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Synribo (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) for the treatment of adults with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Synribo blocks certain proteins that…

FDA approves test to distinguish between MRSA and MSSA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the first test that can quickly distinguish between methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).…

FDA approves treatment for hereditary angioedema

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Firazyr (icatibant) Injection for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema in people ages 18 years and older.…

FDA approves Xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis

On Nov. 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xeljanz (tofacitinib) to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate…

FDA clears STERIS system

On April 5, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the STERIS System 1E Liquid Chemical Sterilant Processing System. The device is used to process reusable heat-sensitive devices…

FDA expands Zytiga’s use for late-stage breast cancer

On Dec. 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the approved use of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) to treat men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer before receiving chemotherapy.…

FDA halts Avandia trial enrollment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified GlaxoSmithKline that the post-marketing trial of Avandia (rosiglitazone) is on “partial clinical hold,” meaning no new patients can be enrolled…

FDA issues safety communication for HeartStart AEDs

On Nov. 25, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication stating that certain HeartStart automated external defibrillator (AED) devices made by Philips Medical Systems,…

FDA looks to improve medical device review process

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to implement changes in 2011 designed to improve review of medical devices. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm240418.htm.

FDA permits marketing of dengue fever test

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing marketing of the first test to help diagnose people with signs and symptoms of dengue fever. Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm250584.htm.

FDA proposes new policy for some devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a new policy that reduces  premarket notification requirements related to devices that have had their safety and efficacy well…

FDA releases draft guideline related to nanotechnology

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released “Considering Whether an FDA-Regulated Product Involves the Application of Nanotechnology,” a draft guidance document available for comment. The goal is…

FDA warns against Evital

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to take the emergency birth control medicine labeled as Evital, which may not be safe or effective…

Genetic/Genomic Competency Center

The Genetic/Genomic Competency Center (G2C2, http://www.g-2-c-2.org/) is a new free online resource created to help educators teach the next generation of nurses and physician assistants about genetics and…

Get on board the technology express

“Technology: No place for wimps!” —Scott Adams, “Dilbert” cartoonist Technology surrounds us, supports us, and sometimes smothers us. It is indeed no place for wimps. Fortunately, nurses aren’t…

Get Savvy to syncope

Syncope is a common occurrence and is commonly benign. But sometimes a swoon signals a serious underlying condition. Learn what causes syncope and how to assess and intervene…

Improving how we use and respond to clinical alarms

Nuisance alarms, false alarms, and hard-to-identify alarms can imperil patient safety. The author describes ways to manage clinical alarms more efficiently. This article is available to American Nurses…

Innovations in patient-monitoring systems

With Bluetooth devices, system interfaces, and other high-tech advances, clinicians can make more accurate and timely treatment decisions. This article is available to American Nurses Association members and…

Issues up close

With the persistent focus on maintaining high childhood immunization rates, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of adult immunization. But nurses must not allow such lapses…
flu-vaccine

Issues up close

ANA’s “Bringing Immunity to Every Community” campaign aims to boost RNs’ knowledge of immunization, encourage them to get vaccinated, and position them as leading immunization advocates.

Letters to the Editor – November 2008

Easy and inexpensive   Thank you for Susan Fetzer’s excellent article, “Putting a stop to postop nausea and vomiting,” in the August  issue. One treatment that wasn’t mentioned is…

Metronidazole recall announced

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Teva Pharmaceuticals, USA is voluntarily recalling Metronidazole Tablets USP, 250mg, lot 312566, expiration date 05/2012 because “underweight” tablets may…

Microalbumin: Little test, big payoff

The earlier renal disease is detected, the better. That’s why the microalbumin test is so important for patients with certain chronic conditions.

Mumps on the rebound

After decades of dormancy, mumps is back and could be making an appearacne soon at a clinic or hospital near you.

New colorectal screening guidelines

Screening for colorectal cancer is still underused, especially by low-income people, the uninsured, Asians and Hispanics, foreign-born people, and those with limited English-language skills according to a new…

New lupus drug one step closer to approval

An advisory panel has recommended the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approve Benlysta; it would be the first new drug approved to treat Lupus in over 50 years.…

New online resource: Genetic/Genomic Competency Center

The Genetic/Genomic Competency Center (G2C2, http://www.g-2-c-2.org/) is a new free online resource created to help educators teach the next generation of nurses and physician assistants about genetics and…

New pain drug developed

Researchers have developed a new opioid drug, UMB 425, which is as strong as morphine, but has reduced tolerance over time and no obvious toxic effects. The drug…

New report on health information exchange released

“Secrets of HIE Success Revealed: Lessons from the Leaders,” a report released by the National eHealth Collaborative, features 12 case studies of mature health information exchange (HIE) organizations.…

Nicotine-free inhaler helps stop smoking

In a study of 120 smokers, those who saw handling of the cigarette as an important part of smoking and used a nicotine-free inhaler (“fake cigarette) as part…

NIH plans new center for promoting drug development

A National Institute of Health (NIH) advisory board has approved the creation of National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, a move intended to accelerate drug development. Read more…

Our Readers Respond

Family initiated rapid response team After reading the article “Family initiated rapid response team (FIRR)” by Ehrig S., Hepburn, J., Riley, P., and Smolen, A., in the American…

Peril on Periphery

Peripheral arterial disease is all too common – and all too often goes unrecognized.

Pertussis resurgence continues unabated

American Nurse Today…Online reported on the nationwide pertussis, or whooping cough, outbreak in June. Unfortunately, four months later, the updated news is not good. In California, where the…

Placebos without deception effective for IBS

An open-label study of 80 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) found that those who knew they were receiving a placebo still experienced improvements, including reduced symptom severity,…

Prealbumin testing for early malnutrition detection

Malnutrition is surprisingly common in hospital patients-but detecting it can be easy when prealbumin levels are measured This article is available to American Nurses Association members and ANJ…

Propoxyphene taken off market

Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which makes Darvon and Darvocet, the brand versions of the prescription pain medication propoxyphene, has agreed to withdraw the medication from the U.S. market at…
human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine

Protect yourself and your patients with vaccination

Why is immunization so crucial for nurses? Which vaccinations should all nurses get? Find out with this educational handout focusing on national efforts to reduce vaccine-preventable disease through…

Quiz Time

A nurse working in the intensive care unit administers 100 mg of diazepam I.V. as ordered by the new resident. Although she checks on the patient often and…

Quiz Time

Which of the following is an advantage of a dry-suction chest drainage system? a. Lower levels of suction pressure b. Variable bubbling, which indicates proper functioning c. A…

Quiz Time

A goal of the induction phase of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest is to: a. quickly warm the patient to target body temperature. b. slowly cool the patient…

Radiation therapy 101

More than half of cancer patients get radiation therapy. This article gives a basic overview of this potentially life-saving treatment, discusses nursing interventions for radiation patients, and tells…

Seasonal influenza vaccination and the nurse

Seasonal influenza vaccination and the nurse We are about to enter the seasonal influenza vaccination year. There continues to be concern, and rightly so, about the low seasonal…

Six more hot drugs for today and beyond

These six drug profiles, along with the six in the March issue of American Nurse Today, bring you up to date on significant advances in drug therapy.

Standardizing handoff communication

Although adverse events can occur anytime during hospitalization, handoff communication is often the cause of avoidable adverse events. Miscommunication, care continuity disruption, critical data omission, medication errors, and…

Study: MRI may help diagnose bipolar disorder

According to a study in Psychological Medicine, MRIs may help diagnose people with bipolar disorder. The researchers correctly differentiated bipolar patients from healthy individuals with 73% accuracy based…
estrogen women woman note

Take Note – August 2007

Good news for younger women taking estrogen     Estrogen therapy may have cardioprotective effects for women who start taking it in their 50s. A study from the Women’s Health…

Take Note – August 2008

Web exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts at www.AmericanNurseToday.com
kid eating healthy child girl veggies vegetable

Take Note – July 2008

Measles outbreak       Between January 1 and April 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of 64 measles cases in nine states—the highest number for the…

Take Note – June 2007

A monthly round up of clinical, practice, and career news, updates, and alerts.
breast feeding breastfeeding baby

Take Note – November 2006

American Diabetes Association releases food guidelines for specific medical categories “When you’re talking about diabetes, there is no ‘one size fits all’ diet,” said Ann Albright, PhD, RD,…

Take Note – Sept/Oct 2009

Patients lose when nurse staffing is insufficient Heavy workloads and insufficient staffing affect patient care, according to about 2,000 nurses surveyed worldwide by the International Council of Nurses…
notes note pink important

Take Note – September 2008

Johnson & Johnson’s Campaign for Nursing’s Future     In 2002, Johnson & Johnson launched the Campaign for Nursing’s Future to enhance the image of nursing, help recruit new nurses…

Technology: The great enabler

Where would you be without a “smart” phone to manage your life? We’ve adapted to noxious ring tones; how have we adapted to technology in nursing?

The Avandia saga

Read an interesting editorial about Avandia here. A U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel recommended keeping the drug on the market, but increasing warnings about the drug’s potential…

The disappearing inpatient

As hospital admissions shrink, nursing jobs are shiftingto other areas, such as outpatient offices, clinics, postacute facilities, and home care.
JointCommission_COVID19pandemic

The Joint Commission: COVID-19 response and accreditation

Resources and advocacy to support healthcare organizations. Takeaways: The Joint Commission has taken actions to support health care organizations with accreditation surveys and certification reviews during the pandemic.…

The magnetic draw of information technology

With a shrinking workforce and more complex healthcare, how can nurses raise the bar on clinical excellence? One hospital uses health information technology to improve efficiency and reduce…

The role of pharmacogenomics in cancer

Oncology nurses have long appreciated that the “one size fits all” strategy—basing chemotherapy dosages on body surface area—for treating cancer does not work because of variations in patients’…

Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest

Until recently, the outlook for patients who remained comatose after cardiac arrest was dire. But therapeutic hypothermia is turning the tide. Learn the facts about this life-saving approach.

Unite to Fight the Flu – Influenza Season Update

There is a saying that if you’ve experienced one influenza season, you’ve experienced one influenza season. Influenza is a highly unpredictable virus, and the 2011-2012 season has proved…

What HIT means to healthcare professionals

When it comes to health information technology (HIT), every nurses has a stake in—and a piece of—the action. Let’s figure out how to make HIT work for, not…

What you need to know about electronic documentation

Electronic health records (EHRs) are here to stay. Beginning January 1, 2014, all public and private healthcare providers were required to adopt and demonstrate “meaningful use” of EHRs…

Whooping cough makes an unwanted comeback

Have you ever heard a child with pertussis (whooping cough)? Chances are, thanks to decades of pertussis vaccines, you haven’t. Watch a video of a baby with the…

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