Your
Voice Can Create Change
Make your voice-and the voice of critical
care nursing-heard by participating in the
Voice Project. Launched at the 2002 National
Teaching Institute and Critical Care
Exposition in Atlanta, the Voice Project is
AACN's latest initiative to amplify the
voice of nursing in public forums. This
effort is also tied to the theme of AACN
President Connie Barden, RN, MSN, CCNS, CCRN,
"Bold Voices-Fearless and Essential."
To participate, simply visit the AACN Web
site. A variety of questions will be posed
throughout the coming year, and the
responses of members will be used in several
ways, including as part of AACN's messaging
to the media, legislators and other key
healthcare influencers. Some responses will
appear in promotional materials or AACN
publications, including in a new monthly
feature "Soundbites" in AACN News.
The following responses were contributed by
participants at the 2002 NTI:
Q.
What do you do to
continually renew your passion for nursing?
I attend NTI every year, I maintain my CCRN
certification, and I take a moment every day
to recall a special patient or an event that
only critical care nursing allowed me to
experience.
�Angela Lukach, RN, BSN, CCRN
Jacksonville, Fla.
There is nothing more satisfying at the end
of the day than to know that you have made a
difference in people's lives.
�Anon.
Member-to-Member
Links Are Critical: Recruitment Campaign
Offers Numerous Rewards
AACN's Critical Links member-get-a-member
campaign for 2002-03 is under way, with a
total of 249 new members now eligible to
enjoy the many benefits their professional
association offers. This total includes 168
new members recruited by 106 individual
members and 81 new members recruited by 38
chapters in the first month of the new
campaign, which ends April 30.
The individual who recruits the most new
members during the campaign receives a $500
American Express gift certificate, and the
chapters reporting the largest increase in
membership numbers or the largest percentage
increase receive a $250 gift certificate
toward the purchase of AACN resources.
Individual
Rewards
All individual campaign participants receive
an AACN pocket reference when they recruit
their first new member. After that,
individual recruiters receive $25 gift
certificates toward the purchase of AACN
resources when they recruit five new members
and $50 AACN gift certificates when they
recruit 10 new members. Each month, members
who have recruited at least one new member
during the month are also entered into a
monthly drawing for a $100 American Express
gift certificate.
All the recruiters need to do is make
certain that their name and AACN member
number are included on the new members'
application forms.
In addition to the $500 American Express
gift certificate, the top individual
recruiter is eligible for the first-,
second- and third-place prize drawings:
1st Prize Round-trip tickets for two to
anywhere in the continental U.S., including
a five-day, four-night hotel stay.
2nd Prize Round-trip tickets for two to
anywhere in the continental U.S.
3rd Prize Four-day, three-night hotel
accommodations at a Marriott Hotel.
Chapter Rewards
In addition to the $250 gift certificate,
chapters reporting the largest increase in
membership numbers or the largest percentage
increase will receive special recognition at
NTI 2003 in San Antonio, Texas. Each month,
chapters that recruit new members will also
be entered into a drawing for a
complimentary registration for NTI 2003.
Who Recruited
New Members During May?
Kathleen
M. Richuso, RN, MSN 7
Pam Zinnecker, RN, CCRN 7
Cynthia A. Phelps, RN, BSN, CCRN 7
Paulita D. Narag, RN, ADN, CCRN 7
Lauretta M. Joseph, RN, MSN, CCRN,
NP 6
Denise Buonocore, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS,
6
ACNP, APRN
Pauline J. McNeece, RN, MSN, CCRN 5
Jacqueline J. Johnson, RN, MA 5
Joan F. Baker, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNRN 5
Nancy D. King, RN, MSN, CCRN, ANP,
NP 4
Delita Glori-Feri, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
3
Yvonne Thelwell, RN 3
Lori A. Daughenbaugh, RN, BSN, CCRN
3
Carol M. Hinkle, RN, MSN, BA, CCRN 2
Deborah J. Duncan, RN, MSN 2
Pamela S. Bruhn, RN, MA, ANP 2
Zondra Hull, RN 2
Lindsey Shank, RN, BSN, CCRN 2
Marlene Merdes, RN 2
Daniel P. Stuart, RN, TNCC 2
One for One
The following individuals each
recruited one new member during May:
Ellen M. Prewitt, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CRNP, NP
Betty Nash Blevins, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CS
Patricia M. Parsons, RN, CCRN
Deborah A. Fischer, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CNRN
Kay E. Berner, RN, CCRN
JoAnne K. Phillips, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary A. Dias, RN, CCRN
Bobbie J. Branch, RN, MSN
Linda S. Sikora, RN, MSN, CCRN
Patricia M. Juarez, RN, MS, CCRN,
CCNS
Victoria A. Ramik, RN, MS, CCRN, CS,
APRN
Margaret R. Rollins, RN, MSN, CCRN
|
Susan K.
Rossetti, RN, BSN, CCRN
Annette M. Nelson, RN, BS, CCRN
Eunice F. Lasala, RN, MS, MSN, CCRN
Kathleen Ross Henderson, RNC, MS,
CCRN
Nancy T. Blake, RN, MN, CCRN, CNAA
Barbara B. Pope, RN, MSN, CCRN
Theresa Stevens, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS
Catherine E. Jacob, RN, BSN, BS,
CCRN
Irma G. Williams, RN, CCRN
Carolyn Fascetti, RN, MSN
Lori E. Kennedy, RN, BSN, CCRN
Recruiter
Christine G. Westphal, RN, MSN, CCRN
Linda M. Cason, RN, MSN, CCRN
Jane L. Hartman, RN, MS, CCRN
Marla A. Meaux, RN, CCRN
Mary Fran Tracy, RN, PhD, CCRN
Catherine M. Saniuk, RN, MS, CCRN
Karen R. Ross, RN, CCRN
B. Yvonne Fankhanel, RN, BSN
Sarah R. Solon, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
Denise E. Walter, RN, BSN
Kathleen M. Hoff, RN, BSN, CCRN
Debra Cook Myers, RN, BSN, CCRN
Mona P. Ternus, RN, MSN, BA, PhD,
CCRN
Michele L. Manning, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CS
Katherine L. McEwen, RN, BSN, RRT
Kannagi Gayapershad, RN, BS, BSN,
CCRN
Carolyn A. Fernandez, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CS,
ACNP, CEN
Lenora M. Maze, RN, BSN, CNRN
Ruth G. Melvin, RN, BSN, CCRN
Jacqueline Ann Morgan, RN, BS, MSN,
CCRN, CS
Felecia S. Williams, RN, BSN, CCRN
Mary Kathryn Graham, RN, BSN
Anthony E. Farmer, RN, MSN
Kristine M. Chaisson, RN, BSN, CCRN
Ruthie L. Robinson, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CEN
Carolyn Carter, RN, ADN, BA
Tari Kovacs
Julia M. Roman, RN, BSN, CCRN
Joan Marie LaCroix, RN, BS, BSN,
CCRN
Madeleine M. Burke, RN, BSN, CCRN
Tara F. Beebout, RN, BSN, CCRN
Joyce A. McCasland, RN, MN, CCRN
Sue S. Lacy, RN
Katherine Colbert, RN, ADN, CCRN
Connie R. Barbour, RN |
Sharon
L. Cook, RN, BSN
Laurie A. Dean, RN, CCRN
Annette M. Mtangi, RN, ADN, CCRN
Maristela D. Limpangug, RN, BSN
Michele Quinlan, RN, BSN
Nancy Yocum
Deedra Harrington, RN
Deitra T. Brown, RN, BSN, CCRN
Leneita A. Jackson
Damon B. Cottrell, RN, MS, CCRN,
CCNS, CEN
Rikki D. Simpson, RN
Nancy L. Miller, RN, BSN
Mary Jo Goss, RN
Recruiter
Melodye E. Zahn, RN, ADN, CCRN
Carol A. Miller
Brenda J. Estes, RN, BSN
Debra Grimm
Sonya M. Robinson, RN
Melody Ann Lane, RN
Eva M. Crosby, RN
Aline C. Bordado, RN
Brent Smith, RN, BSN
Karen Gravley
Marianne Schillberg
Recruiter
Lisa M. McDonald, RN
Rebecca E. Reay, RN
Elizabeth A. Drankiewicz, RN, ADN
Philicia J. Bianco, RN
Reward Winners
for May
Congratulations to Cynthia Phelps,
RN, BSN, CCRN, the recipient of our
reward drawing for May. Each month,
one individual will receive a $100
American Express gift certificate.
The recipients are randomly
selected. |
Chapters
Greater Miami Area Chapter 14
Montana Big Sky Chapter 7
Triangle Chapter 6
Brooklyn Chapter 6
Rochester Chapter 5
Atlanta Area Chapter 4
Central Pennsylvania Chapter 3
Central Indiana Chapter 2
Greater Birmingham Chapter 2
Northeast Indiana Chapter 2
Spokane Chapter 2
Redwood Empire Chapter 2
Broward County Chapter 1
Lake Erie Chapter 1
Central Savannah River Chapter 1
Greater Milwaukee Area Chapter 1
Dallas County Chapter 1
North Valley Chapter 1
San Fernando Valley Chapter 1
Greater Richmond Area Chapter 1
Greater Louisville Chapter 1
Gate City Chapter 1
Greater New Orleans Chapter 1
Southern Maine Chapter 1
San Diego Area Chapter 1
Greater Fredericksburg Area Chapter 1
East River Mountain Chapter 1
Merrimack Valley Chapter 1
Greater Flint Area Chapter 1
Southern New Hampshire Chapter 1
Jersey Shoreline Chapter 1
South Central Connecticut Chapter 1
Smoky Mountain Chapter 1
Adirondack Regional Chapter 1
Mobile Bay Area Chapter 1
South Central Wisconsin Chapter 1
Coastal Chapter 1
Greater Akron Area Chapter 1
Reward Winners
for May
Congratulations to the Greater
Fredericksburg Area Chapter, which was the
winner of the monthly reward drawing for
May. Each month, one chapter will receive
one complimentary registration for NTI 2003.
The recipients are randomly selected from
among chapters that recruit at least one new
member during the month.
Scene and Heard
AACN continues to seek visibility for our
profession and the organization. Following
is an update on recent outreach efforts:
Media
Highlights
� AACN's National Teaching Institute and
Critical Care Exposition in May in Atlanta,
Ga., as well as a news conference scheduled
in conjunction with the NTI, attracted
strong media interest and widespread
coverage. Among the news outlets covering
the event were "CNN Headline News," "CNN
TalkBack Live," CNN.com, WAGA-TV (Fox)
Atlanta, WSB-TV 2 Atlanta (ABC), WGCL-TV
(CBS) Atlanta, WSAZ-TV (NBC) Charleston,
WCSC-TV (CBS) Charleston, WFAA-TV (ABC)
Dallas, Fox News Dallas, Texas Cable News,
KWTV-TV (CBS) Oklahoma City, CLTV Cable (IND)
Chicago, WGHP-TV (Fox) Greensboro, WCIA-TV
(CBS) Springfield, WJAC-TV (NBC) Johnstown
and KTBS-TV (ABC) Shreveport. In addition,
articles appeared on the Associated Press
wire service and in the New York Times,
Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle,
Florida Times-Union, Atlanta Business
Chronicle and Legislative Network for
Nurses.
� Advance for Nurses featured two articles
related to AACN and to critical care
certification in its May 13 issue. One
article, titled "Eloquence on Excellence:
It's time nurses pump up the volume about
what they do," was written by 2001-02 AACN
Certification Corporation Chair Elizabeth
Nolan, RN, MS, CS. The other article, titled
"Gaining Critical Care Certification,"
discussed the steps necessary to pursue CCRN
or CCNS certification and renewal.
� The May issue of Nursing2002 published an
interview with 2001-02 AACN President
Michael L. Williams, RN, MSN, CCRN, on a
variety of topics, including the nursing
shortage, technology and progressive care.
The interview was followed by a self-test
for CCRNs to evaluate their skills in
treating patients holistically.
� The May issue of RN magazine featured a
condensed version of Williams' "President's
Note" column from AACN News and information
about the 2003 Circle of Excellence awards,
NTI 2003 research and creative solutions
abstracts and National Critical Care
Awareness and Recognition Month.
� AACN was cited in essays written by
winners of the greater Philadelphia, Pa.,
2002 Best Nursing Team awards and published
in the April 29 issue of Advance for Nurses.
The winning essay, from the PICU/IMCU at
Penn State Children's Hospital, Hershey,
Pa., noted that the unit's nursing
staff/leadership has been recognized in
compassionate care and excellence in
practice through the Nurse-to-Nurse awards
that appear in Critical Care Nurse, which is
published by AACN. The essay from the MICU
at Albert Einstein Medical Center,
Philadelphia, which tied for third place,
said that "all staff members are encouraged
to join the American Association of
Critical-Care Nurses at the national and
local level," and that "multiple staff have
attained CCRN certification."
� On April 9, Pat Carroll, RN, a community
outreach liaison for AACN, appeared on the
morning news program of WCAU-TV, an NBC
affiliate in Philadelphia, Pa., to discuss
nursing and its future, as well as AACN. In
addition, Carroll was interviewed on May 6
for National Nurses Day on WTIC-AM radio,
Hartford, Conn. She encouraged people to
join the nursing profession and take
advantage of its varied career
opportunities.
� The April issue of Hospitals & Health
Networks noted that AACN is working with
Clarian Health Partners and Indiana
University School of Nursing-Purdue
University of Indianapolis to develop online
classes for critical care nurses and nursing
students across the country.
� In April, Nursing Spectrum published
several articles that referred to AACN:
- In an article titled "Critical Caring,"
Michelle Anastasi, RN, MS, CCRN, president
of the Greater Boston Chapter of AACN, who
has worked in critical care for 17 years,
said, "I listen to family members and learn
about their beliefs. This helps me create an
environment that is comfortable, caring and
healing for the family." She also said, "AACN
is dedicated to creating a healthcare system
driven by the needs of patients and families
where critical care nurses make their
optimal contribution."
- An article titled "Legal Issues in
Critical Care" featured an interview with
outgoing AACN board member Jessica Palmer,
RN, MSN, about the challenge of ensuring the
appropriate nurse-to-patient ratio and the
change in the level of experience that
nurses now have when they enter critical
care units.
- An article titled "Use ADPIE to Advance
Your Practice" included a section written by
Linda Bell, RN, MSN, AACN clinical practice
specialist. She discussed the value of
obtaining advanced degree credentials and
recommended relevant programs of study.
Our Voice at
the Table
� On May 17, AACN CEO Wanda Johanson, RN,
MN, and Director of Development & Strategic
Alliances Ram�n Lavandero, RN, MSN, MA, met
in Denver, Colo., with the CEOs of the
American Organization of Nurse Executives
and the Association of periOperative
Registered Nurses to formalize a partnership
for the leadership development of nurse
managers. The associations will collaborate
on the development of educational programs
and other resources for nurse managers, who
play a pivotal role in the retention of
nurses and in promoting healthy and
professional work environments.
� On April 3, Williams attended the
"Horizons" conference in Boston, Mass.,
where he gave the keynote on "Celebrating
Nursing's Greatness" and also presented
"Family Crisis and Dysfunction: Drawing the
Line" as a breakout session.
� On April 26, Williams delivered the
convocation address at Kirkhof School of
Nursing at Grand Valley State University,
Allendale, Mich., where he received the
first Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award.
� On May 11, Williams addressed the Lansing
(Mich.) Community College commencement class
and received the Distinguished Alumni Award.
He and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow,
commencement speaker, discussed AACN's
concerns about the nursing shortage and
workplace issues.
� On May 16, Williams spoke at the "Lessons
from the Heart" conference at Geisinger
Medical Center, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. His topics
were "Celebrating Nursing's Greatness Today
and Every Day" and "Caregiver Sensitivity:
Lessons From Our Patients."
If you or your chapter is planning to reach
out to the media or other groups to promote
critical care nursing, we'd like to know.
E-mail your information to
aacnnews@aacn.org.
On the Road
AACN frequently takes its show on the road,
as representatives of the AACN National
Office exhibit at conferences throughout the
country.
In September, AACN will be at the Emergency
Nurses Association conference in New
Orleans, La.
If you are attending this conference, stop
by the AACN exhibit to visit with your
National Office team.
National
Volunteer Groups Are the Heart of AACN Work
Each year, hundreds of AACN members
contribute their time and expertise in a
variety of ways toward the important work of
their professional association. These groups
represent critical care nurses from
different practice settings throughout the
country. The annual volunteer application
process is completed in March of each year,
and appointment selections finalized in May.
Volunteer terms are from July 1 through June
30. AACN board members are appointed to
serve as liaisons to many of these groups,
further strengthening the connection between
these volunteer groups and the national
leadership team. Following are the
appointments to volunteer groups for
2002-03:
AACN
Board Advisory Team
Marian Altman, RN, MS, CCRN, ANP
Suzanne M. Burns, RN, MSN, CCRN, NP
(Board Liaison)
Cindy Christen, RN, BSN
Jo Ellen Craghead, RN, MSN, CCRN
Jean Felber, RN, MSN, CCRN
Michelle Fennessy, RN, MSN, CCRN
Lisa Gingerich, RN, BSN, BS
Octavio Goncalves, RN
M. Dave Hanson, RN, BSN, CCRN
(Board Liaison)
Diane Hawley, RNC, PhD
Cheryl Hettman, RN, PhD
Mary House-Fancher, RN, MSN, ARNP
Lori Kennedy, RN, BSN, CCRN
Teri Kiss, RN, BSN, CCRN
Julie Marcum, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Kimberly Martin, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary Mason Wyckoff, RN, MSN, ARNP,
NNP
Mary Frances Pate, RN, DSN
Jose Planillo, RN, BSN, CCRN
Theresa Posani, RN, CNS, MS, CCRN,
CCNS, CNA, CS
Michael Pringle, RN, BSN, MPA, CCRN
Judi Reeves, RN, BSN
Cheryl Rockwell, RN, BSN
Heather Russell, RN
Sarah Samick, RN, BS, CCRN
Deborah Shields, RN, MS, CCRN
Lynn Smith Schnautz, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Joyce Taylor, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
John Whitcomb, RN, MSN, CCRN
Polly Zahrt, RN, BSN
Advanced Practice Advisory Team
Nancy Albert, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS,
CNA
Claudia Barone, RN, EdD
Carol Bishop, RN, MSN, BA, CCRN
Pegi Black, RN, MSN, MS, NP
Pamela Bolton, RN, CNS, MS, CCRN
Patricia Bradshaw, RN, BSN, CCRN
Carol Braund, RN, MA, CCRN
Eileen Briening, RN, MSN, CCRN, CRNP
Sonja Brune, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS,
CEN
Jesus Casida, RN, CNS, MS, CCRN
Linda Cook, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS
Damon Cottrell, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS,
CEN
Marilin Crawford, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary Dent, RN, MA, CCRN
Charles Downs, RN, BSN
Catherine Draus, RN, MSN, MSA, CCRN
Michelle Fennessy, RN, MSN, CCRN
Hatice Foell, RN, MS
Brenda Hardin-Wike, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Diane Hawley, RNC, PhD
Mary House-Fancher, RN, MSN, ARNP
Joan King, RN, MSN, PhD
Gregory Knutzen, RN, MSN, BA, CCRN
Linda Lapointe, RN, BS, MS
Kimberly Loveless, RN, CNS, MSN
Michele Manning, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Kelly Marcoux, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS, NP
Donna Markey, RN, MSN
Mary Mason Wyckoff, RN, MSN, ARNP,
NNP
Kathy McNeese, RN, MN
Linda Oakes, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS
Marie Pilz, RN, MSN, CCNS
Patricia Rosier, RN, MS, MSN, CS
Shari Simone, RN, MS, CCRN, CRNP
Laurie Walsh, RN, MS, CCRN, NP
John Whitcomb, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary Zellinger, RN, MN, MS, CCRN, NP
Advanced Practice Work Group
Patricia Morton, RN, PhD, NP, ACNP,
FAAN (Chair)
Deborah Greenlaw, RN, MS, CCRN
Janie Heath, RN, MSN, CCRN, ACNP,
ANP
(Board Liaison)
Lisa Kohr, RN, MSN, CCRN, PNP
Paula Lusardi, RN, PhD, CCRN, CCNS
Linda Martinez, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Angela Nelson, RN, MSN, CCRN, ACNP
Janice Powers, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS
Mary Tierney, RN, MSN, CCRN, ANP
Board
Learning Partners
Bertie Chuong, RN, MS, CCRN (Board
Liaison)
Marla De Jong, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS,
CEN
Caryl Goodyear-Bruch, RN, MSN, CCRN
Melissa Hutchinson, RN, CCRN
Rebecca E. Long, RN, CNS, MS, CCRN
(Board Liaison)
Kathleen McCauley, RN, PhD, CS, FAAN
(Board Liaison)
Monica Simpson, RN, MSN, CCRN
Susan Yeager, RN, MS, CCRN EMT
(Board Liaison)
Chapter
& Membership Awards Review Panel
Michelle Anastasi, RN, MS, CCRN
Louise Cook, RN, MSN, CCRN
Lisa Gingerich, RN, BSN, BS
Sonya Hardin, RN, PhD, CCRN
Anne Hawkins, RN, MS
LouAnn Honek, RN
Linda Ireland, RN, MS
Patricia Kelly, RN, BSN, CCRN
Mary McKinley, RN, MSN, CCRN
Leslie Swadener-Culpepper, RN, MSN,
CCRN
Linda Tamburri, RN, MS, CCRN
Joyce Taylor, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
Cynthia Webner, RN, CCRN
Janice Wojcik, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Chapter
Advisory Team
Nancy Ames, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary-Liz Bilodeau, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Darlene Bradley, RN, CNS, MSN,
PhD-C, CCRN, CEN
Carol Cleek, RN, MSN, CS
Elizabeth Covington, RN, MN, CCRN,
CS
Mary Kathryn Graham, RN, BSN
M. Beth Hammer, RN, MSN, NP
Brenda Hardin-Wike, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Deborah B. Laughon, RN, BSN, MS, DBA,
CCRN
(Board Liaison)
L. Dianne Long, RNC, MN
William Mausser, RN, BSN, MBA, CCRN
Kathleen McCauley, RN, PhD, CS, FAAN
(Board Liaison)
Barbara Monroe, RN, MS, CCRN
Susan Nelson, RN
Jackie Palmer, RN, CEN
Bonnie Rice, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS,
ARNP
Reynaldo Rivera, RN, MA, MEd, CCRN,
CNAA, ANP
Janice Wojcik, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Larraine Yeager, RN, BSN
Polly Zahrt, RN, BSN
Jenny Zaker, RN, CNS, APN-C |
Continuing Education Articles Review
Panel
Karla Ahrns, RN, BSN, CCRN
Fern Alderfer, RN, BSN
Michelle Anastasi, RN, MS, CCRN
Eugene Anderson, RN, MSN, BA, CCRN
Mary Jane Ante, RNC, MS, BA, CCRN
Denise Ayers, RN, MSN, BS
Judith Bartz, RN, BSN
Linda Batts, RN, CCRN
Karen Bird, RN, ADN, BS, CCRN
Nancy Blake, RN, MN, CCRN, CNAA
Dawn Blake-Holmes, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Jeanne Braby, RN, MSN, CCRN
Marylee Bressie, RN, CNS, MSN, CCRN,
CEN
Eileen Briening, RN, MSN, CCRN, CRNP
Frances Brown, RN, MSN, CCRN
Denise Buonocore, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS,
ACNP, APRN
Angela Burd, RN, MSN, CCNS
Carolyn Byrum, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS
Stephanie Calcasola, RN, MSN
Helen Camp, RN, CCRN
Stephen Campbell, RN, MSN, AA, CCRN,
CEN
Patricia Cardin, RN, BSN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Donna Charlebois, RN, MSN, CCRN,
ACNP
Louise Cook, RN, MSN, CCRN
Linda Cook, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS
Damon Cottrell, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS,
CEN
Jo Ellen Craghead, RN, MSN, CCRN
Maryanne Crowther, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Janet Davies, RN, CNS, MSN
Louise Diehl-Oplinger, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CS
Susan Dukes, RN, MA, CCRN
Paulla Eldridge, RN, BSN, CCRN
Marcia Elliott, RN, BSN, CCRN
Jean Forsha, RN, MSN
Michael Frakes, RN, BSN, BA, CCRN,
CFRN
Mary Franklin, RN, MS, CS, ACNP
Rita Free, RN, MS
Angela Fuhlman, RN, BSN, CCRN
Lisa Garcia, RN, BSN, BA, CCRN
Henry Geiter, RN, CCRN
Helen Gonzales-Kranzel, RN, MSN,
MBA,
CCRN, CS, NP
Madelyn Gries, RN, MS, CCRN
Jane Grimberg, RN, MS, CCRN
Todd Grivetti, RN, BS, CCRN
Sheila Grossman, RN, PhD, APRN
Brenda Hardin-Wike, RN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
John Harper, RN, MSN
Leigh Hart, RN, PhD, CCRN
Lee Ann Haygood, RN, BSN, CCRN, CNA
Linda Hidalgo, RN, DNS, CCRN
Patricia Hoppman, RN, MS, CCRN
Melissa Hutchinson, RN, CCRN
Linda Ireland, RN, MS
Lori Jackson, RNC, CCRN, NP
Scott Jessie, RN
Nancy King, RN, MSN, CCRN, ANP, NP
Ina Koerner, RN, MSN
Lisa Kohr, RN, MSN, CCRN, PNP
Barbara Krumbach, RN, MSN, CCRN
Christine Kruskamp, RN, MS, CCRN
Jane Kurz, RN, PhD
Kristine L'Ecuyer, RN, MSN
Nantawadee Lee, RN, MN, CCRN
Kelly Machuca, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS,
ACNP
Mary Macklin, RN, MSN, CCRN, ARNP
Joan Mallum, RN, BSN, CCRN
Margaret Malone, RN, MN, CCRN
Lisa Manni, RN, MSN, CCRN
Michele Manning, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Mary Martin, RN, MSN, CCNS, CS, CNRN
Sarah Martin, RN, MS, CCRN
Dorothy Mayer, RN, MSN, CS
Diane Mayes, RN, MSN, CCRN
Claire McGowan, RN, MS, CCRN, CS, NP
Patricia McGurl, RN, MSN, CCRN
Cheryl McKay, RN, MSN, CCNS
Margaret McNeill, RN, MS, CCRN
Joni Meiter, RN, MSN, CCRN
Kathleen Miller, RN, EdD, ACNP, CS
Nicolette Mininni, RN, MEd, CCRN
Katerina Moklak, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
Barbara Monroe, RN, MS, CCRN
Lou Ann Montgomery, RN, PhD, CCRN,
CCNS
Janet Mullan, RN, BSN, DDS, CCRN
Barbara Ogden, RN, MSN, CCRN
Dee Oliveri, RN
Mary Olson, RN, BSN, CCRN
Joann Panno, RN, MSN
Carol Pierce, RN, MSN, PhD
Jose Planillo, RN, BSN, CCRN
Deborah Pool, RN, MS, CCRN
Theresa Posani, RN, CNS, MS, CCRN,
CCNS, CNA, CS
Deborah Posey, RN, ADN, CCRN
Patricia Rabbett, RN, MSN, CCRN
George Reichert, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
Diana Reid, RN, BSN, CCRN, APN-C
Kathryn Roberts, RN, MSN, CCRN
Joyce Roth, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNA
Maureen Roussel, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Jill Sanko, RN
Deborah Scheele-Minanov, RN, MSN
Rebecca Schlanger, RN, BSN, AA, CCRN
Amy Schueler, RN, MS, CCRN, CNP
Lori Schumacher, RN, MS, CCRN
Deborah Shields, RN, MS, CCRN
Pamela Shumate, RN, MSN
Florence Simmons, RN, MSN, CCRN
Paulette Snoby, RN, BSN, MPA, CCRN
Rhonda Somnitz, RN, ADN, CCRN
Sandra Swoboda, RN, MS
Wendy Swope, RN, BSN
Joyce Taylor, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
Stephanie Van Arsdale, RN, MSN, EdD,
CCRN
Kimberly Vander Heuvel, RN, MS, CCRN,
ACNP, ARNP
Christine Vittum, RN, BSN, MS, CCRN
Mark Vojtko, RN, BSN, CCRN
Kittie Wagner, RN, BSN
Mary Walker, RN, MSN, CCRN
Susan Walsh, RN, MN
Robin Watson, RNC, MN, CCRN
Jane Weller, RNC, PhD, CCRN, CNA,
CEN
Christine Westphal, RN, MSN, CCRN
Cindy Wetzel, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Patricia Worster, RN, MS
Education Work Group
Mary Martin, RN, MSN, CCNS, CS, CNRN
(Chair)
LeAnn Ash, RN, BSN, CCRN
Debbie Brinker, RN, MSN, CCNS, CCRN
(Board Liaison)
Michele Burke, RN, MSN, CCRN
Beverly George-Gay, RN, MSN, BA,
CCRN
Terri Henry, RN, BSN, CCRN
Linda Morris, RN, PhD
Ethics
Advisory Team
Kathryn Artnak, RN, PhD
Jammie Barker, RN, BSN, AA, CCRN,
CNRN
Judith Bartz, RN, BSN
Pegi Black, RN, MSN, MS, NP
Patricia Cardin, RN, BSN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Margaret Crawford, RN, MS, CCRN, CEN
Carrie Farr, RN
Christopher Fuerst, RN, MSN, RRT
Mary Hartung, RN, BSN, BA, CCRN
Lynda Liles, RN, MBA, CCRN
Donna Mackenzie, RN, BSN, CCRN
Colleen Norton, RN, DNSc, CCRN
Elizabeth Rogan, RN, BSN, MA
Elaine Rose, RN, BN
Lu Ann Shoaf, RN, BSN, AA, CCRN
Sonia Springer
Helen Wellens, RN, MSN |
Ethics
Work Group
Natalie Correll-Yoder, RN, CNS, MN,
CCRN (Chair)
Benny Bolin, RN, ADN, MS
Kimberly Brown, RN, MSN, FNP, CS,
CEN
Suzanne M. Burns, RN, MSN, CCRN, NP
(Board Liaison)
Jacqueline Byers, RN, PhD
Mary Hardy, RN, BSN
Cynthia Janacek, RN, BSN, AA, CCRN
Elizabeth Rogan, RN, BSN, MA
Kate Sullivan Collopy, RN, PhD, CCRN,
CCNS
Faculty
Advisory Board
Claudia Barone, RN, EdD
Linda Bucher, RN, DNSc
Elizabeth Carson, RN, MS
Stephanie Christian, RN, MS, CCRN
Louise Cook, RN, MSN, CCRN
Gina Duncan, RN, MSN, ACNP, CEN
Renie Feingold, RN, BSN
Jill Fernandes, RNC, MSN, NP
Kathleen Geib, RN, MSN
Jo Ann Jenkins, RN, MSN, CCRN
Peggy Jenkins, RN, MS, CCRN
Kay Luft, RN, MN, CCRN, TNCC
Gail Marchigiano, RN, MSN
Cynthia McCoy, RN, MSN, CCRN
Catherine McCoy-Hill, RN, MSN, CCRN
Colleen Norton, RN, DNSc, CCRN
Dee Oliveri, RN
Christine O'Shaugnessy, RN, PhD
Deanna Reising, RN, PhD, CS
Mary Lou Sole, RN, PhD, CCRN, FAAN
Jennifer Wackel, RN, MS, CCRN
Leadership Development Work Group
Lisa Pettrey, RN, MS (Chair)
Stephanie Calcasola, RN, MSN
John Dixon, RN, MSN
M. Dave Hanson, RN, BSN, CCRN
(Board Liaison)
Karen Marzlin, RN, CCRN
Mary McKinley, RN, MSN, CCRN
Barbara Ogden, RN, MSN, CCRN
Teresa Solberg, RN, MSN, CCRN
Denise Thornby, RN, MS
Membership Advisory Team
Carol Bishop, RN, MSN, BA, CCRN
Ronna Carlton, RN, BSN, CCRN
Gerard Hannibal, RN, BSN, CCRN
LouAnn Honek, RN
Kimberly Loveless, RN, CNS, MSN
Linda Martinez, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Sara McMannus, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
Karen Nave, RN, BSN, CCRN
Leslie Swadener-Culpepper, RN, MSN,
CCRN
Cynthia Webner, RN, CCRN
Neonatal Advisory Team
Wanda Bradshaw, RNC, MSN, CCRN
Angela Burd, RN, MSN, CCNS
JoAnna Cartwright, RN, MSN, NNP
Kathryn Krayk, RN, ADN, AA, TNCC
M. Verklan, RNC, PhD, CCNS
Novice
Critical Care Nurses Advisory Team
Jennifer Ahrens, RN, BSN, CCRN
Doreen Armstrong-Ross
Melinda Bender, RN, MSN, CCRN
Marcia Bixby, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Frances Brown, RN, MSNc, CCRN
Patricia Cardin, RN, BSN, MSN, CCRN,
CCNS
Gail Ciccarello, RN, BSN
Gail Davis, RN, BSN
Richard DeMeola, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
Mary Dent, RN, MA, CCRN
Diana Eisnaugle, RN, CCRN
Tonya Ellis, RN, MSN
Carrie Farr, RN
P. Frawley, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS
David Gagne
Frances Gedell, RN, MA, CCRN
Barbara Goldberg-Chamberlain, RN,
MSN, BA,
CCRN, CS
Terri Henry, RN, BSN, CCRN
Mary Kaminski, RN, CCRN
Charlotte Kelley, RN
Kathleen King, RN, MSN, CCRN
Nancy King, RN, MSN, CCRN, ANP, NP
Nicolette Mininni, RN, MEd, CCRN
Joann Morris, RN, BS
Mary Murphy, RN, CCRN
Carole Nussel, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
Jeanne Papa, RN, BSN, CCRN, RRT
Deborah Posey, RN, ADN, CCRN
John Pozar, RN, BS, BA, CCRN, CEN
Karen Reagan, RN, MS, CCRN
George Reichert, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
Suzan Reynolds, RN, MBA, CCRN, CEN
Cheryl Rockwell, RN, BSN
Pamela Shumate, RN, MSN
Sonia Springer
Juliana Szebehely, RN, EMT-P
Clare Tack, RN, MSN, CCRN
Brian Viele, RN, BSN, CCRN
Jennifer Wackel, RN, MS, CCRN
Mary Watkins, RN
Paula Weaver, RN
NTI
Abstracts Review Panel
Karla Ahrns, RN, BSN, CCRN
Eugene Anderson, RN, MSN, BA, CCRN
Marylee Bressie, RN, CNS, MSN, CCRN,
CEN
Stephanie Calcasola, RN, MSN
Colleen Counsell, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary Fitzgerald Kenny, RN, MA, MBA,
CNAA
Karen Gaertner, RN, MSN, CCRN
Beverly George-Gay, RN, MSN, BA,
CCRN
Cheryl Hettman, RN, PhD
Linda Hidalgo, RN, DNS, CCRN
Andrea Kline, RN, MS, CCRN, NP
Lisa Kohr, RN, MSN, CCRN, PNP
Nantawadee Lee, RN, MN, CCRN
Mary Macklin, RN, MSN, CCRN, ARNP
Dorothy Mayer, RN, MSN, CS
Rhonda McLain, RN, MN
Janet Mullan, RN, BSN, DDS, CCRN
Colleen Norton, RN, DNSc, CCRN
Mary Frances Pate, RN, DSN
Carol Pierce, RN, MSN, PhD
Jodi Rogers, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS
Lauren Sorce, RN, MSN, CCRN, CPNP
Julie Stanik-Hutt, RN, PhD, CCRN,
ACNP
Susan Walsh, RN, MN
Cindy Wetzel, RN, MSN, CCRN, CS
Janice Wojcik, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Diane Wrobleski, RN, MS, CEN
NTI
Work Group
Amy Schueler, RN, MS, CCRN, CNP
(Chair)
Maggie Carriker, RN, MSN
Dennis Cheek, RN, MSN, PhD
Deborah Greenlaw, RN, MS, CCRN
Mary Holtschneider, RN, BSN, MPA
Cynthia Klein, RN, MSN, NP
Judith Lang, RN, BS, CCRN
Carol Ann Puz, RN, BSN, CCRN (Board
Liaison)
Robin Watson, RN,RNC, MN, CCRN
Nurse
Manager Advisory Team
Nancy Blake, RN, MN, CCRN, CNAA
Pamela Bradshaw, RN, MA, CCRN
Carol Cleek, RN, MSN, CS
Diana Contino, RN, BSN, MBA, CCRN,
CEN
Patricia Daansen, RN, BSN, AA, CCRN
Lianne Dickerson, RN, BSN, CCRN
Nancy Grant, RN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS
Anne Hawkins, RN, MS
Charlotte Kelley, RN
Linda Lapointe, RN, BS, MS
Wanda Lewis, RN, MS
Betty McKenzie, RN, MSN
Joni Meiter, RN, MSN, CCRN
Marge Miller, RN, MSN, CCRN
Carole Nussel, RN, BSN, MA, CCRN
Barbara Ogden, RN, MSN, CCRN
Michael Pringle, RN, BSN, MPA, CCRN
Julia Read, RN, MS
Brian Viele, RN, BSN, CCRN
Christine Vittum, RN, BSN, MS, CCRN |
Nurse
Manager Think Tank
Nancy Blake, RN, MN, CCRN, CNAA
Bertie Chuong, RN, MS, CCRN (Board
Liaison)
Tonya Harter, RN, MSN
Sharon Hershman, RN
Susan Nelmark, RN, BA, CCRN
Jessica Palmer, RN, MSN
Lori Popkes, RN, BAN, CCRN
Nora Protokowicz, RN, MSN
Rosanne Raso, RN, MS, CNAA
Susan Schindler, RN, BSN, CCRN
Janis Watts, RN, BSN, CCRN
Pediatric Advisory Team
Nancy Blake, RN, MN, CCRN, CNAA
Ann Carlson, RN, MN, CCRN, NP
Joseph Dunn, RN, BS, CCRN
Jill Fernandes, RNC, MSN, NP
Eileen Fry-Bowers, RN, MS, CCNS,
CPNP
Linda Ikuta, RN, MN, CCNS
Lisa Milonovich, RN, BSN, CCRN
Mary Nottingham, RN, BSN, CCRN
Kay Rhoades, RNC, MSN, CCRN, CCNS,
NP, RNC
Kathryn Roberts, RN, MSN, CCRN
Jodi Rogers, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS
Lauren Sorce, RN, MSN, CCRN, CPNP
Karen Zahn, RN, RNC, BSN, CCRN
Practice Advisory Team
Melinda Bender, RN, MSN, CCRN
Marcia Bixby, RN, MS, CCRN, CS
Patricia Bradshaw, RN, BSN, CCRN
Neftali Cabezudo, RN
Margaret Crawford, RN, MS, CCRN, CEN
Marilin Crawford, RN, MSN, CCRN
Patricia Daansen, RN, BSN, AA, CCRN
Micahel Frakes, RN, BSN, BA, CCRN
Gerard Hannibal, RN, BSN, CCRN
Kimberly Loveless, RN, CNS, MSN
Diane Mortimer, RN
Mary Nottingham, RN, BSN, CCRN
Sarah Samick, RN, BS, CCRN
Deborah Shields, RN, MS, CCRN
Progressive Care Advisory Team
Helen Camp, RN, CCRN
Gerard Hannibal, RN, BSN, CCRN
Susan Helms, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary Kaminski, RN, CCRN
Karen Marzlin, RN, CCRN
Sara McMannus, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
Ann Peterson, RN, MS, CCRN
Clare Tack, RN, MSN, CCRN
Progressive Care Task Force
LeAnn Ash, RN, BSN, CCRN
Madeleine Burke, RN, BSN, CCRN
Bertie Chuong, RN, MS, CCRN (Board
Liaison)
Randeen Cordier, RN, MSN, CS
Melissa Fitzpatrick, RN, MSN, FAAN
Susan Helms, RN, MSN, CCRN
Mary Palazzo, RN, MS, CCRN
Juan Quintero, RN, MSN, CCRN
Diane Salipante, RN, MS, MSN, CCRN
Public
Policy Work Group
Victoria Boyce, RN, MSN (Chair)
Margaret-Ann Carno, RN, MS, MBA,
CCRN
Kevin Hook, RN, MA, BSN
Anne Kunos, RN, BSN
Debra Mark, RN, MSN, PhD
Diane Mayes, RN, MSN, CCRN
Sheila Melander, RN, DSN, ACNP, FCCM
Marge Miller, RN, MSN, CCRN
Alisa Shackelford, RN, CCRN
Sarah Solon, RN, BS, BSN, CCRN
Brenda Truman, RN, MSN, ACNP
Research & Creative Solutions
Abstract Review Panel
Alyce Ashcraft, RN, PhD, CCRN, CS
Judith Bartz, RN, BSN
Jesus Casida, RN, CNS, MS, CCRN
Colleen Counsell, RN, MSN, CCRN
Shelly Fields-Ryan, RN, MS, CCRN,
FNP
Betsy George, RN, PhD, CCRN
Leigh Hart, RN, PhD, CCRN
Mary Hartung, RN, BSN, BA, CCRN
Lori Jackson, RNC, CCRN, NP
Nantawadee Lee, RN, MN, CCRN
Gina Maiocco, RN, PhD, CCRN
Mary Martin, RN, MSN, CCNS, CS, CNRN
Patricia Rosier, RN, MS, MSN, CS
Jill Sanko, RN
Sandra Swoboda, RN, MS
Wendy Swope, RN, BSN
Susan Walsh, RN, MN
Research Grants Review Panel
Judy Bezanson, RN, DSN
Sherill Cronin, RN, PhD
Susan Fowler, RN, MS, CCRN, CS, CNRN
Sonya Hardin, RN, PhD, CCRN
Lori Hendrickx, RN, EdD, CCRN
Brenda Jeffers, RN, PhD
Mary Lewis-Wood, RN, MSN, EdD, CCRN
Julie McNulty, RN, BSN, CCRN
Patricia O'Malley, RN, PhD, CCRN
Charlene Winters, RN, DNSc, CS
Research Work Group
Elaine Steinke, RN, MN, PhD (Chair)
Susan Barnason, RN, PhD, CCRN, CS
Mary Jo Grap, RN, PhD, ACNP
Linda Henry, RN, MS
Deborah B. Laughon, RN, BSN, MS, DBA,
CCRN
(Board Liaison)
Sandra Smith PhD, APRN
Susan Woods, RN, PhD
Shu-Fen Wung, RN, PhD
Scholarship Review Panel
Katherine Abriam-Yago, RN, EdD
Michelle Anastasi, RN, MS, CCRN
Elizabeth Carson, RN, MS
Damon Cottrell, RN, MS, CCRN, CCNS,
CEN
Marcia Elliott, RN, BSN, CCRN
Renie Feingold, RN, BSN
Jane Grimberg, RN, MS, CCRN
Sonya Hardin, RN, PhD, CCRN
Susan Helms, RN, MSN, CCRN
Kathy Hites
Linda Ireland, RN, MS
Connie Jaenicke, RN
Mary Lewis-Wood, RN, MSN, EdD, CCRN
Elizabeth Rogan, BSN, MA
Joyce Roth, RN, MSN, CCRN, CNA
Michele Scott, RN, BSN
Nelson Tuazon, RN, MSN, CNAA
M. Cecilia Wendler, RN, PhD, CCRN
Diane Wrobleski, RN, MS, CEN
Student
Nurses Advisory Team
Katherine Abriam-Yago, RN, EdD
Jennifer Ahrens, RN, BSN, CCRN
Melinda Bender, RN, MSN, CCRN
Frances Brown, RN, MSNc, CCRN
Stephen Campbell, RN, MSN, AA, CCRN,
CEN
Richard DeMeola, RN, BSN, CCRN, CEN
Diana Eisnaugle, RN, CCRN
Jo Ann Jenkins, RN, MSN, CCRN
Nancy King, RN, MSN, CCRN, ANP, NP
Carol Manning, RN, MS, CCRN, NP
Kimberly Martin, RN, MSN, CCRN
Catherine McCoy-Hill, RN, MSN, CCRN
Joann Morris, RN, BS
Nate Parker, RN
Deborah Posey, RN, ADN, CCRN
John Pozar, RN, BS, BA, CCRN, CEN
Ruthie Robinson, RN, MSN, CCRN, CEN
Elliot Stetson, RNC, MSN, CCRN
Mary Watkins, RN
Paula Weaver, RN
Marilyn Yergler, RN, BS, BA, CCRN |
Aug. 15 Is Deadline to Apply: ICU Design
Citation to Recognize Exceptional Planning
for Care Delivery
Aug. 15 is the deadline to submit
applications for the 2002 ICU Design
Citation, jointly sponsored by AACN, the
Society of Critical Care Medicine and the
American Institute of Architects Committee
on Architecture for Health.
This award honors an adult critical care
unit that combines functional ICU design
with the humanitarian delivery of critical
care. In addition to a $500 cash award, the
winner receives complimentary registration
for one person to attend each of the
organization's annual meetings and a plaque
to display in the unit.
Materials submitted each year by winning and
runner-up entries are compiled into an ICU
design video and booklet, which is a
valuable tool for ICU design teams as they
seek ideas. Another publication, titled
Critical Care Unit Design and Furnishing, is
available to help team members make an
optimal contribution from design conception
to fruition.
For more information or to obtain an
application, contact Colette Punda at SCCM,
(847) 827-7659.
AACN-CCRN
Ambassadors Network Spreads the �Word'
Critical care nurses across the country are
poised to spread the word about AACN and
AACN Certification Corporation. They are
part of the AACN-CCRN ambassadors corps,
which is seeking to establish a strong,
grassroots network of liaisons in every
institution and nursing school in the
country.
The ambassador group is made up of CCRNs,
CCNSs and members of AACN who want to
strengthen their connection to AACN and
certification at the national level and to
help connect their local communities with
the important work of the association. To
assist in this effort, AACN has developed an
array of resources for recruiting new
members and promoting the value of
certification.
AACN-CCRN ambassadors also serve as conduits
for receiving and relaying up-to-date
information to their coworkers, managers,
administrators and units. They receive
regular communication regarding AACN
resources, services, positions and goals.
In addition, these volunteers are a valuable
link in furthering AACN's mission and vision
by connecting with other critical care
nurses in their communities and promoting
the value of nursing in a range of settings,
including community and school health and
career fairs.
If you are interested in becoming an
AACN-CCRN ambassador, complete the form
below and return it to: AACN, Attn:
Ambassador Program, 101 Columbia, Aliso
Viejo, CA 92656; fax, (949) 448-5518. You
may also sign up online.
Public Policy Update
Staffing and
Patient Outcomes
Background: A recent study of nurse staffing
levels found that they directly impact
patient outcomes. Funded by the Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality, the study
analyzed data that confirmed a direct link
between the number of RNs and the time they
spend with patients and whether patients
develop serious complications or die while
in the hospital. The study is part of an
ongoing collaboration within the Department
of Health and Human Resources to improve
nursing care in American hospitals.
Staffing Ratios
Status: As part of its accreditation
process, the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations
plans to implement staffing standards that
will base adequate staff levels on patient
outcomes, instead of the nurse-to-patient
ratios mandated in California and favored by
some unions that represent nurses.
The new staffing standards require
healthcare organizations to monitor a
minimum of four indicators, which must
include two human resource indicators, such
as overtime use, and two clinical or service
indicators, such as patient complaints or
patient falls. The healthcare organization
must then analyze the collected data with
respect to staffing effectiveness and adjust
staff levels accordingly. To maintain JCAHO
accreditation, hospitals had to start
tracking their chosen indicators by July 1.
Other healthcare organizations must start by
Jan. 1, 2003.
Previously, JCAHO's staffing standards
relied on plans created by the healthcare
organizations themselves. However, JCAHO now
believes that a broader approach will
improve patient care and nurses' job
satisfaction.
AACN's Position: AACN believes that the work
environment in critical care is constantly
changing and that the needs of critically
ill patients are too unpredictable for set
staffing ratios to be a safe solution. AACN
advocates that nurses must insist on
staffing models, such as an
acuity/classification system, which allow
for flexibility in addressing the variables
and outcomes in determining appropriate
staffing levels to effectively meet the
needs of individual patients. Staffing needs
must be determined by the frontline
caregivers.
Bioterrorism
Grants
Status: Health and Human Services Secretary
Tommy Thompson has approved comprehensive
state plans to build stronger public health
systems and better prepare for bioterrorism.
States and local governments will use grant
money to further develop bioterrorism
preparedness plans, upgrade infectious
disease surveillance and investigation,
enhance the readiness of hospital systems to
deal with large numbers of casualties,
expand public health laboratory and
communications capacities, and improve
connectivity between hospitals and city,
local and state health departments to
enhance disease reporting.
The HHS preparedness funding is divided into
two parts. HHS' Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention is providing $918 million to
support bioterrorism, infectious diseases
and public health emergency preparedness
activities statewide. HHS' Health Resources
and Services Administration is providing
$125 million for states to create regional
hospital plans to respond in the event of a
terrorist attack.
Medical Errors
Status: Legislation to enhance patient
safety and reduce medical errors by
providing incentives to encourage voluntary
reporting of information and raising
standards and expectations for continuous
quality improvements has been introduced by
U.S. Sens. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.), Bill Frist
(R-Tenn.), John Breaux (D-La.) and Judd
Gregg (R-N.H.).
"The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
Act" builds on recommendations made in the
landmark IOM study "To Err is Human:
Building a Safer Health System." It provides
legal protections for information submitted
voluntarily to patient safety improvement
systems that are designed solely for the
purposes of quality improvement and patient
safety. It also creates incentives for
voluntary reporting systems that are
nonpunitive and promote learning. The bill
calls on the Agency for Health Care Quality
to coordinate with patient safety
organizations, provide research funding and
disseminate information learned about
improving patient safety.
Medication
Errors
Background: The U.S. Pharmacopeia has
released its MedMARx 2000 Report, the most
comprehensive and current compilation of
medication error data submitted by hospitals
and health systems nationwide. Titled
"Summary of Information Submitted to MedMARx
in the Year 2000: Charting a Course for
Change," this second annual report includes
data for 41,296 errors reported by 184
healthcare facilities. The facilities
include community, government and teaching
institutions of varied size and
characteristics. MedMARx is an
Internet-accessible and anonymous
medication-error-reporting program and
quality improvement tool used to track and
trend medication errors.
Of the errors reported in the MedMARx 2000
Report, 92% were categorized as errors that
occurred and 8% as potential errors. Of the
errors that occurred, 97% were errors that
did not result in patient harm, 3% resulted
in patient harm, 31% did not reach the
patient and 69% reached the patient. Less
than 1% percent-a total of three
records-resulted in patient death.
AACN's Position: AACN recognizes the serious
consequences that medical errors pose to
patients and believes that efforts to reduce
the incidences and solutions to the problems
will require changes to the healthcare
system and collaboration among all
stakeholders. Efforts to improve quality,
create a culture that avoids blame and
develop strategies to foster greater
accountability for quality are priorities
for maintaining patient safety.
Workplace
Violence
Background: New research indicates that
violence in the healthcare workplace is
actually a global phenomenon. Commissioned
by the International Labor Office, the
International Council of Nurses, the World
Health Organization and Public Services
International, the study shows that more
than half of the health sector personnel
surveyed had experienced at least one
incident of physical or psychological
violence in the year previous to the study.
The study highlighted the negative
consequences of such widespread violence on
the delivery of healthcare services, which
can include deterioration of the quality of
care provided and the decision by health
workers to leave the healthcare professions.
This can result in a reduction in health
services available to the general population
and an increase in health costs. In most
countries studied, there were no specific
workplace policies in place to prevent or
respond to workplace violence. This resulted
in under-reporting of violent incidents,
poor follow-up of reported incidents, no
sanction of the perpetrators and
dissatisfied victims.
The groups backing the joint study have
drafted guidelines that take a preventive,
remedial, participative and systematic
approach. Strategies are presented for
workplace violence recognition, risk
assessment, intervention, monitoring and
evaluation.
AACN's Position: Violence in the workplace
is a serious issue that appears to be
increasing and proactively addressing this
issue is important to AACN and the
well-being of all nurses. AACN supports the
American Nurses Association's call for
mandated protections against workplace
violence and endorses the NIOSH/OSHA
guidelines for preventing violence in the
workplace.
For more information about these and other
issues, visit the AACN Web site.
Visit the PDA
Center Online: Technology Can Enhance
Practice
Spurred by feedback from participants at
AACN's 2002 National Teaching Institute and
Critical Care Exposition in Atlanta, Ga.,
AACN has established a new Bookstore link
intended to give critical care nurses easy
access into the world of personal digital
assistant convenience.
Currently available online, are specially
bundled software kits that will put practice
resources at your fingertips. For example,
AACN Critical Care Nurse Kit 1 includes
software versions of Griffith's 5-Minute
Clinical Consult 2002 medical reference,
Davis's DrugGuide for Nurses and the ICU
Recall series. Kit 2 includes the Kaplan
Anatomy to Go test preparation "flash
cards," MedCalc for rapid calculation of
common internal medicine equations and the
ER & ICU ToolBox drug and infusion guide.
You can also find the PDA hardware and
accessories, as well as other software
applications, in this area.
To introduce this new resource, AACN is
offering free shipping for any handheld
device purchased from the PDA Center through
July 31. To take advantage of this saving,
you must enter coupon code AACNJune. In
addition, savings on clinical nursing PDA
software is being offered with grand opening
specials, which also expire July 30.
In the meantime, AACN is developing
additional PDA software applications,
including electronic versions of pocket
reference materials. The Practice CCRN Exam
Questions are also scheduled to be converted
for use on the PDA. In addition, plans are
to place a link from the AACN PDA Center to
various PowerPoint tutorials designed to
educate critical care nurses about the
technology and its relevance to nursing
practice.
Coming in August in Critical Care Nurse
� Methemoglobinemia: A Case Study
� Using a Reservoir Nasal Cannula in Acute
Care
� Even Though I Don't Speak English:
A Letter to Every Healthcare Provider
� Developing a Multidisciplinary Weaning
Unit Through Collaboration
� Using Chest Radiography in the ICU
Subscriptions to Critical Care Nurse and the
American Journal of Critical Care
are included in AACN membership dues.
Looking Ahead
July 2002
July 15 Deadline to apply for the AACN
Circle of Excellence Award program for 2002.
To obtain an awards guide, call (800)
899-2226 (request Item #1011), or visit the
AACN Web site
August 2002
Aug. 15 Deadline to submit nomination
materials for 2003-04 positions.
Aug. 15 Deadline to apply for 2003 ICU
Design Citation. For more information or to
obtain an application, contact Colette Punda
at SCCM, (847) 827-7659.
September 2002
Sept. 1 Deadline to submit research and
creative solutions abstracts for NTI 2003,
May 17 through 22 in San Antonio, Texas. To
obtain abstract forms, call (800) 899-AACN
(2226) and request Item #6007, or visit the
AACN Web site
Sept. 27-Oct. 4 AACN Study Tour to Europe.
To request a brochure, contact Interport,
Ltd., 510 31st Street, Suite G, Newport
Beach, CA 92663; phone, (949) 673-3596; fax,
(949) 673-1007; e-mail,
interportltd@msn.com.
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