Critical Care Newsline — November 29, 2012

Connect with AACN

NEWS - CDC updates NECC information

AACN NEWS - Easier access to AJCC and CCN

ACTION - Register for 2013 TeamSTEPPS course

EVIDENCE - Studies on acute pancreatitis, surgical checklists

RESOURCES - Guideline on stable ischemic heart disease

Kathleen Heinrich, in "The Power of Ten 2011-2013: Nurse Leaders Address the Profession's Ten Most Pressing Issues," by various authors

Nominate for 2014 Distinguished Research Lectureship

Nominate a nationally recognized nurse researcher, who must be an AACN member, to be the next AACN Distinguished Research Lecturer. Honorees represent a legacy of contributions to acute and critical care nursing. Funded by a grant from Philips Healthcare, Andover, Mass., the award recognizes nurses whose program of research significantly influences high acuity and critical care. Submit nominations by Saturday, Dec. 1.

Apply for HAI reduction award

For the third year, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Critical Care Societies Collaborative, of which AACN is a member, are sponsoring a program to recognize teams of critical care professionals and healthcare institutions for outstanding leadership to eliminate or reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).Apply for an award by Dec. 19.

Submit poster abstract for Patient Safety Congress

Submit a poster abstract for the National Patient Safety Foundation's 15th Annual Patient Safety Congress, May 8-10, 2013, in New Orleans. Deadline is Dec. 28.

Register for 2013 TeamSTEPPS Train-the-Trainer course

Register for a two-day Train-the-Trainer course for TeamSTEPPS, an evidence-based set of tools for improving communication and teamwork skills among healthcare professionals. A total of 15 courses will take place from January to September 2013 at five regional training centers.

Give the gift of learning at NTI

Plan for the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI) — Saturday, May 18 through Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Boston, with an AACN gift certificate. Give a nurse colleague access to NTI's essential knowledge, resources and networking opportunities.

Participate in study on political awareness, actions of critical care nurses

Joe Degitz and Maureen Cluskey, nurse researchers at Bradley University, Peoria, Ill., are conducting a study to measure the political awareness and actions of critical care nurses. Participate by completing the survey, which takes about 10 minutes. Contact Degitz via email or phone, (309) 677-2571, or call Cluskey at (309) 677-2540 if you have questions.

Complete survey to enter drawing for gift certificate

We invite you to share your suggestions and comments on the revised AACN CriticalCare eNewsline by participating in a short survey. Once you complete the survey, you will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift certificate for the AACN Online Bookstore.

Cardiac tamponade after removal of temporary pacer wires not always associated with changes in vital signs, says study in AJCC

"Cardiac Tamponade After Removal of Temporary Pacer Wires" is rare and not consistently associated with changes in vital signs, according to this study in November's American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC), but dyspnea, bleeding and other factors may indicate early onset.

CNE of the Month: Study in AJCC finds many family members' psych symptoms linger more than three months after ICU experience

"Psychological Symptoms of Family Members of High-Risk Intensive Care Unit Patients," a continuing nursing education (CNE) article in November's American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC), finds that family members' symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression significantly decreased three months after the ICU experience but noted that many family members still had significant risk for PTSD and borderline anxiety and depression.

Studies on insulin infusions and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency

December's Critical Care Medicine includes 1) "Association of Low Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Acute Kidney Injury in the Critically Ill," which finds deficiency of 25-hydroxyvitamin D before hospital admission is a "significant predictor of acute kidney injury and mortality" in critically ill patients; and 2) "Guidelines for the Use of an Insulin Infusion for the Management of Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Patients," which suggests "the insulin regimen and monitoring system be designed to avoid and detect hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤70 mg/dL) and to minimize glycemic variability."

Studies on acute pancreatitis, surgical checklists

December's Annals of Surgery contains two studies of interest to nurses: 1) "Determinant-Based Classification of Acute Pancreatitis Severity: An International Multidisciplinary Consultation," which provides concise, up-to-date definitions to improve consistency around the world; and 2) "A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness, Compliance, and Critical Factors for Implementation of Safety Checklists in Surgery," which concludes compliance with checklists is "good overall," and they are "effective and economic tools that decrease mortality and morbidity."

Probiotics reduce Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, study says

"Probiotics for the Prevention of Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis," published online Nov 13 by Annals of Internal Medicine, concludes "moderate-quality" evidence from 20 trials including 3,818 participants suggests that probiotics reduce the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, without increasing clinically important adverse events.

CDC updates New England Compounding Center (NECC) information

On Nov. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta announced an increase in the number of patients with fungal infections who received an injection with a contaminated preservative-free MPA steroid from New England Compounding Center (NECC), Framingham, Mass. Infections include epidural abscess, phlegmon, discitis, vertebral osteomyelitis or arachnoiditis at or near the site of injection; cases of fungal meningitis also continue to be reported. Access CDC's diagnostic and treatment guidance and more information about the outbreak. As of Nov. 26, a total of 496 cases, including 36 deaths, have been reported in 20 states.

FDA approves LVAD for patients awaiting heart transplant

On Nov. 20, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Rockville, Md., approved the HeartWare Ventricular Assist System, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) manufactured by HeartWare Inc., Framingham, Mass., for patients with end-stage heart failure who are waiting for a heart transplant.

The Joint Commission releases patient and worker safety monograph

On Nov. 20, The Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., released a free monograph, "Improving Patient and Worker Safety: Opportunities for Synergy, Collaboration and Innovation," which promotes greater awareness of the potential synergies between patient and worker health and safety activities. The monograph includes case studies and action steps that organizations can take to improve safety.

New guideline on stable ischemic heart disease

Access "2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines, and the American College of Physicians, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons," published online Nov. 19 by Circulation.

AHA releases statement on Ankle-Brachial Index

Access "Measurement and Interpretation of the Ankle-Brachial Index: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association," which Circulation published online Nov. 16.

Access USP compounding standards

Access standards for compounding medicine from the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), Rockville, Md.

AACN CSI Academy adds new cohort in Boston

AACN Clinical Scene Investigator (CSI) Academy expands to greater Boston with thelaunch of a seven-hospital cohort this month. AACN CSI Academy is a national nurse leadership and skill-building program that empowers bedside nurses to improve patient outcomes, with bottom-line impact. Teams of four nurses from each Boston hospital will engage in collaborative, hands-on training for 16 months under the tutelage of faculty lead Dave Hanson, past president of the AACN Board of Directors. In tandem with completing the program, participating hospitals will share results and best practices with the broader nursing community through conferences, papers and a Web portal.

Easier access to AJCC and CCN

Now you can use your AACN log-in for direct access to American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC) and Critical Care Nurse (CCN). You can also continue to access the journals through the publications portal on the main AACN website.

AACN chapter donates to American Red Cross; 'dares' others to do the same

AACN'sNorth Central Wisconsin Chapter continued its tradition of charitable giving by making a $500 donation to the American Red Cross in support of disaster relief. They would like to encourage other chapters in Regions 8 and 10 to "Dare To" join them in supporting this cause.

Dare To

From November's AACN Bold Voices
"Dare to Explore Possibilities"— Kathryn Roberts, AACN President 2012-2013