Looking out at sunless skies, we must remind ourselves that it is, indeed, "summer in Seattle." Here at KCNA, we are spending summer hours on planning for next year, in particular planning CNE programs for the fall. Watch future editions of
News2Use
for details.
Hope you can join us!
-- The Staff of KCNA
p.s. Please note that the KCNA Website,
www.kcnurses.org
,
has been updated to be mobile friendly, allowing access from any of your mobile devices!
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News2Use is published monthly for KCNA members and other nurses throughout King County. To comment or submit content, email [email protected].
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Infection Control
As You Know: Nurses Play a Huge Role
If there is one group of clinicians pivotal to the success of quality improvement initiatives regarding hand hygiene, it's the nurses who work on the front lines of patient care. Nurses tend to be patient advocates, expected to empower patients to speak up on their own behalf, while also stepping up and enforcing hand hygiene measures with colleagues at all levels. Mayo Clinic Florida has several initiatives in place to help nurses comply with hand hygiene standards, while coaching patients and reminding colleagues to do the same. Read more here.
But. . . Less than 20% Comply with Control Standards
According to a study in
American Journal of Infection Control
, just 17.4% of ambulatory care nurses reported compliance with all nine standard precautions for infection prevention. "Self-reported data might be an overestimate of actual compliance and that makes these results of particular concern for potential exposure to bloodborne diseases," said the study authors. "Overall, the ambulatory care nurses chose to implement some behaviors and not others," putting them at risk for acquiring a bloodborne infection. More information, including the nine standard precautions, available here.
And. . . FDA Investigates Hand Sanitizers
Use of alcohol-based sanitizers is prevalent these days, and the Food and Drug Administration wants to know more about them. The FDA has requested more scientific evidence to prove that hand sanitizers are both safe and effective. In particular, the FDA will be investigating whether sanitizers might be harmful to pregnant women and children. The agency will investigate three ingredients in these products: ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and benzalkonium chloride. Click here for more information.
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Nursing News and Clinical Issues
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WCN releases data snapshots for Washington
The Washington Center for Nursing has released "New Data Snapshots for RNs, LPNs and ARNPs," with a plethora of information about numbers of nurses in various categories, nurse demographics, shortage or surplus?, and more. To read the release, click
here.
Comprehensive update on Zika
The World Health Organization has declared the current Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic a public health emergency of international concern.
L
ack of vaccines and reliable diagnostic tests, broad geographical distr
ib
ution of mosquito species that can transmit the virus, and absence of population immunity in newly affected countries are causes for concern.
The ongoing ZIKV pandemic represents an emergency for general populations, especially pregnant women, blood transfusion recipients, and immunosuppressed patients. Oxford Journals, Clinical Infectious Diseases has published an extensive update called "Zika Virus: Implications for Public Health," which includes sections on fundamental virology, epidemiology, transmission, clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, prevention, and impact on blood donor selection. Read the update here.
Zika vaccine trials in humans
I
n a first for Zika virus vaccine development, Inovio Pharmaceuticals has announced FDA clearance to launch a phase 1 clinical trial of a vaccine it is developing with GeneOne Life Science. The trial of this DNA-based vaccine is launching sooner than projected. Details are available here.
Bacteriophage may be useful to fight antibiotic resistance
Researchers at Yale have discovered a virus called a bacteriophage that may be useful in fighting antibiotic resistance. The virus has the ability to attack the common multi-drug resistant organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause deadly infections in humans. Ultimately, researchers believe the bacteriophage can be used along with antibiotics to treat patients with severe burns, surgical wounds, cystic fibrosis and other conditions that compromise the immune system. Learn more.
New technology to detect skin cancers
New technology that helps detect skin cancers early could be transformed into a commonplace tool for clinicians. Researchers at The University of Queensland have developed a prototype that can differentiate tumor from healthy skin using laser-based imaging, providing new methods for assessing skin lesions even before there is a visible change. Despite advances in treatment, the best predictor for survival is early detection. Read more.
CDC committee votes down use of 16/17 nasal spray for flu
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has
voted that live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)
not
be used during the 2016-2017 flu season. The vote is based on data showing poor or relatively lower effectiveness of LAIV in 2013-16. ACIP continues to recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The LAIV recommendation must be reviewed and approved by the CDC director before it becomes policy. Click here for more information.
Small trial uses systems approach to memory disorders
Results from quantitative MRI and neuropsychological testing show unprecedented improvements in 10 patients with early Alzheimer's disease (AD) or its precursors following treatment with a programmatic and personalized therapy. Results from an approach called "metabolic enhancement for neurodegeneration" were published in the journal
Aging
. The study is the first to objectively show that memory loss in patients can be reversed, and improvement sustained, using a complex, personalized program that involves comprehensive changes in diet, brain stimulation, exercise, optimization of sleep, specific pharmaceuticals and vitamins, and multiple additional steps that affect brain chemistry. More details are available here.
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Continuing Nursing Education
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Learn about suicide prevention
The University of Washington School of Nursing and co-providers will offer Suicide Prevention Training on two upcoming dates -- September 15 and March 10, 2017, 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. at Shoreline Conference Center. The conferences are designed for RNs, LPNs and advanced practice nurses, and offer 6.4 CNE contact hours. Click here for more information or to register.
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Third Annual Seattle/King County Clinic in October
Organizations across the state will come together October 27-30 for the Seattle/King County Clinic at Key Arena, and KCNA is one of the clinic sponsors. This free, volunteer-driven health clinic provides a full range of medical, dental and vision services to underserved and vulnerable populations. Over the past two years, with volunteer help, the clinic has provided $6.1 million in care to 7,400 people in need. This is a great way to serve the community and, thankfully, volunteer positions fill quickly. If you are interested or would like information, visit here today.
Hope Heart requesting volunteers
The Hope Heart Institute invites nurses and nursing students to volunteer at a variety of health promotion events. To ask questions or sign up, contact
Volunteer Coordinator Jaclyn Ng.
* Kent Summer Playgrounds/Terrific Tuesdays
Seeking two volunteers at each event below, to assist in educating families about heart health, disease and prevention. Events feature interactive nutrition and physical activities, and the inflatable Mega Heart. Join us for one or more of these fun events!
Tuesday, July 19 * 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Tot Lot 2, 2nd Ave N & W Cloudy St, Kent
Tuesday, July 26 * 12:30-1:30 p.m.
West Fenwick, 3808 Reith Rd, Kent
Tuesday, August 2 * 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Morrill Meadows, 10600 SE 248th St, Kent
Tuesday, August 9 * 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Tot Lot 1, 1st Ave & W Crow St, Kent
* Alaska Airline Health & Safety Fair
Wednesday, August 3 * 9 a.m.-Noon or Noon-4 p.m.
SeaTac Airport
Seeking two volunteers (nurses, nursing students or EMTs) for each shift, to increase awareness of health and safety, promote healthy living through education, and encourage participation in activities in the community. Participants will be offered blood pressure screenings and resources. Specify your preferred shift.
* Big Day of Play
Saturday, August 13 * 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Rainier Beach Community Playfields
Seeking one or two volunteers to assist at outreach booth, providing smoothie samples at the Hope's Smoothie Bike, sponsored by Safeway.
* Othello Music and Arts Festival
Sunday, August 14 * 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Othello Park
Seeking one or two volunteers for outreach booth and to offer smoothie samples from Smoothie Bike.
* PLAN AHEAD. . .
The Woodinville to Redmond Wine and Beer Country Half Marathon will take place Saturday, September 17 in Woodinville. The race is a scenic 13.1-mile course among vineyards and along the Sammamish River to the Wine and Music Festival. The festival features fabulous wines, locally crafted microbrews, and much more!
Volunteers are needed (various shifts) to set up, register participants and provide first aid. Hope Heart will receive a $50 donation for each volunteer shift covered. Visit
Destination Race Volunteer Registration
to select your shift(s) and be sure to select The Hope as your charity. Register today as volunteer slots fill quickly for this fun event.
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Piping hot drinks may lead to esophageal cancer
Beverages hotter than 149 degrees F may increase the risk of tumors of the es
ophagus, according to scientists from 10 countries. They met at the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer in May to determine if drinking coffee, mate or other very hot beverages causes cancer.
Results
were published in the June 15 edition of The Lancet Oncology.
What does it mean to "eat in moderation"?
Though "eat in moderation" might be considered good advice, a new study suggests the term may be an ineffective guide. Researchers found that the more people like a food, the more forgiving their definitions of "moderation." The study adds to a growing body of literature that suggests people are poor judges of the amount of food they consume. The study's author also notes a general backlash against dieting and trend toward eating by the "rule of moderation." More about the study here.
Three whole grains a day will lower risk of death
According to research in the journal Circulation, eating at least three servings of whole grains every day could lower your risk of death, and the more whole grains consumed, the lower the death rate goes. Meanwhile, average consumption in the U.S. remains below one serving a day.
According to researchers, when three servings (48 grams) were consumed daily the rates declined:
20 percent for total deaths; 25 percent for cardiovascular deaths; and 14 percent for cancer-related deaths. Take a closer look here.
To salt or not to salt: That is the question
You may want to take this story with "a grain of salt." A large worldwide study has found that, contrary to popular belief, low-salt diets may not be beneficial and may actually increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and death compared to average salt consumption. The study suggests that the only people who need to worry about reducing sodium in their diet are those with hypertension (high blood pressure) and high salt consumption. Click here to read the abstract.
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National Health Observation
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Increase Awareness of Cleft & Craniofacial Anomalies
July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month. These anomalies affect thousands of infants, children, teens and adults in the U.S. each year. Some are born with congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate, others with more complex, life-threatening craniofacial conditions. Still others experience burns or other accidents, or are diagnosed with various head or skin diseases. For more information on these conditions, and how they may be treated, click below.
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4649 Sunnyside Avenue North Room 352 Seattle, WA 98103
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