The Alaska Nurse - Vol. 57 No.3 - August 2007

The Alaska Nurse

Circulation 8,000 to every Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Student Nurse in Alaska

Volume 57 No. 3

The Official Publication of the Alaska Nurses Association

New AaNA Position Paper “RN Supervision of EMT/Paramedic Student Training in Alaska” In April of 2007, the Alaska Nurses Association Board of Directors approved a position paper forwarded by the professional practice task force. The position paper deals with the issue of whether staff RNs should supervise EMT/ paramedic students for invasive procedures and medication administration. The report is included in its entirety in this edition of the Alaska Nurse.

Issue: Should staff RNs supervise EMT/ Paramedic students for invasive procedures and medication administration?

The AaNA Professional Practice Task Force recommends the following be used as guidance when considering this issue: 1. RNs should continue as a category of professional that is eligible to become EMT instructors. a. When RN-EMT II/III instructors teach EMT courses, the curriculum has been approved by 12 AAC 40.320 under the authority of AS 08.61.100, Alaska Medical Statutes and Regulations. b. Under these circumstances, the RN-EMT instructor is fulfilling the responsibilities of an EMT instructor and not the responsibilities of a staff registered nurse.

2. The most appropriate supervision of EMT/Paramedic students is performed by program faculty, authorized program preceptors, and/or medical doctors.

3. RNs should not delegate invasive procedures or medication administration to EMT/Paramedic students.

4. RN supervision of medication administration by an EMT/Paramedic student in the hospital is not appropriate.

5. AaNA would support exploration of RN supervision of venipuncture performed

by EMT/Paramedic students using the following considerations: a. The BON has oversight and/or coordination of EMT/Paramedic training curriculum. b. Staff RNs have the right to decline to supervise EMT/Paramedic students if, in the RN’s professional judgment, it would interfere with the RN’s ability to safely provide patient care. c. The EMT/Paramedic program instructor is responsible for overseeing EMT/ Paramedic student practice.

The instructor may be an RN-EMT II/ III instructor or a traditional EMT/ Paramedic instructor. d. The training program, the hospital, and the staff RN have a formal relationship i. Established preceptor training for those staff RNs who desire to participate in supervision of EMT/ Paramedic students ii. Memorandums of agreement are signed and available for review by staff RNs prior to EMT/Paramedic student supervision iii. An EMT/Paramedic instructor is onsite

August 2007

Spotlight: The Alaska Trauma Registry Page 5

e. The EMT/Paramedic student is covered by a separate liability insurance policy through the training program.

Background In 2004, a registered nurse forwarded a concern to the Alaska Board of Nursing regarding the nurse’s ability to teach paramedic students about medications and administration of medications. The Alaska Board of Nursing, in turn, queried the Alaska Board of Medicine regarding who can legally train paramedic students.

In December 2004, the Alaska Board of Nursing opined that a paramedic student qualifies as an Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) as defined in 12 AAC 44.950-990, thus limiting delegating invasive procedures and the administration of medications. The Board of Nursing recommends that “…the supervision of students in the clinical setting be done by an instructor from the paramedic program who is present on-site.” (AK Board of Nursing minutes, December 8-10, 2004) In August 2005, the AK Board of Nursing sent a letter to Governor Murkowski, stating, “The Board of Nursing has determined that it is not appropriate for Registered Nurses to delegate invasive procedures to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic students.”

(Letter from Catherine Giessel, MS, RN, ANP, dated August 8, 2005) At the September 2006 meeting of the AK Board of Nursing, a request to reconsider the December 2004 decision came forward from the Emergency Department Director at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Specifically, the ED Director would like registered nurses to be able to train EMT/Paramedic students to start IVs. The Board of Nursing reaffirmed the decision of 2004.

In December 2006, Rep. Scott Kawasaki (DFbks) introduced HB 36, “An Act related to the authority of Registered Nurses to assist in the training of persons who seek to become emergency medical technicians or mobile intensive care paramedics” The AK Board of Nursing has forwarded its opposition to HB 36A as it existed in January 2007.

Scope of Issue Guiding Principles In previous deliberations about nursing practice issues, the AaNA Professional Practice Committee has recommended that the following Guidelines for Nursing Practice be used by RNs when considering whether a particular skill or task is within the RN’s scope of practice (adapted from the Nursing Practice Guide, Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, P.O. Box 2469, Harrisburg, PA 17105): 1. Is the practice permitted or prohibited by the Alaska nurse practice act or regulations?

2. Does the practice require you to have, and do you in fact have, the

Continued on page 3

Alaska Nurse Alert System Page 8

Alaska Statewide Nurses Conference Page 13

Inside This Issue New AaNA Position Paper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Spotlight: The Alasa Trauma Registry. . . . . . 5 Nurses in the News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Case Management in Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Alaska Nurse Alert System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Advanced Practice Nurses in Alaska. . . . . . . 9 Membership Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 AaNA’s Professional Practice Task Force. . . 11 AaNA District One Banquet Photos. . . . . . . 11 Resources/New Products/Publications . . . . 12 Upcoming Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The AaNA Vision Empowering Alaska nurses to be dynamic leaders, powerful in both the health care and political communities.

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Author Guidelines for the Alaska Nurse The editorial committee welcomes original articles for publication. Preference is given to nursing and health related topics in Alaska.

Authors are not required to be members of the Alaska Nurses Association.

Format and Submission Articles should be Word documents in 10 or 12 point font, single or double spaced.

There is currently no limit on the length of the article. Include the title of the article and headings if applicable. Author’s name should be placed after the title with credentials, organization/and or employer and contact information. Authors must identify potential conflicts of interest, whether of financial or other nature and identify any commercial affiliation if applicable.

All references should be listed at the end of the article. Pictures in black and white

or color are encouraged and may be sent as a jpg. file, as an email attachment or on disc. Photographs sent to the Alaska Nurse will become property of the AaNA. We hope that we will be sent copies, not originals and prefer emailed files. Be sure to spell check, grammar check and second check the article, any website addresses, references or phone numbers. It is recommended you have a colleague review your article before submission.

Prepare the article as a WORD document and attach it to an email to editor@aknurse. org. If you do not have WORD, try pasting the text of the article directly into the body of the email. You may also mail the article on disc to Editor, AK Nurse, Alaska Nurses Association, 3701 East Tudor Road Ste 208, Anchorage, AK 99507. If you have any questions email the Editor, Lynn Hartz at lhartz@alaska.com.

Letters to the Editor If you are interested in writing a letter to the Alaska Nurse, we are interested in printing it! Do you have comments, opinions or questions about nursing and health care in Alaska? Send your letter as an email to editor@aknurse.org. Letters should be limited to 500 words or less. They may be edited for length, clarity and grammar. Remember, the AK Nurse is published every three months so be careful about sending time sensitive material. Be sure to include your name and contact information.

An official publication of the Alaska Nurses Association, 3701 East Tudor Rd., Ste. 208, Anchorage, AK 99507. Tel: 907/274-0827. Web site: www.aknurse.org. Published quarterly.

Materials may not be reproduced without written permission from the Editor. Views stated may not necessarily represent those of the Alaska Nurses Association.

Editor: Lynn E. Hartz, MSN, FNP lhartz@alaska.com AaNA Board of Directors President: Debbie Thompson BSN, RN, CNOR Vice President: Nancy C. Davis, RN, MSN Secretary: Michelle Murphy, RN Treasurer: Martha Clinehens, RN Directors: Labor Council Chair: Donna Phillips, BSN, RN Greater Alaska Director: Sara M. Harvison, RN, BSN Staff Nurse Director: Kathleen A. Gettys, RN, BSN, BA Rural Director: Jane A. Conard, RN Director at Large: Carolyn S. Adkins, RN, MS, COHN-S, CM, COHC Paul T. Mordini, RN Dara M. Whalen, RN, MS AaNA Labor Council Chair—Donna Phillips, RN, BSN Joseph Peacott, RN, OCN Joshua Meals, RN, ADN Deni Callahan, RN Jenni Hancock, RN Julie Torres, RN UAN Rep.—Kathleen A. Gettys, RN, BSN, BA PAMC BU Rep.—Marlene Brehmer, RN Soldotna BU Rep.—Steve Baumgardner, RN Ketchikan BU Rep.—Susan Walsh, RN Affiliate Organizations: Alaska Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives Alaska Nurse Anesthetists Association Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Alaska School Nurses Association Forensic Nurses Association, Alaska Chapter Executive Director: Dianne O’Connell, M.Div. Advertising Rates Contact—Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington St., P.O. Box 216, Cedar Falls, IA 50613, 800-626-4081. AaNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price of advertisement.

New AaNA Position Paper Continued from page 1

specialized nursing knowledge, preparation, experience, skill and competency?

3. Is the practice consistent with the ethical and quality standards embraced by the professional nursing community in the state?

4. Is the practice contained in standards of practice developed by appropriate nursing associations?

5. Are you prepared to accept full responsibility for your action and be accountable to the client or patient?

Discussion 1. The Alaska Board of Nursing has issued an opinion that it is outside of the scope of practice for registered nurses to delegate IV catheter insertion and medication administration to EMT/Paramedic students.

2. It is well accepted that performing IV catheter administration and administering medications are both included in basic nursing curricula in Alaska.

3. The professional nursing community in Alaska is committed to providing high quality care to patients and clients. Achieving national patient safety goals is a high priority for all of Alaska’s nurses, and a significant factor in determining the types of nursing skills that can be delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel.

4 & 5. Registered nurses are ethically required to evaluate the knowledge, skills, and experience before delegating or assigning components of nursing care to others. “Employer policies or directives do not relieve the nurse of responsibility for making judgments about the delegation and assignment of nursing care tasks” (ANA Code of Ethics, 2001).

The profession of nursing is a dynamic discipline with practice boundaries shifting and growing with the expansion and change of knowledge in response to health care needs of the consumer and health care industry. A determination of whether a particular practice or technique falls within the practice of nursing must therefore rely on qualitative criteria rather than a set

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

list of tasks as any particular list would be rapidly out of date. The profession of nursing is impacted and defined by four main institutions: • nursing education curricula • state and national professional nursing association standards, scope of practice statements and certification bodies • state nurse practice acts • workplace job requirements Findings, Alaska Nursing Education Curricula In 2007, there are three Registered Nursing education programs in Alaska, all offered by the University of Alaska Anchorage: o Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Nursing Program o Bachelor of Science (BS), Nursing Program o Master of Science (MS), Nursing Program Students in the two generic nursing education programs receive an introduction to the Alaska Nurse Practice Act by the Executive Officer of the Alaska Board of Nursing. Further, the curricula of both undergraduate nursing programs include learning objectives that relate to delegation of nursing tasks to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).

Findings, Nursing Association Standards, Scope of Practice Statements, and Certification Bodies Is the practice or therapy consistent with the ethical and quality standards embraced by the professional nursing community in the State?

• Standards of care are the skills and learning commonly possessed by members of a profession.

• Standards of Nursing Practice are guidelines for providing high-quality nursing care and criteria for evaluating care.

• Ethics is the science or study of moral values or principles that guide right conduct.

• In Alaska, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice provide the framework for nursing practice. The ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses provides the framework for conduct of nurses.

In August 2005, the Alaska Nurses Association solicited information from Constituent Member Associations (CMAs) regarding RN supervision of EMT/ Paramedic students in clinical experiences. Twelve CMAs responded as follows; note the regulatory authority for EMS in each state: • 4 said “No” (AR, NY, PA, WA) o Arkansas: Section of EMS & Trauma Systems, Board of Health ♣ Training EMT/Paramedics is outside RN scope of practice ♣ Licensed paramedics who work in ERs are considered unlicensed assistive personnel and may not perform paramedic skills in that setting. o New York: EMS & Trauma Prevention ♣ The New York State Department of Health oversees EMS education & approves courses of study. ♣ Preceptors are recommended by the health care facility and approved by the EMT/Paramedic program and physician director; training is then provided. ♣ Staff RNs who are not approved preceptors are not responsible for educating and supervising EMT/Paramedic students. The staff RN would intervene if patients are at risk of harm. ♣ If no program preceptor is present, an EMT/Paramedic student may not perform any procedures on patients. o Pennsylvania: Bureau of EMS, Dept of Health ♣ Training EMT/Paramedics is outside the RN scope of practice. o Washington: Bureau of EMS, Dept of Health ♣ RNs may not delegate piercing of the skin in Washington State.

• 8 said “Yes” (AZ, ANA/California, DE, MO, NV, NC, OH, WI; although OH said no to medications, yes to IV start) o Arizona: EMS regulated by Bureau of EMS & Trauma Systems, AZ Dept of Health Services

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New AaNA Position Paper Continued from page 3

♣ Nurses teach some skills to Paramedic students (IV’s, IM’s, medications). ♣ There is not always a program preceptor with the paramedic student, but the student is assigned to a staff nurse and is required to complete specific procedures and clinical problems (chest pain, shortness of breath). o California: EMS Authority ♣ RNs may train anyone that has authority to be in the setting and perform actions. RNs can train paramedic students on IVs and medication administration, there are no limitations. o Delaware: EMS, Division of Public Health ♣ Delaware Nurses Association not aware of any restrictions. There must be a contract in place for students to be in the facility. o Missouri: Bureau of EMS, Dept of Health & Senior Services ♣ Missouri Nurses Association believes that the Nurse Practice Act broad enough to permit supervising Paramedic students; but also feels that there must be a contractual agreement between the hospital and training entity as well as spelling out liability issues.

o Nevada: Committee on EMS Services, NV State Health Division ♣ RNs can train EMT/Paramedic students in the prehospital setting.

Paramedics cannot perform any skills authorized for prehospital settings within inpatient settings. o Ohio: State EMS Board, Dept of Public Safety ♣ EMT/Paramedic scope of practice is limited to prehospital setting, they function within physician-directed protocols. EMTs that work in ERs are considered unlicensed personnel, so RNs could not delegate medication administration to them. ♣ Physicians may delegate medication administration to EMT/ Paramedics; they may not transfer supervisory aspects of delegation to anyone else but another physician. ♣ Training and delegation for EMT/Paramedic students must come from the instructor or physician. ♣ There isn’t any objection from ONA regarding an experienced emergency room RN becoming a preceptor for EMT/Paramedic students, but that RN should not be solely responsible for overseeing EMT/Paramedic student practice unless that RN is the EMT/Paramedic instructor. o Wisconsin: EMS Advisory Board, Dept Health & Family Services ♣ RNs are licensed at a higher level than EMT/Paramedic students, so can train those students. ♣ About 2/3 of the paramedic course is taught by RNs. In most clinical units, RNs are the preceptors.

Additionally, the Kansas Board of Nursing clarified the RNs role in education and training of EMS personnel in 2005: • The statute allows physicians and professional nurses to supervise EMS students and attendants during training.

• Nurses do not delegate procedures to EMS students; they supervise what has been delegated by the EMS program director/ physician.

• Kansas regulates EMS providers through a separate Board of EMS. Findings, Workplace Job Requirements 1. A valid registered nurse credential fulfills one requirement for EMT II/III Instructor Certification in the State of Alaska.

2. Many Alaska registered nurses become EMT II/III instructors, particularly in small communities.

Additional factors impacting RN supervision of EMT/Paramedic training 1. Definitions of delegation and supervision • Delegation: “The transfer of responsibility for the performance of a task from one individual to another while retaining accountability for the outcome.” (ANA, Principles of Delegation, September 2005, p. 4) • Supervision: “The active process of directing, guiding and influencing the outcome of an individual’s performance of a task. Supervision is generally categorized as on-site (the RN being physically present or immediately available while the task is being performed) or off-site (the RN has the ability to provide direction through various means of written and verbal communications).” (ANA, Principles of Delegation, September 2005, p. 4) 2. Staff RN experiences in Alaska communities • EMT/Paramedic program instructor was not present in the facility while EMT/ Paramedic students were assigned to staff RNs. • EMT/Paramedic program instructor was supervising up to 16 students located in different inpatient units throughout the facility.

• The level of EMT/Paramedic student was not made clear to the staff RN that was expected to provide supervision.

• Memorandums of Understanding/ Agreement were not available to the staff RNs who were expected to provide supervision.

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

Spotlight: The Alaska Trauma Registry

by Juanita Cassellius, LPN The Alaska Trauma Registry (ATR) is an information system of hospitalized patients with serious injury in Alaska, and the treatment they’ve received. It was originally designed to evaluate trauma patient care.

It has been expanded to include information to decrease injuries in Alaska through planning and evaluating injury prevention programs.

“This is especially important in Alaska. Traumatic injuries have been a bigger problem here than in most places. Injuries have causes that can be identified, and if you can protect people from these causes, it can make a big difference,” said Philip Somervell, PhD, Epidemiologist with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in Anchorage.

Emergency Medical Services (IPEMS). This office compiles and maintains ATR data from hospitals. At each Alaska hospital, a specially trained staff member abstracts data from medical records and forwards data to DHSS. ATR Data Uses Hospital and Trauma System QA Review quality of trauma care provided Monitor resource utilization Monitor trends in caseload Compare patient care with national standards (3)

Injury Surveillance and Research Monitor the occurrence of traumatic injuries Design injury prevention programs Inform legislation and/or regulation change Measure the economic impact of injury Evaluation of injury prevention programs

Who is Using the ATR for Injury Surveillance Alaska Department of Health Indian Health Service and Human Services National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Alaska Marine Safety Education Association

Alaska Governor’s Interagency Occupational Safety and Health Workgroup

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Army

Alaska Injury Prevention Center

Continued on page 6 Since 1991, the ATR has collected data from all 24 of Alaska’s acute care hospitals.

The Alaska ATR is one of the nation’s first population-based systems, and one of the most comprehensive registries in the nation.(1) Severe injuries are an area of focus because they are likely to result in the most suffering and disability.(2) The ATR is administered by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Section of Injury Prevention and

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The Alaska Trauma Registry Continued from page 5

Confidentiality is maintained by the ATR according to State law. Privacy is protected by removing identifiers from the record for the patient, physician, hospital, clinic, and ambulance service. (4) One problem for trauma registries everywhere is lack of data. Patient charts are the heart of the clinical information system, and provide most of the ATR data elements. Nurses, physicians and other healthcare providers who chart patient information play a crucial role in data accuracy. When a diagnosis such as a skull fracture is reported, good narrative information in the medical record is extremely helpful: Where was the patient at the time of injury? What important causes and contributing factors were there? For instance, the incident can be charted as: a) Injured in a fall, or b) Pt. works as commercial fishermen, said “I slipped on the icy deck, and fell into an open hatch.” The “b” version is much more useful for figuring out what caused the injury and how to prevent it.

Information about injury at work is useful for prevention research and design for worker safety. What industry was the patient working in? The industry is identified by the activity of the patient’s employer (retail trade, fishing, government, etc). What occupation? The occupation is identified by the work the patient does (manager, mechanic, biologist, etc.). What is the location where the injury happened (garage, fishing vessel deck, front yard of home, etc.)? What protective personal equipment was used (helmet, seat belt, etc.)? Is there an indication that drugs or alcohol were involved?

“Nurses play a huge part in documenting injuries. All the information about the patient may not come out in the ER, and may be found out later

when taking the patient history,” said Karen Lawfer, Health Program Manager with the State of Alaska in Juneau, who uses ATR information for injury prevention planning for IPEMS. The ATR is part of an expanded injury surveillance system, according to Deborah Hull-Jilly, Injury Surveillance and Prevention Programs Director for IPEMS. A new addition is the Alaska Violent Death Reporting System, part of the CDC funded National Violent Death Reporting System. Future plans include establishing a statewide pre-hospitalization data collection system to include less severe injuries, and the medical response to them, for improvement and planning.

Nurses are on the front lines of ATR surveillance, and their contribution is recognized by Hull-Jilly, who said, “We truly appreciate the hospitals' cooperation and the time and effort of the nurses involved in data abstraction/collection.”

The State of Alaska DHSS website has injury prevention materials (example and web address below) based on ATR findings. Data summaries are available online. Researchers are welcome to submit a request for ATR data not available online by contacting: Deborah Hull-Jilly, MPH, CLS - Unit Manager IPEMS, Ph. 907-269-8078 in Anchorage Tariq Ali , MD, MPH– Alaska Trauma Registry Manager, Ph. 907-465-8741 in Juneau

Because of the detailed documentation that both nurses and physicians provide, individuals and industries are able to adapt products and refine procedures that help reduce potential injury for all of us.

“With the help of the ATR, we are making a substantial impact on injury reduction both on a state and national level. This is an accomplishment in which we can all be very proud.”

—Jennifer Henry, RN, NP Trauma Coordinator CPH (Central Peninsula Hospital).

One example of how ATR data has been used by the State of Alaska IPEMS program: Don't Fall For It Alaska!—Fall Prevention "Falls" is the number one cause of injury hospital admission for Alaskans age 30 and up.

A Guide to Fall Prevention has been developed by the State of Alaska Injury Prevention office. This booklet describes ways to reduce fall risk. It also provides a list of additional resources for fall prevention and a home safety checklist.

Alaska Trauma Registry online at: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/ ipems/injury_prevention/trauma.htm or just do a search for Alaska Trauma Registry References: 1) Emergency Nurses Association, Alaska State Chapter website. http:// www.alaskaena.org 2) Am J Ind Med. 1998 Nov;34(5):493-8. Surveillance for nonfatal workrelated injuries in Alaska, 1991- 1995. Husberg BJ, Conway GA, Moore MA, Johnson MS. 3) Work-Related Injury Surveillance Using the Alaska Trauma Registry.

Brad Husberg. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2002) Presentation 4) Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health, Injury Prevention and Emergency Medical Services website. http:// www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/ipems/injury_prevention/trauma.htm [Author Juanita Cassellius works in health research in Anchorage, and has a B.A. in Journalism.]

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

Nurses in the News Governor Palin Appoints Three Nurses to Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council May 8, 2007, Juneau, AK—Governor Sarah Palin today announced the appointment of 14 Alaskans to the Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council.

Cathy Giessel of Anchorage is a registered nurse and advanced nurse practitioner. Giessel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Nursing Science from the University of Alaska.

Giessel’s nursing and advanced nurse practitioner career and experience spans more than 30 years.

Giessel chaired Governor Palin’s Department of Health, Education and Social Services Transition Advisory Team. She is the current chair of the Alaska Board of Nursing and a lifelong Alaskan.

Donna Fenske of Homer served the State of Alaska as a public health nurse from 1979 to 2004. Most recently, Fenske has provided community health aide services in Port Graham and Nanwalek clinics, and provided nursing services to K-12 students in rural communities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

She has written several publications, participated in research projects, and is a guest lecturer. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska (UAA) and is a recipient of the UAA Excellence in Nursing Award.

Thomas Hendrix, PhD, of Anchorage is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska School of Nursing. Hendrix specializes in the policy, economics, assessment, and fundamentals of health care. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration and a Master of Science in Adult Health Nursing, and a doctorate in Health Policy

and Administration. Hendrix has authored several journal publications, and frequently lectures.

The Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council was created under Administrative Order 232 by Governor Sarah Palin on February 15, 2007.

The purpose of the council is to recognize the need to develop a statewide plan to identify shortterm and long-term strategies to effectively address the issues of access to, and cost and quality of, health care for Alaskans. The council is to prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature, by January 1, 2008, a health care action plan. [source: http://gov.state.ak.us/archive.php?id=368&type=1]

Dixie Orsini Nursing Scholarships Awarded Fairbanks District 4 Nurses Association awarded the Dixie Orsini Scholarships recently to three local students. The recipients are Celine Tamai, University of Portland; Leah Johnson, Johns Hopkins University, and Carolyn Adkins RN BSN MS, University of Phoenix and Walden University. All three recipients presented outstanding credentials to the scholarship committee.

Ms. Johnson is enrolled in a joint Bachelor of Science in Nursing/Master of Science degree to become licensed as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, and Ms. Adkins in an on-line program leading to a Master of Nursing Science Nurse Practitioner qualification.

Ms. Tamai will be a beginning student in the University of Portland School of Nursing.

Scholarships have been awarded every year since 1990. Previous awardees are now employed in nursing at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and other local health care agencies, including the Fairbanks Health Center.

Dixie Orsini was an active member of the

Case Management in Alaska

by Bonnie Marcil RN, BSN, CCM Case Manager Premera Blue Cross/ Blue Shield of Alaska

Why does the state of Alaska require their case managers to be located within the State? Let me name a few practical reasons.

In the State of Alaska we have only a handful of healthcare facilities for a State that is twice as wide as the state of Texas and a population of more than 600,000 people.

As a case manager working in the State for several years I have learned some small but essential elements of Alaska living that make all the difference in case management.

For example, Valdez has a hospital but no home health services; the ferry from Ketchikan to the island village of Metlakatla operates three times a week, and in the villages often your village aide are your eyes and ears to evaluate your member.

Although Anchorage has increasing brought more and more services to Alaskans over the years, many specialized services must still be sought in Seattle and beyond. Usually the physician has chosen the specialized physician and hospital without regard to the members insurance. The Case manager must take an assertive role to determine if the providers are enrolled, inform the member of their options and contact the hospital Utilization review department if prior authorization is required for inpatient stays.

Obtaining services our members need within their healthcare policy means finding the closest provider that provides the service, arranging travel and doing this within the time constraints needed by the member and the physician.

Throughout the hospitalization or outpatient care “outside” the State, the Case Manager is the lifeline for the member, the discharge planner and review department regarding services available in the State of Alaska.

A member returning to St. Lawrence Island, Nunivak, or the Pribilof Islands may suddenly find the islands are “weathered in” and all flights cancelled until further notice. Where does your

member go now to wait? And will his insurance cover it?

These are the kind of case management dilemma’s that face us here and case managers familiar with the resources of the land are able to meet the challenge.

The “kings” (salmon) run in the springtime, the “reds” run in the summer and the “silvers” run last on the Kenai. Come the fall, hunters are out to “bag a moose” while natives near the Bering Sea are harpooning a whale to stock their winter caches.

There is nothing like living in Alaska to understand the culture, the people and the healthcare resources available.

Fairbanks Nurses Association who worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital and as an office nurse for Dr. Schaible. The scholarship fund was established by her family and friends after her death in 1984.

The scholarship board gives special consideration to applicants who may not meet criteria for other nursing scholarship programs.

Anyone wishing to donate to the scholarship fund, or requiring more information, may contact Ruth Benson RN, Fund Trustee, at 907-479-6912.

Nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner advocates, recipients of the State Award for Excellence, were honored on Thursday, June 21, at an awards ceremony and reception held during the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) 22nd National Conference in Indianapolis Kitty Wellman, MS, PNP, FNP, Advanced Nurse Practitioner of Anchorage received the 2007 State Award for Nurse Practitioner Excellence, founded in 1991, which recognizes a nurse practitioner (NP) in a state who demonstrates excellence in practice, research, nurse practitioner education, or community affairs.

Nurse practitioner Kitty Wellmann works at Providence Medical Center's pediatric intensive care unit conducting training in advanced critical care. She is the first Advanced Nurse Practitioner credentialed as a member of the Pediatric Critical Care Service at Providence Alaska Medical Center and travels around the state teaching Pediatric Advanced Life Support and stabilization of the critically ill child.

Scott Wellman, MD received the State Award for Nurse Practitioner Advocate an award to recognize the efforts of individuals, other than nurse practitioners, who have made a significant contribution toward increasing the awareness and acceptance of the NP. He has spoken in public on behalf on NPs and provides education to Nurse Practitioners and NP students.

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Alaska Nurse AlertSystem System Alaska Nurse Alert VOLUNTEER FORM VOLUNTEER FORM (All ** items must be completed) First Name ** Last Name ** RN License Number ** LPN License Number **

RN Area of Experience (Check all that apply)

Alaska Nurse Alert System The purpose of the Alaska Nurse Alert System (ANAS) is to identify and mobilize nurses to serve as volunteers and be prepared and ready to respond in public health and community emergencies.

Activation could be for any event that overwhelms local resources. These events may include: disease outbreak, earthquake, flood, volcanic eruption, major wildfire or a terrorism event.

No mandatory training is required to be an ANAS volunteer. Trainings are free and available for volunteers through teleconferences and online.

CEU’s are issued for these trainings.

You can sign up by completing and mailing the form below or at www.nursealert.org. For further information or questions please contact LeMay Hupp, ANAS Coordinator at 274-0827 or email: info@nursealert.org

Pediatrics Orthopedics Nursing Admin Home Health

Medical / Surgical Emergency Room School Nursing Public Health

OB / GYN Critical Care Nurse Educator Psych / Mental Health

RN Area of Certification (Check all that apply) Pediatrics Orthopedics Nursing Admin Home Health

Medical / Surgical Emergency Room School Nursing Public Health

OB / GYN Critical Care Nurse Educator Psych / Mental Health

Email address **

Address ** City ** Zip ** Home Phone ** Work Phone Cell Phone Fax Employer ** Position (Check One) Staff Nurse Nurse Administrator Nurse Practitioner

Public / Community Health Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing Education

Work Routine (Check One) Full Time Part Time

Home Health School Nurse Other

Retired Continued on page 9

Alaska Nurse Alert System Volunteer Form Continued from page 8

Nurse Practitioner Area of Experience (Check all that apply) Pediatrics Orthopedics Nursing Admin Home Health

Medical / Surgical Emergency Room School Nursing Public Health

OB / GYN Critical Care Nurse Educator Psych/Mental Health

Nurse Practitioner Area of Certification (Check one) Adult Adv. Diabetes Mgmt Gerontological Pediatric

Adult Psych / Mental Child/ Adolescent Psych Family Psych Public / Community

OB/GYN Family Nursing Administration Other

Other Certifications – Current (Check all that apply) CPR ETT ACLS

First Aid EMT PALS

Wilderness Medicine FEMA Training

Red Cross Disaster Red Cross Sheltering

Other Certifications – Past (Check all that apply) CPR ETT ACLS

First Aid EMT PALS

Wilderness Medicine FEMA Training

Red Cross Disaster Red Cross Sheltering

Check all that apply

Please check all levels of care for which you are currently skilled to provide.

1 Persons who are independent and capable of self-care requiring only minimal support for minor illness and injuries.

2 Persons with conditions requiring observation or minor supportive assistance in activities of daily living. Independent with some family/caretaker support.

3 Persons with conditions requiring some level of privacy or separation but do not require skilled or continuous health care from facility staff.

4 Persons requiring frequent or continuous surveillance for potentially life threatening conditions or requires bedding or bathroom facilities not available in the shelter.

5 Persons requiring skilled care, continuous observation, or special equipment and services usually found in a hospital.

All information will be kept confidential and will not be sold or released to a third party who is not an ANAS partner.

Fax: 272-0292 or Mail to: ANAS, 3701 E Tudor Road, # 208, Anchorage, AK 99507

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page

Advanced Practice Nurses in Alaska 2007 Results are in from a study sponsored by the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association (ANPA) last Fall. Barbara Berner, PhD. conducted a survey on practice characteristics of Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in Alaska. ANPs licensed with Alaska addresses were contacted through letters and the internet and 180 out of 465surveys were returned. Complete survey results can be viewed on the ANPA website, alaskanp.org.

Total ANPs licensed, and practicing 465 in Alaska ANPs practicing in urban areas ANPs practicing in rural areas In subregions On road system Off road system In remote areas

74.9% 31.1% 12.3% 9.0% 12.2% 1.7%

7.6% of NPs are sole licensed providers in their communities.

26.5% of NPs practice in medically underserved communities.

NPs in Alaska average 1884 primary care visits per year.

NPs in Alaska provide 825,192 primary care visits per year (based on a total of 438 NPs who provide primary care services).

76.4% of NPs accept Medicare reimbursement for services.

86.3% of NPs accept Medicaid reimbursement for services.

NPs care for the underserved African American AI/AN Asian/P Islander Hispanic/Latina Other Uninsured 100% Poverty Level Not Fluent in English

Average % of Practice 7.8% 30.5% 7.7% 6.9% 3.5% 35.0% 43.2% 9.1%

% of Alaska Pop. 3.7% 16.0% 5.2% 5.1% 19.0% 11.2%

* NPs may practice in more than one area

Page 10—Alaska Nurse—August 2007

Scholarship Winner

Membership Application Advancing and Supporting the Profession of Nursing Integrity Professionalism ~ Advocacy Empowerment~ Representation

Membership Categories

Full Membership—Employed Full-time or Part-time Reduced Membership—Not Employed * EDPP is the monthly Electronic Dues

Full time student Payment Plan Amount

New graduate from basic Nursing Education program, within first six = Yearly dues/12

months after graduation (first year only), or months + $.50 per

62 years of age or over and not earning more than Social Security allows. month service charge Special Membership—Not employed and 62+ years or totally disabled

Dues

AaNA President Debbie Thompson congratulates Jennifer Sandy, recipient of the Alaska Nurses District I $1,000 scholarship. Ms. Sandy will complete her studies at the University of Alaska School of Nursing in December 2008.

Anchorage Monthly (*EDPP) & Fairbanks Yearly

Full $28.00 $330.00

Reduced $14.25 $165.00

Special

$7.38 $82.50

All Other Yearly Locations Monthly (*EDPP)

$322.50 $27.38

$161.25 $13.94

$80.62 $7.21

_______________________________________ _________________________________________________ Last Name/First Name/ Middle Initial Social Security Number _______________________________________ _________________________________________________ Street or PO Box City/State /Zip Home Phone _______________________________________ _________________________________________________ Employer Name Unit City/State/Zip Work Phone _____________________________ RN License Number/State

Speaking of Nurses….

___________________________ FAX Number

__________________________ E-mail Address

Payment Method—see above for categories and amounts

Apply Online at www.nursingworld.org—Join Today! Alaska!

Check—Please make checks payable to the American Nurses Association MasterCard or Visa—(available for annual payment only)

Return application and payment to: AaNA 3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507

________________________ _____/_____ $_______ _______________________________ Card Number

Expiration Amount Signature Monthly Electronic Dues Payment Please (1) read and sign the below authorization form and (2) enclose a check for the first month.

1/12 of your yearly dues will be withdrawn from your checking account monthly along with a monthly service fee.

Nell Mitchell celebrated 50 years as a Registered Nurse during the recent District One Banquet. Nell is currently working at ANMC and as a school nurse at Bartlett High School.

AUTHORIZATION to provide monthly electronic payments to the American Nurses Association (ANA): This is to authorize ANA to withdraw 1/12 of my annual dues and any additional service fees from my checking account designated by the enclosed check for the first month’s payment. ANA is authorized to change the amount by giving the undersigned thirty (30) days written notice. The undersigned may cancel this authorization upon receipt by ANA of written notification of termination twenty (20) days prior to the deduction date as designated above. ANA will charge a $5 fee for any return drafts.

________________________________________

Signature for EDPP Authorization

Integrity ~ Advocacy

Professionalism Empowerment Representation

Share your Expertise!

Get Informed! >>check off and return form to AaNA

A Benefit of Membership: AaNA Member Name: __________________ E-mail: ________________________________ Informational E-mail q Various Nursing Information—If you would like National, State and Local nursing information e-mails from AaNA on a weekly basis. q Action Alerts—If you would like political action alerts for National and State legislative issues involving nursing and health care issues.

Taskforce E-mail Pools Taskforce E-mail Pool members will receive requests to work on a variety of projects on nursing issues, and may choose to participate in only the projects that interest them. q Professional Nursing Practice Issues— Taskforces will consider issues relating to AaNA’s policy on RN practice and other professional issues. q Health and Safety Issues—Taskforces will consider safety and health issues of nurses and patients. q AaNA Event Planning—Taskforces will plan events such as the AaNA Fall Retreat, open house events, AaNA General Assembly, or other events for AaNA members. q Other interest? Let us know what you would like to work on:______________ AaNA Committees q Legislative Committee—Actively involved in reviewing and coordinating strategy and testimony for legislative issues related to health and nursing. Works closely with the AaNA Lobbyist. Usually meets on the second Monday of the month. Current Chair is Pat Senner. q Conference Planning Team—Participates help plan the Alaska Statewide Nurses Conference. Roles include working with program planning, marketing, vendor and sponsor recruitment and onsite assistance. q Continuing Education Committee—Members individually review applications for continuing education approval based on the established guidelines of the American Nurses Credentialing Center and in coordination with the CE Director. Makes recommendations for improvements in the application process. The current CE Director is Norma Monsen. q Alaska Nurse Newsletter Editorial Board— Members work with the editor to recruit articles and pictures for the quarterly newsletter. The current editor is Lynn Hartz.

Return to: AaNA, 3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507 or fax (907) 272-0292 or e-mail aknurse@aknurse.org and tell us your selection.

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page 11

AaNA District One Banquet Photos

AaNA’s Professional Practice Task Force In the last issue of the Alaska Nurse the Chairperson, Patti Hong, gave an overview of the task force that was created to address issue of nursing practice . In this issue she features one of the members of the taskforce, which has members from around the state .

Sue (Nikodym) Nelson Nursing education: Received an associate degree in nursing in 1975 (Clark Community College, Vancouver WA); BS in nursing from UAA in 1990 Current job: Assistant Director of Nursing, Wrangell Medical Center Accomplishments: Past VP and Director, AaNA; past AK BON member; currently AaNA CE Committee, Professional Practice Task Force Certifications: MDS/RAPS, Long Term Care; EMT II/III instructor, BLS-IT, AHA Affiliate Faculty (BLS) Organizations: AaNA, Rural Nurses Organization, American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators, NANDA For fun: Reading, travel, golfing, camping, boating; 4 kids Patti Hong, MA, RN, CCRN, is a Professor at UAA School of Nursing and can be reached at mikepat@gci .net .]

Jean Ballantyne, PhD, RN, Director of the School of Nursing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UAA) was the keynote speaker for the District One AaNA Banquet. Her topic: Where Have All the Nurses Gone? UAA graduates some 220 new nurses a year. The university has doubled enrollment and has a long list of applicants. Ballantyne notes, “They just keep telling me to produce more. But no one is working to keep them in the profession…We have to rescue our fatigued and disillusioned” through improved staffing and other working conditions.

Donna Zeznock, RN, Alaska Native Medical Center, was Mistress of Ceremonies for the District One Banquet.

Page 12—Alaska Nurse—August 2007

Resources/New Products/Publications The Pink Book—10th Edition Released 05/22/07 "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" (The Pink Book), the 10th Edition has just been released. The Pink Book is developed and published by the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All chapters have been updated and the 10th edition includes new information on several vaccines—rotavirus, human papillomavirus, and zoster (shingles).

To order today, please go online to:, www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/ default.htm.

Source: The Nursing Insider, Weekly Nursing News Update, Vol. 9 No. 21, 5/24/07 ******************************************************************* School nurses play a key role in making the school experience safe for students with diabetes. To educate and inform school personnel about diabetes, how it is managed, and how each school staff member can help meet the needs of these students, the National Diabetes Education Program has developed Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel.

Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel • Reflects a consensus from a broad spectrum of federal agencies and organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Diabetes Educators, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, and the National Association of School Nurses in the diabetes and education communities on how schools can better meet the medical needs of students with diabetes.

• Provides school personnel, parents, and students with a framework for managing diabetes effectively in the school setting.

• Helps to ensure that students with diabetes are medically safe and have access to all educational opportunities and activities.

• Includes user-friendly tools, copier-ready action plans, a diabetes primer, and a review of school responsibilities under federal laws.

This free resource can be ordered or downloaded by visiting www.ndep. nih.gov or calling 1-800-438-5383 *******************************************************************

Psychiatric-Mental Health: Scope and Standards of Practice, the latest addition to ANA’s library of nursing specialty publications, reflects the immense changes in mental health care since the last edition in 2000.

Again co-published with the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, the book details nursing’s leading edge in a critical healthcare arena. The book is available from the American Nurses Association at 301-628-5000 or www.

NursingWorld.org.

******************************************************************* McKesson Foundation Grant to FNSNA Funds 25 Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships Atlanta—May 8, 2007—McKesson today announced that a grant from the McKesson Foundation has funded 25 undergraduate scholarships through the Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA).

FNSNA received a $50,000 grant from the McKesson Foundation to fund undergraduate nursing scholarships over the next two years. The funds will be disbursed in 25 $1,000 scholarships for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years, respectively.

The scholarships will be awarded to students with financial need and each is renewable for a second year if the student is eligible. Students may download the scholarship application from www.nsna.org under Foundation.

In sponsoring undergraduate nursing scholarships through FNSNA, the McKesson Foundation continues to fulfill its mission to build strong and healthy communities that enjoy a high quality of life. For over 60 years it has given back to the neighborhoods where McKesson employees live and work. The Foundation provides grants to programs and projects dedicated to increasing access to quality healthcare for low-income children and youth.

The Foundation helps employees to volunteer their time in the community.

Additionally, it offers educational matching gift opportunities and several scholarship programs.

The Foundation of the NSNA has a well established scholarship program that provides funding to undergraduate nursing students in all programs preparing them for registered nurse licensure. Since 2002, FNSNA has administered Johnson & Johnson’s Promise of Nursing Regional Scholarship Program, which has raised over $7 million for nursing. Through its various academic, corporate, non-profit and community affiliations, FNSNA assists in the development of future nursing leaders.

About FNSNA The Foundation of the National Student Nurses’ Association (FNSNA) was created in 1969 to honor Frances Tompkins, the Association's first Executive Director. Organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, the Foundation awards scholarships to qualified nursing students. Contributions to the FNSNA are tax-deductible. Since 1974, the FNSNA has awarded over $2 million in scholarships to undergraduate nursing students. The Foundation is organized as a 501 (C) (3) charitable foundation. *******************************************************************

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AWHONN and Wiley-Blackwell Launch Continuing Nursing Education Web site Boston, MA, June 24, 2007—Nurses needing Continuing Nurse Education (CNE) for their professional development and licensure requirements can now earn contact hours online while accessing scholarly and professional content from the internally-ranked journals JOGNN (Journal of Obstetrical, Gynecological and Neonatal Nursing) and Nursing for Women’s Health. This new web-based continuing nursing education site, http://Journals CNE. awhonn.org, is being launched today at the 2007 Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) National Convention being held this week in Orlando, Florida.

The new web site offers instant grading, contact hour tracking and certificate awards to accommodate the nursing professional’s busy schedule.

AWHONN members receive substantial discounts on continuing educational activities at the site.

Topics now available or planned for the site include newborn assessment, safe pregnancy and birthing, genetics and cancer, contraception, shoulder dystocia, obesity, maternal and neonatal resuscitation, breastfeeding, domestic violence, normal newborn care, late preterm infants, perimenopause, patient safety, and more.

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page 13

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association’s 24th Annual Conference September 13, 14, and 15th, 2007 Anchorage Downtown Marriott

• • • • • •

Margaret Fitzgerald DNP Key Note “Hot Topics in Primary Care NP Practice” Pediatric Tract Women’s Health Tract Psychiatric Tract Family Practice Geriatrics Alternative treatments

Workshops: • Splinting • CXR Interpretation • Grief • Dermatologic Procedures in Primary Care Some topics to look for are: hormones revisited, asthma, functional bowel disease, prescribing for the elderly, antimicrobial therapies, infertility, global warming, acupuncture, tuberculosis update, radiology, hypertension medications, diabetes, SAD, opiod diversion, MRSA, prostrate screening update, Ashville project, thromolytics, lesbian health, childhood obesity, women’s mental health, childhood behavioral problems and much more Brochure available: www.AlaskaNP.org or 907-786-4596

Alaska Statewide Nurses Conference October 22, 23, and 24 2007 Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, AK Brought to you by: ♣ Alaska Nurses Association ♣ Emergency Nurses Association, Alaska State Council

Call the Alaska Nurses Association, at 907/274-0827, for information or www.signup4.com/NURSES07 The American College of Nurse Practitioners (ACNP) National Clinical Conference is scheduled for October 24-28, 2007 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s conference will feature more than 120 clinical CE sessions as well as exciting and challenging keynote speakers.

ACNP’s Clinical Conference has continued to grow strong over the past six years, and in San Antonio it is anticipated more than 1,200 Nurse Practitioners will be in attendance for the premier educational and clinical event for Nurse Practitioners.

For more details about ACNP and the 2007 National Clinical Conference, please visit www.acnpweb.org

Continued on page 14

Page 14—Alaska Nurse—August 2007

Upcoming Events 25th Annual Alaska Health Summit December 3, 4, 5 - Post Summit December 6, 7 "Making Alaska Healthy: Individuals, Communities, Policies and Environment"

2008 NDNQI® National Data Use Conference The American Nurses Association (ANA) is hosting the 2nd annual National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators® (NDNQI) National Data Use Conference on January 30-February 1, 2008, in Orlando, Florida at the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando®, A Loews Hotel. The theme for this year's conference is Workforce Engagement in Using Data to Improve Outcomes.

For more information visit http://ana.confex.com/ana/ndnqi08/cfp.cgi.

Schedule In the works - check back often! www.alaskapublichealth.org/summit.shtml Summit Location The Sheraton Hotel Located at 401 East 6th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska Reservations: 1.800.478.8700 Phone: 1.907.276.8700 Fax: 1.907.276.7561 2007 Summit Tracks—(Tentative) • Health Promotion Chair: Jayne Andreen jayne_andreen@health.state.ak.us • Environmental Health Chair: Chris Tofteberg ToftebergCJ@ci.anchorage.ak.us • Health Systems Reform: quality, access, affordability and uninsured; health work force issues Chairs: John Riley and Duane Heyman afjor@uaa.alaska.edu and heyman@alaskaroundtable.org • Violence and Its Impact on Individuals, Families and Communities Chair: Debra Caldera debrac@acsalaska.net • Perinatal and Women's Health Chair: Debbie Golden Debbie_Golden@health.state.ak.us • Ground Zero: Public Health Impacts of Climate Change in Alaska Chair: Karol Fink karol_fink@health.state.ak.us • Behavioral and Physical Health Chair: Diane Casto and Paula Recchia diane_casto@health.state.ak.us and paula_recchia@health.state.ak.us

University/Medical Health Festival Come! All ages, the whole family Join in an afternoon of health celebration, games and activity!

Participate in all levels of games and other challenges sponsored by Anchorage health providers, recreation specialists, universities and schools!

Saturday, September 15, 2007 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Goose Lake Park Entrance off UAA Drive at Northern Lights Blvd.

At the UMedFest (University/Medical Health Festival): Visit and join in our dozens of age-appropriate interactive games, sports, demonstrations and lessons!

Your participation earns a stamp for each event in your UMedFest Passport to Health. Your Passport to Health becomes your valuable permanent reference. You’ll build, while having fun, many valuable health contacts, and your Passport will keep you in contact during preparation for next year’s UMedFest 2008 challenge activities.

Stamps give you prizes, awards and special-event-entry qualifications!

These are a few of the many events you can participate in: Health Management

Safety

Stress Management

Sports

Basic Health Info

Walking

Yoga

Volley Ball Bike

Blood Pressure

Sporting

Line Dance

Rodeo

Ear & Eye Tests

Boating

Therapeutic Dogs

Power Walking

Nutrition

Cycling

Exercise for all ages

Bocci/Broom Ball

Accupressure

Community

Sing-Alongs

Races

Upcoming Events

Register online

at www.apicalaska.com

to attend the 2007 Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology (APIC)/Midnight Sun Chapter Conference for two full days of presentations on infection prevention and control

Register Now for

the 2007 APIC

Conference

October 11-12, 2007 Hotel Alyeska, Girdwood Day 1:

Panflu in the Greatland

What's happening on the global level?

How prepared is Alaska?

Day 2:

Healthcare-Associated Infections in Alaska How will mandatory public reporting affect your facility?

What are best practices to decrease HAIs?

R

CNE and CME Credit Is Available

Continuing Education co-sponsored through Section of Public Health Nursing. The Section of Public Health Nursing is approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by AaNA, which is accredited as an approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission of Accreditation.

Alaska Regional Hospital designates this educational activity for up to 11 CME credit hours.

Keynote Speaker Dr. Robert Webster, Ph.D. A worldrenown influenza expert, Dr. Webster was the first to identify a link between human flu and bird flu in the 1950s. He holds the Rose Marie Thomas Chair in Virology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and is director of the World Health Organization’s only lab designed to study influenza at the animal-human interface.

Featured Faculty • Shannon Oriola, APIC National Board of Directors • Dr. Jay Butler, Director, AK Division of Public Health • Dr. Bob Gerlach, State Veterinarian • Tom Rothe, Alaska Department Fish and Game • Dr. Michael Bruce, CDC-Arctic Investigations Program • Mary Andrus, CDC National Center for Infectious Diseases • Dr. Tom Hennessy, CDC-Arctic Investigations Program

August 2007—Alaska Nurse—Page 15