The Alaska Nurse - Vol. 60 No. 3 - August 2010

The Official Publication of the Alaska Nurses Association Circulation 7,400 to every Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse and Student Nurse in Alaska

Volume 60 • No. 3

August 2010

Recycling for the Future

Page 3

A Victory for Alaskan Patients and Nurses HB 50 Becomes Law

by Debbie Thompson RN AaNA Executive Director On July 7, 2010, Rep. Peggy Wilson’s House Bill 50 was transmitted to the Legislature to become law. This landmark legislation puts Alaska at the forefront of patient safety with fifteen other states. The new nursing law limits mandatory overtime working beyond 14 consecutive hours, and requires health care facilities to report overtime and on-call hours for employed nurses.

The Act, soon to be in Alaska Statute as AS Sec. 18.20.400, is applicable to all hospitals and healthcare facilities licensed in Alaska with exemptions noted within the bill.

The reporting aspect of the Act started on

July 1, 2010; facilities and hospitals are required to start collecting data for the Department of Labor and file a written report by February of 2011. The rest of the Act goes into effect January, 2011. A complaint alleging a violation of the Act [AS 18.20.400-18.20.499] must be filed with the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development within 30 days after the date of the alleged violation. Health care facilities must provide for an anonymous process by which a patient or nurse may make a complaint under the statute. “Whistleblower” protections are written into the law [Sec. 18.20.440].1 Adoption of regulations for implementing and enforcing the new statutes will be under HB 50 Becomes Law continued on page 6

Current State of STD Affairs in Alaska— What Can We Do?

by Donna J. Cecere, BA, STD Program Coordinator, Susan A. Jones, RN, MSN, HIV/STD Program Coordinator Section of Epidemiology Division of Public Health Alaska Department of Health & Social Services By now you’re familiar with the STD news in Alaska: gonorrhea spike of 70% from 2008 to 20091; continuing increases of chlamydia (8%)2; first or second in the nation in chlamydia rates for nearly ten years now. It seems like the late 70’s all over again when Alaska had the dubious distinction of having the highest gonorrhea rates in the country; although we do not have the highest gonorrhea rates in the nation, we expect to be in the top ten for 2009.

current resident or

Page 7

PAMC Free Breast Screening in Seventh Year

Page 9

Figure 2. Gonorrhea Infection Rates—Alaska and the United States, 2005–2009*

Figure 1. Chlamydia trachomatis Infection Rates—Alaska and the United States, 1996–2009*

*The 2009 US gonorrhea rate is based on preliminary data.

*The 2009 CT infection rate for the U.S. is not currently available.

Presort Standard US Postage

PAID

Nurses About Town

Permit #14 Princeton, MN 55371

To combat the increasing rates of GC and CT infections, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology (SOE) has been exploring opportunities for enhanced sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and control, including the use of expedited partner therapy (EPT)3. Since 2005, the CDC has recommended that EPT be available Current State of STD Affairs continued on page 5

Inside This Issue Executive Director’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Mammogram Screening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Recycling for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Alaska Nurses Foundation Seeks Volunteers . . 10

NP Earns Regional Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Sept. National Preparedness Month. . . . . . . . . . 10

Commentary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Ethical/Legal Questions in Nursing. . . . . . . . . . 10

Nurses About Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

AaNA Award Nominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Nurses in the News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Membership Application/Resources . . . . . . . . . 13

Board of Nursing Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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

Page 2 • Alaska Nurse

August 2010

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. Photos should be provided with a caption and photo credit info and be high resolution. 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 lhartz@alaska. com. 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.

Executive Director’s Corner Debbie Thompson, BSN, RN, CNOR With the Alaska Nurses Association disaffiliating with the American Nurses Association this year, the Board of Directors felt that it was important to keep abreast of changes on the horizon at the national level. With this in mind President Nancy Davis and I went to the American Nurses Association’s House of Delegates (HOD) in June.

Debbie As Nancy and I sat through Thompson the business of the house we were greeted by many state Presidents, past presidents, executive directors and state delegates.

We were thanked for coming to the HOD as observers, and at times assured that making changes at the national ANA level was important to many of our peers.

The message President Davis and I carried was the same message that we have been basing our decisions on at the state level. We were forced to make a business decision that has allowed the Alaska Nurses Association to remain one united voice speaking for the nurses of Alaska and still remain a financially viable business. The consistent message that we heard over and over

again was that the other states were glad we were there and committed to the nursing profession.

As the HOD progressed, Nancy and I saw glimpses of change and the possibility for changing the membership channels and how the individual states do business with ANA. I do not believe this change will happen rapidly but I do think there will be changes. AaNA will be monitoring any changes or pilot programs that could benefit the Alaska Nurses.

President Obama was a guest speaker at the HOD on June 16th. His speech addressed the importance of nurses, the nursing profession and the impact nurses have on the nation as a whole. He reminded us that ANA was the first professional association to sign on in support of the formation of the Medicare system. President Obama thanked nurses for their foresight and interest in healthcare and healthcare access for all. He went on to say “America’s nurses are the beating heart of our medical system.” “You are on the frontlines of healthcare in small clinics and in large hospitals, in rural towns and big cities, all across America.” The President credits nurses with their knowledge of the health care system.

President Obama’s speech is on the White house Press Secretary page, I would encourage each of you to read this speech as it is very inspirational for nurses everywhere. It gives credit to nurses for the jobs that they do everyday and it thanks nurses for the care they give to patients and their families.

It is message that often goes unsaid and each of us needs to hear. Thank You!

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 permission from the Editor.

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Editor: Lynn E. Hartz, MSN, FNP lhartz@alaska.com AaNA Board of Directors President: Nancy C. Davis, RN, MS Vice President: Paul T. Mordini, RN-C, BSN, MS Secretary: Pam Embler, MSN, RN Treasurer: Donna Phillips, RN, BSN Directors: Labor Council (designee): Susan Walsh, RN Rural Director: Pam Embler, MSN, RN (also serving as Secretary) Greater Alaska Director: Shelley Burlison, RN Staff Nurse Director: Mary Stackhouse, RNC, CLNC Directors at Large: Donna Biagioni, RN, BSN Joe Peacott, RN Carol Widman, RN, BA, BSN Michelle L. Marshall, MSN, RN Megan Orien, RN AaNA Labor Council Chair—Donna Phillips, RN, BSN Vice-Chair—Mary Stackhouse, RNC, CLNC Secretary—Joe Peacott, RN Treasurer—Sharie Morton, RN Director: Paul Bryner, RN To be filled To be filled To be filled PAMC BU Rep.—Joe Peacott, RN Soldotna BU Rep.—Velinda Albrechta-East, RN Ketchikan BU Rep.—Susan Walsh, RN Affiliate Organizations: Alaska Chapter of the American College of Nurse Midwives Alaska Home Health and Hospice Association Alaska Nurse Anesthetists Association Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association Alaska School Nurses Association Forensic Nurses Association, Alaska Chapter Executive Director: Debbie Thompson, BSN, RN, CNOR For advertising rates and information, please contact Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, PO Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081, sales@aldpub.com. 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.

Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by the Alaska Nurses Association of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the product or its use. AaNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of AaNA or those of the national or local associations.

Visit aknurse.org Online CE Nursing News “Alaska Nurse” on the web Alaska nursing links Job Listings And More!

August 2010

Recycling for the Future

By Susan Walsh, RN

Lt. To Rt. – Pictured are nurses Christy Showalter, Diana Porter and Susan Walsh in front of a “bale” of aluminum close to 1,000 pounds.

Staff from the New Beginnings department of Ketchikan General Hospital pose in front of their second bale of aluminum cans headed for recycling. The first Sunday of every month (rain or shine) we set up a receptacle in the covered parking garage and people from the community deposit their cans that they have stored for the month.

Monies from the effort aid in the purchasing of resuscitation mannequins and videos used in the childbirth classes along with birthing balls and other comfort measures to assist the new or soon to be mother. Our nurses feel recycling makes sense for today and our future generations. This is definitely a team effort!

Ketchikan General Hospital is owned by the city of Ketchikan which also operates the landfill.

The staff there weigh and store our “treasure” until we reach the bale weight (close to a thousand pounds) they are also generous with their time and suggestions on improvement. The Hospital is operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace and I am proud of our mission statements, one of which includes promoting personal and community health along with stewardship of resources and the environment. Our maintenance staff transports the bale to the barge company when we reach the magic weight. Living on an island presents unique problems with recycling but together we all can and do make a difference. We have been averaging over one hundred pounds each month—and that is without advertising!

[Susan Walsh is the Chairperson of the AaNA legislative committee and also serves on the AaNA Board of Directors and AaNA Labor Council.]

Alaska Nurse • Page 3

NP Earns Regional Award

By Michelle Marshall, MSN, RN Assistant Program Manager at the Reproductive Health Clinic

Anchorage bus transit center. This clinic provides clinical services and peer education to teens in order to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. The POWER teen Elizabeth (Liz) Butera, Women’s clinic received national recognition Health Nurse Practitioner at in 2007 by the National Association the Municipality of Anchorage, of City and County Health Officials Reproductive Health Clinic has won (NACCHO) as a “promising the 2010 Vivian O. Lee Clinician of practice” for other communities to the Year Award. This award was emulate. instituted in 1987 by the Center for Liz’s expertise was recognized Health Training to recognize family nationally by being one of the planning clinicians who have made Nurse Practitioners to attend the outstanding contributions in the first Family Planning Preceptor Northwest Region which includes Training course at the Clinical Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Training Center in October 2007, Alaska. The award is named for which enables her to train nurse Vivian O. Lee, Regional Program practitioners to enhance their Consultant for Family Planning, family planning skills. Acceptance US Public Health Service, Region X to this prestigious training required (Retired), in recognition of her longLiz to submit a detailed application standing efforts in family planning and to be chosen from a nationwide and support of Title X practitioner pool of Nurse Practitioner Butera training programs. Liz received applicants. Liz is the only NP in this award at the 2010 Reproductive Alaska to have gone through this Health Conference. training. She adds her new role as a preceptor According to colleagues, “Liz has distinguished to her already busy schedule providing clinical herself in the performance of outstanding service training in reproductive health to physicians, to the Department of Health and Human Services, medical students, nurse practitioners, and nurses.

Title X, the State of Alaska and the Municipality Since 1991, Liz has taken the initiative of Anchorage for greater than 19 years, first as a to coordinate the RHC Consumer Advisory Public Health Nurse, and now as a Senior Public Committee, updating the committee on current Health Nurse after finishing her Nurse Practitioner events in RHC, ensuring that all clinic educational (NP) training in 1996. During this time she has materials are peer reviewed and receive approval demonstrated exemplary dedication and expertise, prior to use, and working on special projects and has consistently gone above and beyond her identified by the group, including fund raisers normal duties in the areas of Reproductive Health and fact sheets. This consumer participation and nursing competencies.” ensures that community voices are involved in Liz is frequently requested as an acknowledged shaping these materials and projects so that they training expert on educational topics related to are appropriate and useful for clients. Liz also reproductive health, contraceptives, and sexually actively contributed to the development and transmitted infections to speak to the University implementation of the DHHS Strategic plan as a of Alaska-Anchorage Family Nurse Practitioner member of the Strategic Plan Action and Review students. Liz has also facilitated classes on Committee from 2006 to January 2008 natural family planning and HPV for the Last but not least, Liz has been recognized in community and for the students at the University evaluations by her peers and clients as providing of Alaska, Anchorage. She was nominated for the excellent client-centered care to her patients in Municipality of Anchorage Employee of the Year RHC. Not only is she able to provide high quality Award in 2008; is an active member of the Alaska care, but she is able to make her clients feel Nurse Practitioner Association and the American comfortable discussing and being educated on Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology. sensitive health issues. Even in a clinic where This “Renaissance Woman” somehow also finds client satisfaction surveys consistently find 95% time to coordinate the annual Reproductive Health and higher satisfaction rates, Liz is notable. Peer Clinic (RHC) team at the annual Run for Women, reviews done by her colleagues consistently give and likes to hike, camp, ski, bike, knit, garden, and her the highest scores, and recognize her as an keep small livestock in her “free” time. expert provider. Liz Butera is a deserving recipient Liz was one of the first clinicians to support of this prestigious award. the POWER teen clinic located in the downtown

Page 4 • Alaska Nurse

August 2010

Commentary

Bearing Witness to Suffering: A Nurse’s Role in Healthcare Quality

By Sarah Hargrave, MS, RN, CPHQ In the landmark 1999 report, To Err is Human, the Institute of Medicine estimated that 98,000 people die annually from preventable medical mistakes, while many others sustain serious injuries. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 99,000 people die annually from healthcareassociated infections. Poor quality in the American healthcare system is killing about 200,000 people each year.

Contrary to what the public may fear, the vast majority of these medical errors are not made by incompetent clinicians. These devastating and often fatal errors are made by good nurses, and good physicians trying as hard as they can to care for patients in a system that fails both the patient and the providers, again, and again, and again.

Healthcare providers are, after all, human—and subject to the effects of the complex systems in which they work. Underlying causes of error in the medical system often include fatigue, distractions,

workarounds, general poor work processes, and less than clear communication mechanisms.

Additionally, too many healthcare organizations across the nation remain enslaved in a strict pecking order, leaving members of the healthcare “team” hesitant to question care decisions made by the omnipotence of those above us in that pecking order. The hierarchical structure in healthcare, and its consequential communication failures has been documented to be a key contributor in compromises to patient safety (Maxfield, Grenny, McMillan, Patterson & Seitzler, 2005).

As nurses, we see the suffering of patients who are victims of our healthcare system: test results that go missing, and tests must be repeated; wrong site surgeries; patients given accidental overdoses of medication; healthcare acquired infections; delayed care; and, misdiagnosis. Nurses not only see the inefficiency and the ineffectiveness of the systems in which we work, but also the immense suffering our systems cause for our patients- from minor delays and inconveniences, to significant

morbidity and even death. The incredible amount of suffering occurring as a result of our healthcare system should give nurses considerable pause—for it is a central tenet of nursing to alleviate suffering.

Moreover, nurses have a responsibility to prevent suffering from occurring in the first place.

While many organizations are striving to dramatically improve, nurses have a unique role that will help the healthcare improvement movement to gain traction: Nurses must bear witness to the suffering we see. Naef (2006) describes bearing witness in nursing as a moral responsibility, based on encounters with the other. Bearing witness is an attestation to the “realness” of another’s experience.

The concept of suffering has had limited research in the nursing literature, and is most often described as being a very personal experience, both difficult to describe, and difficult to assess and measure.

Generally, however, the term denotes a profound loss or threat of loss (Rodgers, and Cowles, 1997).

We, as nurses, have a moral responsibility to attest to the profound loss caused by the failures of our healthcare system. To bear witness is to validate the suffering endured, to stand with our patients and to be a beacon for change. Furthermore, we must realize that it isn’t just the few errors we individually happen to see, but that poor quality and its effects are pervasive, and widespread. We must extrapolate the suffering we see one patient at a time to the suffering occurring across our healthcare system—and we must bear witness to the immensity of that.

Nurses are held in high esteem by the public, and our words give strength to the message of healthcare improvement. With our testimony, we illuminate the causes of problems, and with the knowledge we hold, we can point out solutions within our healthcare organizations.

The Institute for Healthcare improvement’s article, Nursing’s Role in Transforming Healthcare states that nurses must engage fully in transformational leadership within healthcare organizations. Nurses must work to redesign care processes in partnership with all members of the healthcare team. Safety and quality will not be effectively built into a system which continues to struggle against a hierarchical structure. Nurses must stand side-by-side with our colleagues, administrators, and physicians at the helms of our organizations. Nurses must call out, bear witness to the suffering caused by poor system designs, and provoke changes in our healthcare delivery systems to prevent further suffering. Our voice is essential–we must bear witness.

[Ms. Hargrave received an Alaska Nurses Foundation Grant in 2009 and this article is one of the results of the grant. She recently certified as a Professional in Healthcare Quality and works in the Quality Department at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau as the Regulatory Specialist. The Alaska Nurses Foundation is a nonprofit corporation which awards yearly grants to nurses for a variety of projects. Additional information on the Alaska Nurses Foundation and grant opportunities can be found at www.aknurse.org: click AaNA Foundation.]

References: Bisognano, M. (2010). Nursing’s role in transforming healthcare. Healthcare Executive (25)2, 84-87.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (March, 2010). Estimates of Healthcare-Associated Infections.

Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ hai.html Kohn, Corrigan, & Donaldson (Eds.) (1999). To err is human: Building a safer health system. Institute of Medicine, Committee on Quality Health Care in America. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.

Maxfield, D., Grenny, J., Mcmillan, R., Patterson, K., & Switzler, A. (2005). Silence kills: The seven crucial conversations for healthcare. VitalSmarts and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Retrieved from: http://www.silencekills.com/ Naef, R. (2006). Bearing witness: A moral way of engaging in the nurse-person relationship. Nursing Philosophy (7), 146-156.

Rodgers, B.L, & Cowles, K.V. (1997). A conceptual foundation for human suffering in nursing care and research. Journal of Advanced Nursing (25), 10481053.

August 2010

Alaska Nurse • Page 5

Current State of STD Affairs continued from page 1 to providers as an option for partner management of patients diagnosed with CT or GC. EPT involves treating sex partners of STDinfected patients without prior medical evaluation or counseling, and several models of EPT are currently practiced in various regions of the United States and in Alaska. EPT, as compared to strategies that involve having STD-infected patients tell their own partners to seek care (partner referral), has been shown to decrease rates of re-infection.

EPT represents an additional partner management tool to prevent and control STDs and does not replace other strategies such as provider referral, or Partner Services, when available.

Over the summer, SOE partnered with CDC to conduct provider and patient surveys, interviews, and focus groups regarding the knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs of EPT. As of the time of this writing (July 12, 2010) the data from these surveys are being analyzed and will be instrumental in developing recommendations for the use of EPT in Alaska.

Meanwhile, the Alaska Sections of Epidemiology and Nursing have stepped up efforts to bring professional, provider referral trainings to health care providers who work with patients with STD. Since 2003, the California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center has been invited to conduct a CDC-based course in Partner Services, Fundamentals of STD Intervention (FSTDI). To date, approximately 175 public health nurses, health program associates, nurse practitioners, community health aides, and certified medical assistants, have received this training.

FSTDI, a training program designed for health care workers who conduct STD Partner Management for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia will be offered in two locations later this year: October 1922 in Anchorage and October 26-29 in Bethel. This is a skills-building course that covers STD Partner Management from the initial interview, through the investigative process and to the successful testing and treatment of the partners. This is a nocost course and Nursing CE contact hours are free.

To register, go to http://stdhivtraining.org/class_ calender.html and click on the course you wish to attend.

Current SOE recommendations include: 1. Treat individuals with gonorrhea and/or chlamydia with antibiotics recommended by CDC.4 2. Perform annual GC/CT screening on all sexually active females aged <25 years and older women with risk factors (e.g., those who have new or multiple sex partners).

3. Screen all pregnant women for GC and CT infection at their first prenatal visit.

4. Retest infected pregnant women during the third trimester to prevent maternal postnatal complications and GC/CT infection in the infant.

5. Rescreen for GC/CT in all females aged <25 years and in all males aged <20 years, three months after they have received appropriate treatment.

6. Rescreen for GC/CT in all females aged >25 years and in all males 20-29 years when they next seek medical care within the following 3-12 months after treatment.

7. Strongly encourage patients with GC and/ or CT infection to participate in partner services activities, including the confidential and timely notification of all partners at risk.

8. Test and appropriately treat all sex partners to confirmed GC- and/or CT-infected patients.

9. Offer HIV screening for all persons who seek evaluation and treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.

10. Discuss STD risk reduction strategies with patients at risk for GC/CT infection.

11. Report confirmed or suspected cases of GC and CT infection to the Section of Epidemiology within 5 working days via fax (561-4239) or telephone (561-4234 or 800-4781400).

[Note: Those readers who need to contact the Section of Epidemiology with general questions may call 907-269-8000.]

Alaska Section of Epidemiology. Statewide Increase in Gonococcal Infection—Alaska, 2009.

Bulletin No. 6, March 9, 2010. Available at: http:// www.epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/b2010_06.pdf 1

Alaska Section of Epidemiology. Chlamydia trachomatis Infection—Alaska, 2009. Bulletin No. 19, July 1, 2010. Available at: http://www.epi.

2

alaska.gov/bulletins.docs/b2010_19.pdf 3 Alaska Section of Epidemiology. Could Expedited Partner Therapy Work in Alaska? A Call for Health Care Provider and Patient Input.

Bulletin No. 15, June 15, 2010. Available at: http:// www.epi.alaska.gov/bulletins.docs/b2010_15.pdf

CDC’s Updated STD Treatment Guidelines, 2006. Epi Bulletin RnR. Available at: http://www. epi.alaska.gov/bulletins/docs/rr2007_03.pdf 4

Page 6 • Alaska Nurse

August 2010 HB 50 Becomes Law continued from page 1 the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development. The Department will decide if regulations for the Act are necessary for implementation. If deemed necessary, the Department can promulgate regulations in-house or can ask interested parties to help do negotiated regulation writing. A decision on how or if this will happen had not been made as of July 12, 2010.

Under the Act, a nurse may not be required or coerced, directly or indirectly, (1) to work beyond a predetermined and regularly scheduled shift, (2) to work beyond 80 hours in a 14-day period, or (3) to accept an assignment of overtime if, in the nurses’ judgment the overtime would jeopardize patient or employee safety. The Act also requires a minimum of 10 hours of off-duty time after working a predetermined and regularly scheduled shift.

However, nurses can volunteer to work additional shifts beyond these limits, so long as they do not work more than 14 consecutive hours without ten hours of rest. A number of other exceptions have been provided, including (1) for school nurses on field trips, (2) flight nurses on medical transports, (3) for an unforeseen emergency that could jeopardize patient safety, (4) for a nurse fulfilling

on-call time that is agreed to by the nurse and the health care facility before it is scheduled, and (5) for the first hour of overtime when the health care facility is finding another nurse to come in and work.

Health care facilities found to be in violation of the Act will face penalties ranging from a minimum of a reprimand to a maximum of $25,000 for each occurrence. Civil penalties only apply if the Commissioner finds that the health care facility “knowingly” violated an overtime provision of the statute.

The AaNA will be providing educational offerings to nurses regarding the new law as well as answering questions or referring questions to the appropriate entity. The Association will support nurses in the event of a need to make a complaint and provide information on the process.

1 www.legis.state.ak.us/PDF/26/Bills/HB0050Z.pdf accessed 7/19/10.

A Message from the AaNA Board of Directors: The Alaska Nurses Association requests that nurses reporting an occurrence also contact the Association. This will allow the AaNA to document the problems, assist the nurse with the reporting process and be available to support the nurse as they navigate the system at the Department of Labor& Workforce Development. It is the intent of the Alaska Nurses Association that each nurse who works these long hours has the support to do the reporting, the help to get the report submitted, and an advocate to make sure there is no retaliation or loss of job suffered for helping to keep Alaska’s patients safe with a well-rested nurse at their bedside.

Please call 907-274-0827

August 2010

Alaska Nurse • Page 7

Nurses About Town Nurses were in attendance at the Nobel/Women’s Shining Star Awards Gala hosted by Senator Betty Davis (Dist. K, Anchorage) on June 25th. The National Organization of Black Elected Legislative/Women (NOBEL) held their annual conference at the Dena’ina Convention Center in Anchorage and honored national figures as well as community members during the evening program.

Senator Bettye Davis (lt.) with Nancy Davis, RN, AaNA President (Juneau). Sen. Davis has been a tireless supporter of nurses and has been a major sponsor of health-related legislation in the state Senate.

Mary Stackhouse, RNC (Anchorage) is the vicechairperson of the AaNA Labor Council and also serves on the AaNA Board of Directors.

Nurses in the News The 25th National American Academy of Nurse Practitioners’ (AANP) conference was held in Phoenix, AZ June 23rd-27th. Dr. Barbara Berner presented in the FAANP lecture series: Bridging the Gap; Best Practices Using Chronic Care Models. Dianne Tarrant participated in the 6-minute lecture series presenting the new Primary Care Hepatitis B Algorithm. Next year’s conference is in Las Vegas, NV on June 22-26, 2011.

Dianne Tarrant, FNP, is an Associate Professor at the UAA School of Nursing and owns Ravenwood Family Clinic.

Barbara Berner, EdD, FNP , chairs the AaNA Professional Practices Committee, co-chairs the ANPA Legislative Committee in addition to her work at the UAA FNP program.

Kathleen Gettys, RN, (Anchorage) has served on the AaNA Board of Directors, the AaNA Labor Council and co-chaired the AaNA legislative committee during the last session.

Page 8 • Alaska Nurse

August 2010

Board of Nursing Update

Former Alaska Board of Nursing Chair Receives National Award

It’s License Renewal Season!!

by Beth Farnstrom, RN Chairperson, Alaska Board of Nursing

Big news…license renewal fees decreased to $175!

Cathy Giessel, MS, RN, ANP, FAANP, recent past Chair of the Alaska Board of Nursing, received the Exceptional Leadership Award from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

The award is bestowed to an individual who has served as president of a member board and has made significant contributions to NCSBN in that Cathy Giessel role.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing recognized its dedicated and exceptional membership and guests at its annual awards ceremony during the NCSBN Delegate Assembly, held in Portland, Oregon, Aug. 11 -13, 2010.

Cathy Giessel chaired the Alaska Board of Nursing for 5 of the 8 years she served on the Board. She led the Board through the process of updating many regulations, some of which were written before statehood! She led the Board members in developing a strategic plan and initiated Board retreats for member development.

During her term as Chair, Ms. Giessel was called on to assume additional responsibilities due to a vacancy in the Executive Administrator’s position.

The Executive Administrator is the only paid nursing position in the Alaska Board of Nursing office. Cathy Giessel assumed this position as a

volunteer in order to keep the Board of Nursing functioning until an Executive Administrator was selected. By taking on the many leadership roles, Cathy has spent numerous hours above the original 12 days a year a Board member would normally commit. Ms. Giessel is fiscally responsible and discovered a state accounting error that made the Board of Nursing’s budget report reflect an increasingly negative balance instead of a positive balance.

Cathy also saw communication as an important function of the Chair’s role. This is evidenced by quarterly communication during the Board meetings with the State Division leaders, by encouraging consistent updating of the Board’s website, and through the use of a list-serve to keep nurses and other interested parties informed.

Through her leadership, the Board was proactive in protecting the health of the citizens of Alaska through the safe and effective practice of nursing as defined by law.

Ms. Giessel’s leadership qualities were recognized nationally through the service to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. She was involved with the NCSBN’s advanced practice committee, disciplinary resources committee, disciplinary resource advisory panel and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2009. She has networked intrastate and nationally to advance nursing, advanced practice and Alaska’s Board of Nursing.

Congratulations Cathy Giessel and thank you for your years of service on the Alaska Board of Nursing.

Online renewals are back.

The online renewals for both LPNs and RNs in 2008 were a huge success. Eighty-five percent (85%) of nurses renewed on line. Let’s do it again!

By the time you read this article, renewals for LPNs will be well underway. LPN renewals began on August 1st and licenses must be renewed by September 30, 2010.

Renewals for RNs, ANPs, and CRNAs begin October 1, 2010.

ANPs…ANPs can renew online starting this year. The renewal fee for ANPs decreased to $60.

To allow ANPs to renew online, regulations were changed to institute a 25% audit of ANP renewals. So, renew both your RN and ANP authorization online.

CRNAs will still need to renew using “hard copy” during this renewal period. CRNA renewal fees are also $60.

Watch your mailbox for the reminder notice.

Renew at www.nursing.alaska.gov.

Other big news: All renewals will be paperless. Copies of your renewed license will not be sent out in the mail. License renewals can be verified in the Professional License Search at www. nursing.alaska.gov. You will find the link for the Professional License Search at the top of the right hand column. Click that link and then the orange box. On the search page put in your last name and “nur” for the Board. Then find your name. The renewed license should be visible with the 2012 expiration date.

You might ask “why don’t I get a copy of my license/authorization in the mail”. There are several reasons to go paperless: 1. Employers are not accepting paper copies of your renewed license as verification of renewal. Employers are verifying online.

2. The cost of postage.

3. Other Boards of Nursing are finding that applicants for licensure are submitting falsified documents.

Going paperless decreases the risk of licensing fraudulent individuals.

4. If you require a paper copy of your license submit a request to the Board of Nursing and pay the fee ($5).

Questions? Contact Nancy Sanders, PhD RN, Executive Administrator, Alaska State Board of Nursing, Ph: 907-269-8161, fax 907-269-8196, email nancy.sanders@alaska.gov

August 2010

PAMC Free Breast Screening in Seventh Year

Alaska Nurse • Page 9

Mammogram Screening Recommendations and Commentary Editor’s note: Last November, the United States Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) published recommendations regarding mammogram screening that caused a firestorm of controversy among patients, clinicians and national professional groups. Many, if not most, nurses will deal with questions on this issue on a personal or professional level. We have included a summary of the USPSTF recommendations as posted on their website and a commentary by a local expert, Denise Farlegh, MD, Medical Director of Providence Imaging Center (PIC) as reported in the PIC Health Blog.

Summary of USPSTF Recommendations

Pictured in front of the mobile mammography coach with the check (l-r): Rob Backus, district manager Denali Division, Susan Ruddy, president of Providence Alaska Foundation, Wanda Katinszky, RN, director of the Cancer Center, Glenn Peterson, manager of the Safeway Alaska district and Al Parrish, chief executive of Providence Health & Services Alaska. Photo by Nathan Switzer, PIC

Carrs Safeway presented the Providence Cancer Center with a check for $301,866 this past April at Providence Alaska Medical Center. The funds were donated by Carrs Safeway, its employees and its customers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2009. Since 2004, Carrs Safeway has contributed more than $1 million toward a mobile mammography motor coach, breast cancer screenings and research at Providence.

April 2010 also kicked-off free breast cancer screenings at Providence for women who are 40 and older and have financial need for a free mammogram. The screening took place April 2629 at Providence Imaging Center by appointment.

In 2009, these free screenings served 202 women.

The mobile coach provided screenings to 1,364 women throughout southcentral Alaska. These breast cancer screenings were made possible by the generous support of Carrs Safeway. The annual breast cancer screening at Providence usually takes place in the spring.

For more information on Providence Alaska Foundation: www.providence.org/alaska/foundation [source: April, 2010, Providence Imaging Center News Page. www.provimaging.com .]

regarding screening for breast cancer:  Recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50-75 years  The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient’s values regarding specific benefits and harms.  The USPSTF concludes that current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years or older.  The USPSTF recommends against teaching breast self-examination (SBE).  The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of clinical breast examination beyond screening mammography in women 40 years or older.  The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of either digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of film mammography as screening modalities for breast cancer.

On December 4, 2009, the USPSTF “unanimously voted to update the language of their recommendation regarding women under 50 years of age to clarify their original and continued intent”, but that update was not available on their website at press time (www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/ uspsbrca.htm).

Commentary From PIC Health Blog

This past Tuesday, November 17 new recommendations by the US Preventive Services Task Force rolled out. The Task Force took a “new”

look at existing data, and made a recommendation to drastically change screening mammography guidelines. Instead of beginning at age 40, the Task Force stated that women should wait until 50 for their initial mammogram, unless they are high risk. Additionally, they recommend screening every other year, and that all screening stops at age 75.

Dr. Denise Farleigh, medical director of Providence Imaging Center (PIC), makes the following initial statement regarding the Task Force’s announcement: “The American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging have already issued formal statements that express their opposition to the revised guidelines presented by the Task Force. I am in agreement with their comments, many of which can be viewed in the links below.

The ‘new’ recommendations are irresponsible and dangerous, and will cost many women their lives if followed,” emphasizes Dr. Farleigh.

“We are at risk to reverse the downward trend in the death rate from breast cancer in this country which is due in large part to screening with mammography, along with more effective treatment. The woman in her forties has a one in 69 chance of developing breast cancer, and delayed diagnosis will contribute to increased morbidity from treatment as well as an increase in deaths from the disease.

In summary, PIC will continue to recommend screening for women over the age of 40.”

Here are links to some initial responses nationwide: STATEMENT FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY AND THE SOCIETY OF BREAST IMAGING: USPSTF Mammography Recommendations Will Result in Unnecessary Breast Cancer Deaths Each Year Detailed ACR Statement on Ill Advised and Dangerous USPSTF Mammography Recommendations American Cancer Society Statement Susan G. Komen Screening Statement 11-16-09 Health & Human Services Secretary Sebelius Statement on New Breast Cancer Recommendations - 11-19-09 [source: Providence Imaging Center Health Blog, 11/19/2009, www.provimaging.com “Our Response to the USPSTF Recommenation”. Reprinted with permission.]

(Links can only be utilized in Alaska Nurse online edition, see aknurse.org)

Page 10 • Alaska Nurse

Alaska Nurses Foundation Seeks Volunteers The Alaska Nurses Foundation is seeking individuals to fill appointed positions on the Grants Review Committee and elected positions on the Board of Directors. Annually, the Alaska Nurses Foundation funds small grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 for clinical and community projects and for continuing education. Members of the Grants Review Committee receive copies of grant applications electronically, rate them using established criteria, and make recommendations for approval; their work is typically completed in the early Fall and their recommendations are finalized in a single conference call.

Members of the Board of Directors are responsible for soliciting grant applications, for approving grant recommendations, and for managing the affairs of the Board. These responsibilities are carried out in meetings that occur once every one or two months and are limited to one hour in time; participants who reside outside of Anchorage may participate in meetings via telephone conference call.

The Alaska Nurses Foundation (AaNF) is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to increasing the public’s knowledge and understanding of the profession of nursing and factors affecting the health of all Alaskans, as well as supporting research and education in the profession.

If you are would like more information about the Foundation and the responsibilities of Board and committee members, contact Wanda Katinsky (wkatinsky@gci.net) or Tina DeLapp (tdelapp@ ak.net).

Notice to AaNA Members If you have not been getting email updates and information from the Alaska Nurses Association, or if your address has changed and you are a member, please contact Donna Phillips at Donna@aknurse.org.

August 2010

SEPTEMBER is National Preparedness Month LeMay Hupp, Coordinator, Alaska Nurse Alert System It is a good time to look at your emergency preparedness plan.

Our visitors have traveled back home and the busy activities of summer are coming to a close. If you have not started this endeavor, the words of Henry Ford are appropriate; “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”

Start by talking about preparedness with your family and friends. Think about potential emergencies in Alaska and take the “all hazards approach.” Disaster situations cover the full spectrum from earthquakes to volcanic eruptions, flooding to wildfires. Discuss your plans with all who live in your home and with family / friends out of state. Some important components are to have communication plans, agreed upon meeting places both close and away from home and for all immediate and extended family members to have an out of state contact. If you have children, or grandchildren, know the school emergency plan and discuss it with your student.

Develop a kit of supplies and address the most important items: water, food, first aid supplies and extra prescription medicines, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies (lights, radios) and special items (i.e. cash, copies of important papers, pet supplies, fire extinguishers, etc.) There are many lists that can be downloaded. Remember, this is a process! If the job looks overwhelming, use your family calendar to buy a couple items each month.

Think about giving emergency supplies as holiday gifts. “Emergency preparedness is a team sport.”

Include everyone in planning; family, friends and coworkers.

You may want to consider joining the Alaska Nurse Alert System. You will receive periodic information on disaster preparedness for personal and professional use. For more information on disaster preparedness or the Alaska Nurse Alert System, call 274-0827 or go to www.nursealert.org.

Here are some helpful web sites: www.ready.gov or www.fema.gov or www.redcross.org. “We are each responsible for our own safety!” Don’t put it off any longer ..... there’s no better time than the present.

Ethical/Legal Questions in Nursing

By Linda Anna Webb, RN, BA, JD Question: WHAT ARE THE COMMON CATEGORIES OF NURSE PRACTICE VIOLATIONS? The common types of practice violators are: • drug and alcohol abusers • disruptive behavior, impaired mental, physical limitations, and depression • incompetency • criminal convictions for domestic abuse, child abuse, • driving under the influence • theft, fraud, and rule bending The State Boards of Nursing are charged with protecting the public. Their response to the chemical impairment of nurses is to place the nurse on a Memorandum of Agreement for a number of years and to require evaluation, treatment, and monitoring during that period.

For incompetency, which includes inaccurate documentation, reeducation and recertification is generally required.

Felony convictions often are related to lack of moral turpitude, and may result in revocation of a nursing license. A recent trend in Alaska is criminal prosecution for a DUI as a felony, that is, criminal negligence, if any other person is injured in a motor vehicle accident because of driving while under the influence. A felony conviction often is considered a barrier crime and may prevent hiring by a health care entity.

Rule benders generally means practitioners who violate practice standards because of what they believe are good intentions, generally the welfare of the patient, however, the nurse’s actions conflict with established policies and procedures. The most common areas of rule bending are medication administration, availability of resources, and end of life decisions. Remedial education concerning strategies to deal with system problems and sanctions against the nurse are used to correct the rule benders.

Often, the result is the loss of a good nurse.

Another recent trend is for a health care facility to issue a “last chance” offer which is exactly what it states, “last chance”. Any other nurse behavior which does not meet administrative requirements generally results in termination.

[Ms. Webb is a nurse-attorney who has practiced law in Alaska for 21 years. She is a partner in the law firm of Hagans, Ahearn & Webb, located in Anchorage. Ms. Webb represents health care providers in state and federal courts. Webb, an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska, teaches legal issues for nurses. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Attorneys; AaNA and ANA; Sigma Theta Tau, Inc.; the Alaska Bar and Anchorage Bar Associations; and licensed as a registered nurse in Alaska and New York. Ms. Webb may be reached at (907)276-5294 or haw@alaska.net.]

August 2010

Alaska Nurse • Page 11

AaNA Award Nominations

AaNA – Election 2010

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Alaska Nursing Association (AaNA) nursing awards. The awards will be announced at the October 2010 Alaska Statewide Nursing Conference.

Start thinking of your colleagues who should be nominated. AaNA awards are an excellent way to recognize fellow nurses for their contributions to nursing and health care.

AaNA members will soon be receiving ballots for the fall election of state offices.

Open state offices on the AaNA Board of Directors are:  Vice President  Secretary,  Greater Alaska Director  Director at large (3)

Deadline: September 30, 2010

Alaska Nurses Association Award Nomination Form 2010

Please select application you are submitting:  AaNA Service Award—Presented to an outstanding AaNA member who has made significant contributions to AaNA by promoting the purposes outlined in the AaNA bylaws: (a) Work for the improvement of health standards and the availability of health care services for all people, (b) Foster high quality standards of nursing, and (c) stimulate and promote the professional development of nurses and advance their economic and general welfare. Nominees must be members of AaNA.  AaNA Excellence in Practice Award—Presented to a nurses selected by peers as an outstanding practitioner, currently doing excellent work in nursing. Nominees must be licensed RNs presently involved in nursing practice in Alaska.  AaNA Hall of Fame—Presented to, or on behalf of, exceptional AaNA members, either living or deceased, who have made exceptional contributions to nurses, the nursing profession or AaNA. 1.

Nominee Information (print or type): Name and Credentials_____________________________________________________________ Address, City, State and ZIP_______________________________________________________ Position and Title_________________________________________________________________ Daytime Phone_________________________ Evening Phone_ ___________________________

2.

Narrative Summary (Please attach 1-2 pages in length) of the candidate’s:  Accomplishments and contributions that make them an outstanding nominee for the above category  Position and Title (give a brief description of duties, length of time in position)  A brief summary of the nominee’s career  Date of arrival in Alaska, and  Educational background.

3.

Nominated By Name and Credentials_____________________________________________________________ Title_____________________________________ Daytime Phone__________________________ Address, City, State and ZIP_______________________________________________________

Please return to AaNA Office by September 30, 2010 FAX (907)272-0292 – e-mail Debbie@aknurse.org 3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507

All offices are for a two year term.

Descriptions of responsibilities of the state BOD are at aknurse.org; pick Bylaws; see page 11. Please vote! (And next year-run for office!)

Notice

Audio CD’s of recent Alaska Board of Nursing Meetings Now Available at the AaNA Office Call 907-274-0827 for copies and information Brought to you by the Alaska Nurses Association

Page 12 â&#x20AC;˘ Alaska Nurse

August 2010

August 2010

Alaska Nurse • Page 13

Resources Alaska Hair Mercury Biomonitoring Program Update July 2002-May 2010 Available online at: http://www.epi.alaska.gov/ bulletins/docs/b2010_18.pdf

The Kaiser family foundation also has a wealth of information on the law as well other health issues at www.kff.org.

ranking of the best hospitals in the U.S. among 5,000 evaluated. Go to http://health.usnews.com/ best-hospitals/rankings for more information.

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Bringing Immunity to Every Community Nurses have an important role in immunization, both by being vaccinated to protect their families, contacts and patients, and by advocating for vaccination for a healthy community. To promote this key role, ANA created ANAImmunize. org. From the site you can get nursing-specific immunization education and information, sign up for our newsletter, become a fan on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter. It’s all part of ANA’s Bringing Immunity to Every Community initiative, promoting immunizations to nurses and their surrounding communities. Check it out at www. anaimmunize.org! [source:ANA Smartbrief 7/15/2010.]

Education on Kidney Test Results The National Kidney Disease Education Program recently made a tear off pad “Explaining Your Kidney Test Results” available through their website. Go to www.nkdep.nih.gov/resources/ for more information.

Nominate an Alaskan Nurse Today!

The annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year will be held November 12, 2010 at the Captain Cook Hotel. Last year there were almost 100 nominees and 19 winners, this year we have added the LPN category. Please take the time to nominate a nurse, the unsung heroes, the nurses of Alaska!

To nominate a nurse please go to marchofdimes. com/Alaska or send an email to JOdgers@ marchofdimes.com or call 276-4111; or for tickets.

[Janie Odgers, State Director, March of Dimes] ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

New website for the Affordable Care Act (new Health Care law) The website, healthreform.gov has been archived and the current information on implementation of the new health care law is at www.HealthCare.gov.

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U.S. News Best Hospitals Ranking 2010-2011 U.S. News and World Report, and online and print magazine has published their 2010-2011

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

Membership Categories

AaNA Collective Bargaining Full Members (PAMC, CPH & KGH) contact AaNA (907)274-0827 Full Membership—Employed Full-time or Part-time Reduced Membership—Not Employed Full time student New graduate from basic Nursing Education program, within first six months after graduation (first year only), or 62 years of age or over and not earning more than Social Security allows.

Special Membership—62+ years or totally disabled (not employed)

Dues

AaNA Only Anchorage Monthly (*EFT) & Fairbanks Yearly

Full

Reduced

Special

$17.50 $204.00

$9.00 $102.00

$4.75 $51.00

All Other Monthly (*EFT ) $16.87 $8.20 Locations Yearly $196.50 $98.25 For monthly credit card payments subtract $.50 per month

$4.10 $49.12

____________________________________________________________ Last Name/First Name/Middle Initial ____________________________________________________________ Street or PO Box City/State/Zip

______________________________ Home Phone

____________________________________________________________ Employer Name Unit City/State/Zip

______________________________ Work Phone

____________________________ RN License Number/State

__________________________ FAX Number

_______________________________ E-mail Address

Payment Method—see above for categories and amounts Check—Please make checks payable to the Alaska Nurses Association MasterCard or Visa—available for:  Annual payment

 Monthly payment

_________________________________ _____/_____ $_______ ______________________________________ Card Number Expiration Amount Signature Monthly Electronic Dues Payment *EFT is the monthly Electronic Funds Transfer Plan Amount =Yearly dues / 12 months + $.50 per month service charge See EFT description - 1/12 of your yearly dues will be withdrawn from your checking account monthly along with a monthly service fee. Please: (1) read and sign the below authorization form and (2) enclose a check for the first month.

AUTHORIZATION to provide monthly electronic payments to the Alaska Nurses Association (AaNA): This is to authorize AaNA 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. AaNA is authorized to change the amount by giving the undersigned thirty (30) days written notice. The undersigned may cancel this authorization upon receipt by AaNA of written notification of termination twenty (20) days prior to the deduction date as designated above. AaNA will charge a $5 fee for any return drafts. ________________________________________ Signature for EFT Authorization

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HPV In Men HPV 6 and 11 cause greater than 90% of genital warts. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the HPV-6, 11, 16 and 18 (quadrivalent) vaccine for use in males aged 9 to 26 years to prevent genital warts (condyloma acuminata). In the randomized placebo controlled trial in 3,463 males aged 16 to 23 years, the vaccine was found to be 89% effective in preventing genital warts in the per protocol group and 67% effective in the full group.

These findings support the premise that the quadrivalent vaccine can reduce HPV disease and carriage in a restricted group of men (no history of genital warts, and no more than 5 lifetime sexual partners). Given this, the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) gave a permissive recommendations for boys aged 11-12 years with a catch up of 13-26 years of age. Permissive recommendation allows for the use of the vaccine but stops short of placing it on the routine vaccination schedule. The cost-effectiveness of vaccinating boys and men remains controversial.

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To get involved check off any of the boxes below: Name: ____________________________________ E-mail: ___________________________________ Informational E-mail ❏ Various Nursing Information—If you would like National, State and Local nursing information e-mails from AaNA on a weekly basis. ❏ Action Alerts—If you would like political action alerts for National and State legislative issues involving nursing and health care issues.

Taskforce Members Taskforce 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. ❏ Health and Safety Issues—Taskforces will consider safety and health issues of nurses and patients. ❏ 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. ❏ Other interest? Let us know what you would like to work on:______________ AaNA Committees ❏ 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 third Tuesday of the month. ❏ 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. ❏ 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. ❏ Professional Nursing Practice Issues— Members will consider issues relating to AaNA’s policy on RN practice and other professional issues.

Return Get Involved form, application and payment to: AaNA, 3701 E. Tudor, Suite 208, Anchorage, AK 99507 • Questions? (907) 274-0827 or (800) 811-2576

CDC Podcasts The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a series of podcasts on cervical cancer screening and prevention. These educational sessions present interviews with national authorities including Drs. Phil Castle, Alan Waxman, Stewart Massad, Walter Kinney, Lisa Flowers, and Tom Cox. To download these free podcasts, go to http://www.cdc.gov/podcasts, select the “Browse” tab, and then select the “Women’s Health” series, or click on the titles below.

• Natural History of HPV and Cervical Cancer • Costs Associated with Cervical Cancer Screening • Management of Cervical Cytology with HPV Test • Cervical Cancer Screening with HPV Test • HPV Testing Among Providers • ACOG Recommendations and Guidelines for Cervical Cancer Screening and Management • Case Studies - Cervical Cancer • Cervical Cancer Screening in Underserved Populations • Future Directions - Cervical Cancer [Source: American Society for Colposcopy & Cervical Pathology, July 2010 News Update] ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Two foundational ANA texts revised Two foundational ANA texts—“Nursing’s Social Policy Statement: The Essence of the Profession” (to be released in June) and “Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice” (to be released in August)—have been revised and will be the newest components of ANA’s Foundation of Nursing 2010 Package. When linked with “Guide to the Code of Ethics for Nurses: Interpretation and Application” (2008), these three texts form the basis of contemporary nursing practice. ANA is accepting back orders for the individual titles and the Foundation 2010 package. Order now to save!

For more information go to www.nursesbooks.org

Page 14 • Alaska Nurse

August 2010

Upcoming Events Alaska State Board of Nursing — Upcoming Meetings October 27-29, 2010 January 19-21, 2011

SAVE THE DATE!!!!

FOR THE 2010

Anchorage agenda deadline Sept.29 Anchorage agenda deadline Dec. 29

The Alaska Board of Nursing has a list-serve that is used to send out the latest information about upcoming meetings, agenda items, regulations being considered, and other topics of interest to nurses, employers and the public. To sign up for this free service, go to www.nursing. alaska.gov Choose the “Subscribe Now” box, just above Board Staff information.

Inquiries regarding meetings and appearing on the agenda can be directed to: Nancy Sanders, PhD RN, Executive Administrator Alaska State Board of Nursing 550 West 7th Ave, Ste 1500, Anchorage, AK 99501 Ph: 907-269-8161, fax 907-269-8196, email nancy.sanders@alaska.gov To attend by audio conference call 907-269-8161 for access number ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association’s 27th Annual Conference September 16, 17, and 18, 2010 Anchorage Downtown Marriott www.alaskanp.org or 907-222-6847 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Nurse Practitioners for Women’ s Healthcare 13th Annual Conference October 13-15, 2010 Desert Springs JW Marriott Resort & Spa Palm Desert, California For more information, contact www.npwh.org ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

October 15th and 16th, 2010 Marriott Hotel Downtown Anchorage http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ancdtanchorage-marriott-downtown/ (this year’s room rate is $95.00/night if booked before September 14, 2010)

FSTDI, a training program for health care workers who conduct: STD Partner Management for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia October 19-22 in Anchorage & October 26-29 in Bethel.

This is a skills-building course that covers STD Partner Management from the initial interview, through the investigative process and to the successful testing and treatment of the partners.

This is a no-cost course and Nursing CE contact hours are free.

To register, go to http://stdhivtraining.org/class_ calender.html and click on the course you wish to attend ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

“Practicing Evidence Based Nursing” Educational tracts on Clinical, Leadership/Management, Complementary Alternative Medicine, and Environmental Issues!

Also featuring the annual…..

Nurse/Student Nurse Mentoring Night This year’s theme: “Monster Mash” (Come dressed as your favorite monster or create one for yourself at the party) Join us Saturday evening for food, music, and socializing!

And the popular “Theme basket” silent auction!

We promise you’ll have a goul-d time!

Stay for the Alaska Nurses Association General Assembly meeting Sunday, October 17th Check for conference details and sign up online at: www.asnc10.com Up to 6.5 contact hours per day will be available for attendance at each day of the conference ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

2010 Foundations for Practice Excellence: Core Curriculum for the Cardiovascular Clinician Education Program American College of Cardiology October 21-24, 2010 Heart House Washington, DC www.acc.org/corecurriculum2010 ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Mentoring Workshop October 21 Alaska Native Medical Center 3.6 contact hours For nurses interested in becoming mentors for nursing students, interns and other staff.

For registration and information contact: Edna Hull ANMC Education Department 4315 Diplomacy Drive Anchorage, AK 99508 Phone: 907-729-2930 Fax: 907-729-2931 E-mail: ehull@anthc.org ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Alaska Chapter of the March of Dimes Annual Nurse of the Year Awards Banquet November 12 Hotel Captain Cook.

To nominate a nurse look for forms on line at marchofdimes.com/Alaska in June or please call Janie Odgers at 276-4111 or email JOdgers@ marchofdimes.com. Volunteer, help, donate!

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American Academy of Nurse Practitioners 26th National Conference The Venetian/The Palazzo in Las Vegas, June 22 to 26, 2011 www.aanp.org ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■