Nursing News and Research

Latest Nursing News and Research

Hepatitis C outbreak investigation continues

A hepatitis C outbreak investigation has led detectives to a nursing director of the clinic at the centre of their inquiry. The woman in question is Carol Richards, 68, from Croydon Hills who will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court today charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

25 Nov 2010

NSW emergency departments falling short on targets

According to the Bureau of Health Information’s latest Hospital Quarterly Figures emergency departments in New South Wales hospitals are still not meeting recommended waiting targets. The figures reveal that more than a third of patients transferred by an ambulance waited longer than the accepted 30 minutes to be taken into the care of emergency departments.

25 Nov 2010

UMDNJ researchers develop comprehensive strategy for recovery from smoking addiction

Researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), following 10 years of studying tobacco use among smokers with mental illness, have developed a comprehensive strategy for recovery from smoking addiction that could serve as a nationwide model.

25 Nov 2010

Medicaid: Texas GOP activists push to drop the program; Fla. nurse practitioners vie for larger role

Dallas Morning News: "Tea party members and other conservative activists pushed state lawmakers Tuesday to vote to nullify the federal health care law and get out of Medicaid, though one GOP senator said the largely federally funded program pays for nursing home care for the elderly and disabled and is 'not all bad.' … Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Debra Medina and dozens of others said the Legislature should declare the federal law void and also refuse to set up a state health insurance exchange.

24 Nov 2010

Breastfeeding while taking epilepsy drugs may not affect child's IQ

New research from the Emory University School of Medicine offers reassurance for nursing mothers with epilepsy. According to a study published in the November 24 online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, breastfeeding a baby while taking a seizure medication may have no harmful effect on the child's IQ later in life.

24 Nov 2010

Elsevier to host 9th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium

Elsevier, the leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced that the 9th Pangborn Sensory Science Symposium has been confirmed, taking place in Kyoto, Japan on 4-8 September 2011.

24 Nov 2010

CCCA to improve Indigenous health services with cultural competency training for NSW GPs and nurses

The Centre for Cultural Competence Australia (CCCA) will provide new online Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency training to health professionals in New South Wales. Initially, 550 employees from the NSW General Practice Network will be trained in cultural competency, in order to improve the provision of health services for Indigenous communities throughout the state.

24 Nov 2010

Policy of routine error disclosure may minimize impact of medical errors

People who believe their doctor or hospital would inform them if a medical error occurred are "far more forgiving" than those who doubt their health care provider would disclose the error, reports a study in the November issue of Medical Care.

24 Nov 2010

Novel sharps disposal device reduces container-associated sharps injuries by 81%

A safety enhanced disposal device could prevent more than 19,000 accidental needlesticks and other "sharps" injuries to healthcare workers, suggests a study published in the current issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

24 Nov 2010

FDA warning leads to decrease in antidepressant prescribing for young patients

An FDA warning regarding increased suicide risk in children and teens taking antidepressant drugs has led to an overall decrease in antidepressant prescribing for young patients, reports a study in the November issue of Medical Care. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading provider of information and business intelligence for students, professionals, and institutions in medicine, nursing, allied health, and pharmacy.

24 Nov 2010

More salt in many holiday meals, cardiologist warns

There can be far more salt in many holiday meals than people realize, and the proof can be found at hospital emergency rooms. Heart problems aggravated or unmasked after ingestion of a significant amount of salt tend to make holidays such as Thanksgiving, Passover and Christmas very busy times for health providers like University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) cardiologist Marc Klapholz, M.D., F.A.C.C.

24 Nov 2010

ODS Security enters strategic partnership with TSSI

ODS Security and Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. have announced a strategic partnership that allows commercial, military and government customers to leverage the 700 person security guard force of ODS Security with over 100,000 security-related products and training provided by TSSI.

23 Nov 2010

Striking nurses’ agenda backed by doctors

The NSW nurses’ go on strike today (Wednesday) calling for improved nurse-to-patient ratios and the Australian Medical Association (AMA) has spoken up in their support. However the AMA does not support their decision to strike in defiance of the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). The strike is taking place despite an IRC order the union call off the strike and government pleas for it to return to the negotiating table.

23 Nov 2010

2010 issue of Johns Hopkins Nursing explores new collaborative opportunities

When it comes to healthcare, an innovative team approach is essential to providing excellent patient care, advancing research, and educating future healthcare providers. The fall/winter 2010 issue of Johns Hopkins Nursing explores how today's nurses work to bridge disciplines and discover new collaborative opportunities.

23 Nov 2010

Frequent hemodialysis improves left ventricular mass, physical health than conventional treatment

Frequent hemodialysis improved left ventricular mass (heart size) and self-reported physical health compared to conventional hemodialysis for kidney failure, according to the Frequent Hemodialysis Network (FHN) Daily Trial funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

23 Nov 2010

Health workforce faces challenges with economic downturn, effort to improve quality of care

The Los Angeles Times: Although healthcare has been one of the most reliable "generators of new jobs in California," the situation is changing. A "lousy economy has caught up with an industry once considered virtually immune to downturns. The sector, which employs about 1 in 10 Californians, has stalled at a time when healthcare employment continues to grow nationally.

23 Nov 2010

Explaining changes to Part D plans, fixing doctors' Medicare reimbursements, fighting hikes in long-term care insurance

News outlets cover various issues related to Medicare, including reports about prescription drug coverage and the continuing debate surrounding physician pay. Meanwhile, long-term care insurance is also an important issue for seniors.

23 Nov 2010

Omega announces expiration of Senior Notes due 2020

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. announced today that its offer to exchange any and all of its outstanding $200 million of 7½% Senior Notes due 2020 that were issued in a private placement in February 2010, for $200 million of 7½% Senior Notes due 2020 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, November 22, 2010.

22 Nov 2010

First Edition: November 22, 2010

Today's headlines offer a range of health policy stories, including more reports on deficit reduction issues, the continuing politics swirling around the health law repeal effort and employers' soaring health care costs.

22 Nov 2010

VYTORIN reduces major vascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease

In a new investigational study of VYTORIN, the cholesterol-lowering medicine from Merck, VYTORIN 10/20 mg reduced the incidence of first major vascular events defined as non-fatal heart attacks or cardiac death, stroke or any revascularization procedure by a highly statistically significant 16.1 percent compared to placebo, Study of Heart and Renal Protection study involved more than 9,000 patients who, on average, had advanced or end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD)

22 Nov 2010