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NURSING
BRIEFS
Tidbits
of News from Around the 'Net
Coalition to
Protect America's
Healthcare
This site is
dedicated to making changes to the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) that has
caused such a financial crisis among American healthcare
providers. Maybe you've seen their commercials on TV
lately. If you've read any of my Internet articles, you know I
view this as the primary cause of problems with MOT, cutbacks,
etc. Check out their site and see what you can do to help (no
they don't even ask for your money). Go to http://www.protecthealthcare.org/home.asp
and take advantage of your opportunity to help improve the delivery
of health care.
New
Jersey Governor Vetoes OT Legislation
Gov. Christie Todd
Whitman gave a conditional veto to legislation pending in N.J. that
prohibits mandatory over-time (MOT) for health care employees.
While agreeing in principle with the legislation, Gov. Whitman wishes
to have the bill modified from prohibiting MOT to setting a maximum
number of MOT hours per week. She would also seek to allow
providers to exceed that number in emergency situations.
Healthcare
System Recruits Nursing Students
Here's a site
theme that will likely pop up all across the web. Jefferson
Health System has launched a site to recruit new people in to the
profession of nursing. The site is nicely done. To check
it out go to http://www.tobeanurse.com/.
Federal
Safety Needle Legislation
Safety Needles
will soon be the law of the land. Legislation has been passed
and signed into law. Be looking for new products where you
work, if you don't already have them. This is expected to save
hundreds of lives and thousands of infections annually. The
legislation also requires that non-management employees participate
in the selection of these safety products for their facilities.
U. of Chicago
Cuts Back Nursing Staff
The University of
Chicago Medical Center eliminated 140 nursing assistant
positions. The CNA positions were originally created after RN
cutbacks to see if money could be saved. You think they're
adding the RNs back? No, they say patient care will be
maintained by increased efficiency. Like nursing can be
compared to an assembly line.
Million Nurse March
The Million Nurse
March is now slated for May, 2001. Plans and preparations will
be made for state and federal gatherings. For up-to-date info
you can check out the new Million Nurse March site at http://www.mnm.bigstep.com/.
You can also count on us to keep you informed as details are published.
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MEDICATIONS
IN THE NEWS
Phenylpropanolamine
Warning
The FDA has issued
a warning for phenylpropanolamine, a non-prescription medication used
in hundreds of cold remedies, diet supplements and allergy
preparations. The FDA is concerned with a linkage to
phynylpropanolamine and hemorrhagic strokes. The FDA is also
asking manufacturers to discontinue marketing products containing
this drug. For complete details you can visit the FDA website
at http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm
FDA Approves
Trizivir for HIV Treatment
The FDA has
approved Trizivir for treatment of HIV positive adults and
teens. The medication will make medication compliance for those
patients taking: Ziagen (abacavir/ABC), Retrovir
(zidovudine/AZT), and Epivir (lamivudine/3TC). Prescribed as 1
tablet bid for those over 40kg. There are some sever side
effects to Ziagen and physicians should register patients by calling 1-800-270-0425.
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