Improving Safety Culture in Health Care
A new Sentinel Event Alert from The Joint Commission says that leadership’s failure to address a safety culture is a contributing factor to adverse events.
Resources for helping patients with challenging chronic pain problems
Washington is experiencing an opioid crisis. To help address this crisis, UW Medicine and the Washington State Health Care Authority have partnered to offer two services to assist community-practice providers with managing patients with challenging chronic pain problems.
Buprenorphine Update for ARNPs
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, signed into law on July 22, 2016, expanded the privilege of prescribing buprenorphine in office-based settings to qualifying Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) through October 1, 2021.
Social determinants of health: What nurses need to know
As a nurse, you have likely seen the same person get readmitted to your facility over and over again, or perhaps you have wondered what led to a certain patient’s illness. What did the person do or fail to do to stay healthy?
Washington State Association of Nurse Attorneys earns national recognition
In November 2016, the Washington State Chapter of the Association of Nurse Attorneys was one of two state chapters to receive the Outstanding Chapter Award at the American Association of Nurse Attorneys annual conference in Dallas, Texas. The award was based on work developing and presenting our Nursing and the Law continuing education programs.
Nursing Commission Updates
This past year has been a busy one for the Washington State Nursing Quality Assurance Commission, with many updates to various rules, potential legislative bills and advisory opinions and policies.
Final VA APRN Rule Released
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released a final rule granting full practice authority to three of the four established Advance Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) roles, effective January 13, 2017.
ANA designates 2017 as Year of the Healthy Nurse
Do you want to eat healthier, be more active, get better sleep and have more joy? This is your year! ANA is declaring 2017 to be the Year of the Healthy Nurse and will be addressing specific wellness issues every month.
OSHA considers health care workplace violence standard, requests comments
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is considering whether to develop a new standard to prevent workplace violence in health care and social-assistance settings. The agency has issued a public Request for Information on the extent and nature of workplace violence in the industry and the effectiveness and feasibility of methods used to prevent such violence.
CDC updates for Childhood Immunizations
The 2017 schedule, approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was published online today on the CDC website and in Pediatrics. The updated schedule was also approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Public Health is Essential
WSNA is playing a leadership role in a new campaign, Public Health is Essential, designed to educate lawmakers and the public on the critical role public health plays.
CDC updates for Adult Immunizations
The CDC has set the adult immunization schedule for 2017 based upon recommendations made by the agency's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
Mumps Update: Outbreak continues to grow
Mumps cases reported in Washington state are up to 349, according to the most recent numbers released by the Department of Health on Feb. 1. Local county health departments have reported increases in recent days, however, which would increase that number by at least 8 cases. More are expected in coming days.
Nursing Commission Update: Buprenorphine Waiver for ARNPs
The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) (Public Law 114-198) extending the privilege of prescribing buprenorphine in office-based settings to qualifying nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) until Oct. 1, 2021. CARA requires that NPs complete 24 hours of training to be eligible for a prescribing waiver.
Regulatory changes impacting ARNP practice
Parity reimbursement and the Comprehensive Addictions and Recovery Act.
Important message from WA Dept. of Health on Flu Epidemic
The influenza season is in full swing in Washington! Currently, it appears we are near the peak of a moderately severe season. Several hospitals, particularly those located in the I-5 corridor, are reporting limited to no bed availability along with the need to board patients in emergency departments and other locations. Several emergency departments are also experiencing large volumes of patients and long wait times.
DOH recommendations for mumps outbreak in Washington
Mumps has spread and health officials urge immunization. The Washington State Department of Health reminds people across the state to take precautions to help stop the spread of mumps. It’s especially important for you as a health care professional to take precautions.
New opioid overdose training video
The Center for Opioid Safety Education has just released a new opioid overdose training video specifically for WA State.
Latest Bureau of Labor Statistics profiles of RNs and ARNPs
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has profiles of different occupations that include Top 5 lists for states with the most workers in those occupations and states that have the highest mean wages for the occupations. We took a look at the BLS profiles for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and discovered that Washington didn't make the Top 5 for any of the profile lists. So, we went in and created tables that included all states to see where Washington ranked.
ANA's new "Nurses by the Numbers"
ANA's Nurses by the Numbers is the first of an annual series of curated Federal data on registered nurses. Access to the document is free and includes a selection of up-to-date information about the RN/APRN employment environment.
ANA: U.S. Surgeon General Needs Nurses' Help on Opioid Epidemic
The American Nurses Association shares information and links to free webinars, online CEs and the Health Care Professional's Pledge to address the opioid epidemic.
More ways to help Louisiana flood victims
The Louisiana Nurses Association and AFT both have opened relief funds to help those affected by the flooding in Louisiana.
Nurses needed to help victims of Louisiana flooding
The American Red Cross Disaster Health Services needs nurses and other health professionals as it helps victims of the flooding in Louisiana. The Red Cross needs to hear as soon as possible from those who can help.
Seattle/King County Free Clinic needs more nurse volunteers
This year, the event goal is to provide free dental, vision and medical care to 4,000 people in need from our community year — more nurses are needed!
