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A new Hartford Institute initiative, Resourcefully Enhancing Aging in Specialty Nursing, REASN, a four-year project funded in October 2007, aims at reaching nurses through their membership in specialty nursing associations, and brings them the tools and knowledge they need to improve the quality of care they provide to older adults. When the Hartford Institute began its work with specialty nurses in 2002, directed by Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, most specialty nursing associations had little or no emphasis on the care of older adults. Now, many nursing organizations have developed a geriatric presence on their websites, established standing geriatric special interest groups, developed continuing education materials, and bolstered the geriatric content of their publications and meetings.

Specialty nurses, who compose 20 percent of the nation's nurse workforce, care predominantly for older adults, yet few have received targeted education in the ways in which older adults present illness, and respond to treatment. This project comes at a key moment, as the proportion of older adults in the U.S. patient population continues to rise.

"This program has been phenomenally successful," says Dr. Mezey, "with many nursing associations strongly embracing the goals of the initiative and developing their own geriatric educational models specific to their specialties."

This phase of the Hartford Institute's work with specialty nursing, funded through Atlantic Philanthropies (USA) Inc., is to build on the capacity of specialty associations to create and disseminate enduring and advanced geriatric clinical materials for members. The Hartford Institute has identified 13 hospital-based associations with which to build in-depth collaborative relationships through which to promote geriatric best practices. This project will also include continued work with and funding opportunities for many other specialty nursing associations who have partnered with the Hartford Institute in the past.

For a listing of the specialty nursing associations who have partnered with the Hartford Institute on enhancing the care of older adults in specialty nursing, visit the specialty practice section of ConsultGeriRN.org.

By Sarah Greene Burger, RN-C, MPH, FAAN
Senior Advisor on Special Projects, Hartford Institute

Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes is a voluntary campaign designed and managed by a steering committee that is made up of a coalition of twenty-eight organizations. These national organizations represent providers, professionals, consumers, workers, regulators and funders. The eight goals were decided by the founders (original steering committee) prior to the announcement of the campaign in September 2006 at the prestigious Institute of Medicine in Washington, DC. Seven of the eight geriatric nursing organizations in the Coalition of Geriatric Nursing Organizations (CGNO) are members of the steering committee, assuring a strong nursing presence in decision making and national effort.

After eighteen months, 6,800 of 42.3% of the nations' 16,000 nursing homes have joined the campaign. Preliminary data shows that nursing homes participating in the campaign are outperforming non-participants in the four clinical goals. Webinars on acute and chronic pain and pressure ulcers reached about 8000 nursing home staff across the country. The next webinar is on one of the four process goals, Consistent Assignment, on June 3rd, 2008, 2:00-3:30 pm EST. Log on to register for the conference. You may also call (888)86901189 and tell the operator you want to register for the conference # 44387623. Power points will be posted on the nhqualitycampaign.org by May 23rd.

Why does the campaign succeed? The key to active participation are the Local Area Networks of Excellence (LANE). Modeled after the national steering committee, these state based organizations support facilities working on the goals they have chosen. The nursing community at large can help the campaign by asking nursing homes if they are participating and urging them to do so. www.nhqualitycampaign.org

Webinars:
The Infusion Nurses Society (INS)
INS will be presenting a webinar entitled Complications Associated with Vascular Access Device Patency, on May 20, 2008 at 1:00 PM EDT. The program is free to all INS members ($35 for nonmembers). This module is the second of a three-part series entitled Catheter Patency: Flushing Away the Myths. The series examines current guidelines for flushing IV catheters, complications associated with vascular access devices, and alternatives to heparin in locking and maintaining central vascular access devices. The first module was presented on April 15, 2008 and is archived on the INS Web site.
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Blogs:
Visit A Blog on Program Evalution by George J. Huba, Ph.D., president of The Measurement Group, LLC. The Measurement Group specializes in the application of scientific methods of program evaluation to help health and social services programs document their activities and programs, record outcomes, assure the quality of their services, and improve quality.
A Blog on Program Evalution

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
May 3-8, 2008, Chicago IL
Join AACN at the National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition, (NTI) the premier conference for nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients and their families. NTI provides cutting-edge education with up-to-date content including evidence-based content for cardiac, pediatric or neonatal nurses, progressive care, emergency or trauma nurses, and advanced practice nurses, nurse managers or directors. Topics include geriatric syndromes and geriatric auscultation.
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Infusion Nurses Society (INS)
May 3-8, 2008, Phoenix, AZ
Join INS as they hold their 35th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Industrial Exhibition on May 3-8, 2008. Topics covered during this conference range from medication safety in the older adult to emerging trends in vacular access. The meeting will also feature a 5-hour focus track on External Jugular Cannulation and a CRNI® Preparatory Review Program to help participants prepare for the CRNI® Examination.
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American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)
May 4-8, 2008, Grapevine, TX
Join ASPAN as they hold their 27th National Conference on May 4-8, 2008, entitled "Be the Voice: Advocacy through Education, Practice, Research & Legislative Involvement". Sessions include "Caring for the Age Specific Trauma Patient: Pediatric to Geriatric", "Conscience Clauses: Nursing's Right or Violation of Nursing Ethics" and "Care of the PeriAnesthesia Geriatric Patient".
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National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON)
May 17-21, 2008, San Jose, CA
Join NAON as they hold their annual congress on May 17-21, 2008 entitled, "The NAON Network: Gateway to Excellence". The NAON Geriatric Special Interest Group will be presenting the following session: Geriatric SIG Presents: NICHE Sites share their experiences.
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If you have questions or comments, or if you have a geriatric-related story or event you would like featured in our newsletter, please send your request to editor@ConsultGeriRN.org.