
Setting the Pace
Vol 31, Issue 3 |
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Greetings! |  We are happy to present you with the New York State Emergency Nurses Association's latest electronic newsletter. It's packed full of information and many opportunities for our members. As always, we welcome your comments, feedback and suggestions!
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Mickey Forness
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Member Survey Results
Recently NYSCENA conducted a member survey. I would like to thank all the members who responded to the survey. To meet the needs of our members, we will be responding to three issues of concern that were identified.
The first issue was the location of the Setting the Pace conference. For the past several years this event has been held in Saratoga Springs. A majority of responders wanted to have the conference moved to various locations. In an effort to accomplish this request, the following was adopted by the State Council: The conference will be on a three year rotation of Saratoga Springs, Tarrytown and Rochester.
The second issue related to having a repository for free CEU's. The At Large Board Directors are currently doing a search for sites providing free continuing education and these resources will be noted our on state website.
The third and probably the most significant issue was violence in the ED. Our national organization has been dealing with this problem for several years and has developed a toolkit that can be used by facilities in evaluating and dealing with this critical issue. With the overwhelming response to our survey, the Council has developed a work group composed of our Injury Prevention and Professional Issues Committees to work on this topic for our New York State members. Our state currently has a law making assault of an emergency nurse a class C felony, which was strongly supported by our group at the last legislative day. Concerns over administrative support and legal system issues will be the major focus of this work group. Communities and health care facilities cannot exist without emergency nurses. It is unthinkable that these nurses should have to feel there is a personal safety issue in their work environment.
Once again thanks to all who responded to the survey, and please remember this is your organization and we are here to meet your needs.
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IT PAYS TO READ THE FINE PRINT
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By Lori Barker, MS, RN, CEN
Adirondack Chapter
Our community hospital emergency department thought we were seeing a new side effect to Cialis (tadalafil), until we read the prescribing fine print.
I recently cared for a 65 year old man who presented to the Emergency Department with amnesia since waking up in the morning. He had used Cialis, an erectile dysfunction medication (phosphodiesterase inhibitor), the day before and had had intercourse that evening. Upon waking, his partner noticed that he could not retain new memories, literally forgetting conversations that just occurred. The remainder of his neurological exam was normal. He was the third such patient our department had seen with similar symptoms over the last year.
On the official Cialis website, www.cialis.com, page 7 of 22 of the full prescribing information, transient global amnesia (TGA) is listed as a possible adverse reaction under Postmarketing Experience. This voluntary reporting information is included due to its seriousness, reporting frequency, and/or lack of alternative causation. In addition to TGA; MI, SCD, stroke, chest pain, tachycardia, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, migraine, seizure, retinal vein and/or artery occlusion, and visual field defects are listed as possible adverse reactions. Add these to the common side effects of headache, indigestion, back pain and muscle aches, flushing, and stuffy or runny nose, plus uncommon side effects of prolonged erection, or decrease or loss of vision and/or hearing. Perhaps the ad campaign should move from the bathtub to the hospital!
Transient global amnesia is a sudden, temporary episode of primarily antegrade amnesia, not attributed to a more common neurological condition such as epilepsy or stroke. Recall of new memories is affected. Patients do remember who they are and recognize people they know well. Transient global amnesia is rare (3-23 per 100,000), seemingly harmless and unlikely to happen again. Episodes are short-lived, less than 24 hours and 6 hours on average. When the episode ends, patients remember nothing that happened while their memory was impaired. Additional symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, chills or flushing, fear of dying, paresthesias, cold hands and feet, powerful expressions of emotion, racing heartbeat, and chest or neck pain. It is not associated with limb paralysis, involuntary movement or impaired word recognition.
An episode of transient global amnesia often follows a physically or emotionally stressful event, vigorous exercise, exposure to cold, or a strong emotional experience. The underlying cause is unknown, but there is an increased risk in those older than 50 years of age and those with a history of migraines. Theories explaining TGA favor vascular changes involving the hippocampus, where short-term memories are encoded.
If you encounter a possible adverse effect of a medication, read the fine print for potential reactions and be sure to report it to your Pharmacy. The Food and Drug Administration examines aggregate information and mandates drug labeling changes accordingly.
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KICK OFF TO A SAFE SUMMER
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CHATT Chapter
Jacquie Glendinning, Chapter President
Chatt Chapter recently teamed with Mercy Flight of WNY to hold their 2nd annual Kick Off to a Safe Summer on June 11th. Demonstrations were held throughout the day and included extrication from a vehicle by Westons Mills Volunteer FD. Other activities involved the NY State Police Special Operations Response Team (S.O.R.T.) members, Olean Fire Dept. Fire Safety and Prevention, Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Dept., Safe Kids ID's, car seat checks, bike helmet give aways and a K-9 unit, just to name a few. The event was very successful and well attended. Along with bike helmets, safety bags were given to all children who attended. The bags were filled with coloring books, crayons, temporary tattoos, activity books, toothbrushes, dental floss, pencils and brain-shaped erasers. Chapter President Jacquie Glendinning states "If we can educate one family to the importance of being safe while having fun, the event will be considered a success."
 | Chapter President. Jacquie.Glendinning as the victim of an MVC is extricated by Westons Mills VFD during a demonstration of their skills. |
 | K-9 units demonstrate passive alert. The drugs were found and the deputy was alerted without jumping or barking at her |
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NYS 9/11 Scholarship
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Mickey Forness
This year is the 10th anniversary of the tragedy of September 11. At that time, the New York State Council established a scholarship to be awarded to an EMS provider/rescue worker who wishes to pursue education to become a professional nurse. To date, the scholarship has been awarded to 15 candidates.
This event is very near and dear to the hearts of all New Yorkers and especially to ED nurses who lost many of their colleagues in this devastation. In providing for the perpetuity of the scholarship, the State Council is working with ENAF (Emergency Nurses Association Foundation) to obtain endowment of this scholarship. To achieve this endowment, we must raise $100,000. We are running a campaign at present to reach this goal. We are seeking support from all the State Councils and the chapters in the nation. Any private donation clearly marked for the endowment of the 9/11 scholarship can be sent to:
ENA Foundation
915 Lee St
Des Plaines, Ill 60019
NYSCENA will continue to work until our endowment is complete. This scholarship will serve as a memorial to all who made the ultimate sacrifice as well as providing nurses for the future.
ENA NEVER FORGETS
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COMMERATIVE 9/11 SCHOLARSHIP PINS AVAILABLE
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Anyone who donates $10 or more to the ENA Foundation for the endowment of the 9/11 scholarship fund before 9/11/11 will receive a commemorative pin, as announced in a Foundation email sent to ENA members on August 17th. Pins are also available from NYS Council members for a $10 donation and will be available at the national meeting in Tampa.
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GENESEE VALLEY CHAPTER ATTENDS TARRYTOWN MEETING
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Sue Chalupa Breese

Genesee Valley Chapter was well represented at the New York State Council ENA meeting in
Tarrytown on August 13, 2011 with nine chapter members traveling to the meeting. The excitement of being selected as delegates for the National ENA Conference in Tampa brought the members together. NYS President Mickey Forness held sessions to educate the delegates about the ENA proposed resolutions and to explain delegate responsibilities.
Pictured are: Debbie Taylor, Lisa Salvator,Joy Doser,Rosa Waldroff, Ginny Hebda, Dawn MacMullen, Wenda Telfe, Susan Knapp, and Sue Chalupa-Breese
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FROM THE CHAPTERS
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Brooklyn-Staten Island held their Education Day on May 25 with 75 participants. One membership and one national conference registration was awarded. Their June 6 meeting was held at Marco Polo with "Sepsis" as the educational topic. Members on Staten Island have been contacted regarding hosting the Sept. 28meeting at one of their hospitals. Brooklyn and Kings Highway hospitals are requesting TNCC courses.
CHATT's "Kick Off A Safe Summer" on June 11 was successful. (Please see article in this newsletter.) They will again partner with the Red Cross for a 9/11 blood drive.
Lower Hudson's June 8 "All In A Day" conference was a success with more than 100 attendees. A raffle raised $500 to be donated to the 9/11 Endowment Fund. Member P. Ohnmacht will present two posters at the National Scientific Assembly in Tampa.
Manhattan- Bronx's Fall Gala will be a CPEN Review on Sat., October 29 at Montefiore Medical Center.
Mark Twain will raffle one membership for Emergency Nurses Day.
Mid Hudson's next chapter meeting will be held on August 31. Congratulations to Maggie Miller, who received an ENA Foundation scholarship toward studies for her Doctoral Degree in Advanced Nursing Practice.
Southern Tier will hold their ENA Teaching Day on October 5.
Suffolk viewed a presentation on "Medical Missions" at their May meeting. Dr. Wiggins from Southampton Hospital educated the members with an interactive presentation on "12-Lead EKG Interpretation" at the August 18 meeting. Elections are planned for the October 13 meeting at Stony Brook.
 | Dr. Wiggins Educates Suffolk Chapter on EKG Interpretation. |
 | Liz Devine (R) is presented Julie Cangro Award Plaque by Suffolk Chapter Immediate Past President. |
Western is holding a CEN Review on October 27 and 28 at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls. The topic of the August 10 meeting was 'Mercy Flights." A raffle for a national meeting registration was held for members who attended three meetings. "Ischemic Strokes" will be the focus of their October 12 meeting.
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Happy Emergency Nurses Week!
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Happy Emergency Nurses Week!
This year's theme, Excellence in Action, truly exemplifies what each of you accomplishes every day. Your dedication to the profession of emergency nursing is appreciated by all your colleagues as well as all your patients.
On behalf of the almost 40,000 members of the Emergency Nurses Association, the members of the New York State Council Board of Directors applaud you for your endeavors and thank you for all you do as an emergency nurse.
Sincerely,
Mickey Forness, President
Audrey Sealey, President-elect
Deb Taylor, Immediate Past President
Sandi Tetler, Secretary
Rosa Waldroff, Treasurer
Mary Ellen Jennison, Member At Large
Ginny Hebda, Member At Large
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Call for 2012 NYSCENA Council Candidates
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The State Council is looking for candidates for officers for 2012. All of these positions provide leadership and networking opportunities that may not be available to an emergency nurse in the course of his/her regular employment. As a member of the Board of Directors, you can help to shape the future of emergency nursing practice.
Qualifications for all positions:
Be a member in good standing of the New York State Emergency Nurses Association (NYSENA). It is recommended that the candidate be active in his/her Chapter and/or at the State Council level.
The positions to be voted on are:
President -Elect (Three year commitment)
The President-Elect is a one-year term, with the commitment to continue on as President and then as Immediate Past President. The responsibilities of the President-Elect include:
- Serve as parliamentarian for the quarterly State Council meetings.
- Serve as Chairperson to the Awards Committee.
- Assist the President in the day-to-day running of the organization.
- Attend at least 75% of the State Council meetings and Board of Director meetings.
- Be available to advise chapters and serve as liaison between chapters, committees and the State Council.
Secretary (Two year commitment)
As Secretary, an individual would be expected to:
- Attend State Council meetings and Board of Directors meetings.
- Maintain records of the meetings and the directory of officers.
- Disseminate information to officers, chapters and members as directed by the President and the Board.
- Serve as chapter liaison as directed by the President.
Director at Large (Two year commitment)
As Director at Large, the individual would be expected to:
- Attend at least 75% of the State Council meetings and Board of Directors meetings.
- Assist the President in the day to day running of the organization.
- Be available to advise chapters and serve as liaison between chapters, committees and the State Council.
- May serve as Chairperson of a State Council Standing Committee.
Treasurer-Elect (Three year commitment)
The Treasurer-Elect is a one year term with the commitment to continue on as the Treasurer for 2 years. The Treasurer-Elect will work with the Treasurer, who will mentor the individual in managing the financial records for the organization.
In addition to managing the financial records, the Treasurer is expected to:
- Meet with the accountant as needed.
- Chair the Finance Committee.
- Attend at least 75% of the State Council meetings and Board of Directors meetings.
- Assist the President in the day to day running of the organization.
- Publish a financial statement for the membership.
All members are encouraged to nominate candidates. To nominate yourself or someone else, please contact Deb Taylor at ddt1027@verizon.net. Plan to attend the October 22, 2011 meeting in Newburgh to vote for the candidate of your choice.
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A Clinical Question
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Lori Barker from the Adirondack Chapter asks: What, if any, recommendations are there for treating a trauma patient who is on Pradaxa? The product information states there is no antidote. Is FFP advised? Thanks!
Emails were sent to a number of ED nurses. The only response received was from Jonas P. DeMuro, MD, Department of Surgery, Division of Trauma & Critical Care, Winthrop University Hospital, Mineola, NY. Dr. DeMuro states "There is no reversal agent. FFP is not advised, and there are serious concerns in the setting of trauma."
If anyone has additional information about treatment of trauma patients who are taking this drug, please sent comments to the Editor, pparker39@optimum.net, and the information will be published in the next newsletter.
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EXPAND YOUR HORIZON
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Emergency Nurses Association 2011 Annual Conference
Tampa, FL September 20-24
General Assembly- September 21-22
Scientific Assembly- September 22-24
Although delegates to the General Assembly are the only members permitted to vote, all members are invited to attend the meeting to observe your national organization's decision making body at work.
Be sure to visit the NYS ENA booth in the Exhibit Hall.
See you in Tampa!
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Save the Date - Setting the Pace 2012
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SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!! PLAN AHEAD!!!!
Setting the Pace 2012
April 19& 20, 2012
Saratoga Springs, New York
Hopefully you have seen the pictures of Setting the Pace 2011 on our web site. We have enjoyed hearing all the positive and fun comments from our attendees. But we are already moving on!!!
The comments we received from our 2011 evaluations and the NYSENA member survey helped us decide on conference topics for 2012.
We will host another ED MANAGERS forum. So managers, key your blackberry!! If you are a member and your manager does not know about our forum, show them this article. We will be seeking your input for educational topics.
As you have requested, we will have another 4 hour pre-session to meet the requirements for stroke center certification. The content will be varied from this year's lecture.
Other topics will include pediatric physical and sexual abuse, head injury/concussion treatment, trauma case review from an advanced perspective and triage.
We are continuing our "green campaign" as we plan to have our handouts and CEUs on line in a similar fashion to the Scientific Assembly. Obviously there is a lot more to come. Watch for the brochure on NYSENA.org!!
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Upcoming Courses
| Click Here for a PDF for easy printing and sharing.
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2011 New York State Officers
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SAVE THE DATES-NYSCENA 2011 MEETINGS
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September, 21 -24, 2011 ENA National Conference, Tampa, FL Check the conference brochure and/or ena.org for more information. October 21, 2011 TNCC and ENPC Instructor classes, Newburgh Contact Sue Chalupa Breese at sbreese@rochester.rr.com for information. October 22, 2011 Hilton Garden Inn, Newburgh Election Meeting Call 845-567-9500 for reservations. Rooms are $129/night. January 23, 2012 Council Meeting, Albany January 24, 2012 Legislative Day, Albany April 19-20, 2012 Setting the Pace 2012 conference, Saratoga Springs April 21, 2012 Council Meeting For planning purposes, please contact the NYSCENA secretary, Sandi Tetler if attending any Council meeting at enasandi@tetler.net. All New York State members are welcome to attend the meetings. Bring a friend! |
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Thank you for spending some time with us today.
Please submit any ideas, suggestions or articles to:
Editor: Phyllis Parker at pparker39@optimum.net. (Please submit in MS Word format.)
or
via the NYS ENA Website.
Deadlines for the next newsletter is November 1, 2011
Do you have a clinical question? Send it to us.
One of our expert clinicians will answer it in a future newsletter.
Sincerely, |
The Communications Committee NYS Emergency Nurses Association
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