THE CAMPAIGN FOR NURSING'S FUTURE
Johnson & Johnson has launched a multiyear campaign that includes national advertising to attract more people to nursing in hospitals and extended care facilities. "We regard nursing as the essence of caring and it is critical to help resolve the deepening nursing shortage in America" (James Lenehan, Vice Chair J&J)
This campaign is estimated to exceed $20 million during the next 3 years. It has been developed with input from the major nursing organizations. The initiative includes:
* New recruitment brochures, posters and videos for 20,000 high schools, 1,500 nursing schools, and nursing organizations.
* Scholarship funds for students and nursing faculty and multicity fundraising campaign with hospitals, nursing organizations, and hospital associations
* A Web site about the benefits of a nursing career, featuring searchable links to hundreds of nursing scholarships (http://www.discovernursing.com).
* A national advertising campaign to celebrate nurses and their contributions.
Personally I would like to thank Johnson & Johnson for its efforts toward this crucial matter and, as spoken by the James Lenehan, "We have always had a special affinity for the nursing profession; they are the essential link between high-tech and high-touch."
PEDIATRIC CRIB SIDERAIL SENSORS
The Harding Manufacturing Company has designed and manufactured a side rail alarm sensor to fit pediatric cribs (Figure 1). This is in response to a small but not insignificant growing number of pediatric patient falls due to improperly latched side rails to cribs. The system is composed of a small electronic sensor located on every crib post and a corresponding magnet. It is powered by a 9-volt battery and a control box with an on/off switch located under the crib. For more information, please contact Manufacturing Co., Inc at 800-873-4273.
INFINITY PATIENT MONITORING SYSTEMS
Siemens Medical Solutions offers the innovative PICK AND GO concept, designed to move wit a patient throughout the hospital and to expand or contract on demand for varying patient types, acuity levels, and care environments. With this device, there is no need to change monitors and cables every time a patient is moved. It transmits patient physiological data, including heart rate, multilead ECG, and pulse oximetry data, to a remote receiver, allowing patients increased mobility and comfort while maintaining surveillance. More information can be obtained through the company's Web site at http://www.siemensmedical.com.
VENTOLIN HFA
GlazoSmithKline has reformulated its product of 30 years, Albuterol. It is now Ventolin HFA, a new environmentally friendly version of the asthma medication Ventolin and is available in the United States (Figure 2). The product uses hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) instead of chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) to propel the medication out of the canister and into the lungs. It continues to be a short-acting bronchodilator that relieves sudden symptoms associated with bronchoconstriction.
KIDZ-MED MEDICINE DISPENSER
The new Kidz-Med medicine dispenser facilitates accurate administering of liquid medicines, even to finicky infants and toddlers. The pacifier has a graduated reservoir that holds up to 5 mL of medicine, which is delivered through the pacifier nipple by gently depressing the built-in "plunger" or by the baby's normal sucking. The plunger feature is unique to the Kidz-Med. This has been orthodontically approved and FDA registered and comprises a polypropylene mouth shield and silicone nipple. All parts are securely welded together for safety and may be sterilized to prevent infection. For more information, please call Lord Richard Imports, Inc, toll-free, at 877-206-3225.