Want to Know More About the Effects of Aging and the Implications for Practice?
To meet the changing practice needs of clinicians, the American Journal of Nursing (AJN), in cooperation with the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), has developed a series of Continuing Education (CE) articles and a network learning partnership to inform clinicians' practice. The educational opportunity includes:
* The bimonthly series A New Look at the Old is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and began in the August 2004 issue of AJN. Articles can be accessed for free through http://www.NursingCenter.com/AJNolderadults. CE credits that count toward certification in gerontological nursing are available on the same web site.
* An AJN Older Adults Forum, where readers can ask specific questions of the authors, as well as exchange information with other clinicians.
* AJN has partnered with PRIMEDIA Healthcare (http://www.wpl.com/healthcare) to disseminate this information through live and prerecorded programming broadcast via satellite networks to all healthcare organizations. To receive CE for the broadcasts or web casts, your organization must be a PRIMEDIA Healthcare subscriber. You can call to see if you're currently a subscriber at 1-888-466-3250, ext. 3029.
AHRQ Releases State-Specific Quality Measures Data
The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released its annual report of state-level healthcare quality data compilations based on the congressionally mandated 2004 National Healthcare Quality Report. The report is based on a detailed analysis of measures designed to help track healthcare quality across the nation and includes state-level statistics (50 states and the District of Columbia) for approximately 100 of these measures. The data are designed to help state health officials more easily identify areas in which they are doing well and those for which quality improvement is needed.
The report extensively examines measures in Cancer, Heart Disease, Maternal and Child Health, Respiratory Diseases, and Nursing Home and Home Health care. The home care measures the percentage of patients who got better at walking or moving around and the percentage of patients who had to be hospitalized. Organizations and clinicians can use these data to examine areas in which their state is excelling and areas it is below the standard to improve quality initiatives, identify partners, develop new programs, and generate new business. The state report can be accessed at http://www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov/qualityreport/state/. To view the full 2004 National Healthcare Quality Report, go to http://www.qualitytools.ahrq.gov/qualityreport.
Child Safety Devices Can Be Useful to Protect the Elderly
Two devices initially developed for keeping children safe can be useful with older clients in danger of getting lost or wandering, as well as for grandparents caring for grandchildren.
Angel Alert is a monitor that automatically emits an audible warning signal when the wearer strays a certain distance from his or her guardian. The Angel Alert can be purchased at http://www.angelalert.net or at retailers nationwide.
The Who's Shoes ID helps reunite caretakers with their charges and decreases the likelihood of children or the elderly being injured or taken advantage of because they are not able to communicate their caregiver's contact information. The ID easily and discreetly attaches to all types of shoes, sandals, belts, swimsuits, etc., and contains information to quickly reunite a lost or injured person with a caregiver. Who's Shoes ID can be purchased at http://www.whosshoesid.com or at various retailers nationwide.
Upcoming Meetings
Telehealth Conference, September 14-15, 2005
The Pennsylvania Homecare Association and the Pennsylvania State University are co-sponsoring the eHealth & Healthcare Technologies Conference, September 14-15 at State College, PA. "eHealthcare: From Research to Practice" will cover topics such as regulatory/legal issues of eHealth, Creative Funding Sources for eHealth, eHealth and Clinical Outcomes, and implementation strategies for rural settings, and hospital and home care organizations. For more information visit http://www.pahomecare.org or http://www.hhdev.psy.edu.
2005 White House Conference on Aging, October 23-26, 2005
The White House Conference on Aging occurs once a decade to make aging policy recommendations to the president and Congress, and to assist the public and private sectors in promoting dignity, health, independence, and economic security of current and future generations of older persons. The conference will be held October 23-26 in Washington, DC. Complete information about the conference can be found at http://www.whcoa.gov.
Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society Biennium Convention, November 12-15, 2005
The 38th biennial convention of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, will be held November 12-16, 2005 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. "Create the Future Through Renewal" is the theme, and more than 700 educational presentations can earn nurses as many as 26.4 hours of continuing education. In addition, more than 100 exhibits will be available for viewing. To view all educational presentations, obtain more information, and make reservations, go to http://www.nursingsociety.org/convention.
24th Annual NAHC Meeting, October 23-26, 2005
The National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) will be held in Seattle, Washington, on October 23-26, 2005. This year's theme, Claiming the Future of Health Care, emphasizes that home care and hospice are the heart and soul of healthcare in America and not an ancillary service. The educational sessions and plenary sessions will center on how leadership involves taking responsibility and setting the course for the future. Go to http://www.nahc.org for comprehensive information about the conference.