The first-ever international disaster response network for nurses was launched in May 2007 by the International Council of Nurses, aiming to strengthen the response to the health needs of disaster-stricken populations. The network held its first meeting at the International Council of Nurses Conference in Yokohama, Japan, on June 1, 2007. This meeting provided the opportunity to raise awareness of disaster-response issues and develop stress management techniques for emergency situations. The International Council of Nurses Position Statement on Nurses and Disaster Preparedness can be accessed at http://www.icn.ch/psdisasterprep01.htm. The International Council of Nurses is also developing disaster nurse competencies and is interested in supporting this work with educational and accreditation programs. For more information, contact http://www.ich.ch or [email protected].
The Joint Commission of Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations launched a national campaign to help Americans understand their rights when receiving medical care. "Know Your Rights" is part of the Joint Commission of Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations award-winning Speak Up program that urges people to take an active role in their healthcare. Patients who ask questions and are aware of their rights have a greater chance of getting the care they need when they need it. "Know Your Rights provides tips to help people become more involved in their treatment, thus improving the safety and quality of care received. The campaign advices patients that they have a right to be informed about the care they will receive, get information about care in their preferred language, know the names of their caregivers, receive treatment for pain, receive an up-to-date list of current medications, and expect that they will be heard and treated with courtesy and respect. For more information, contact [email protected].
Every second counts for anesthesia patients afflicted by the often deadly condition known as malignant hyperthermia. According to recent research, the intravenous administration of life-saving dantrolene sodium can occur significantly faster, thanks to a new method of warming the diluent that is used to prepare the dantrolene sodium for use. Malignant hyperthermia is a silent, inherited metabolic disorder of the muscle that is triggered by specific inhaled anesthetics or succinylcholine and can result in a severely high body temperature. Affected individuals usually appear normal and have no functional difficulties in everyday life. However, when these individuals receive anesthesia for surgery or some other procedure, this silent disorder can turn deadly. Treatment with dantrolene sodium, a muscle relaxant that restores a healthy level of calcium in the muscles and reduces high body temperature, prevents mortality when administered properly. For more information, contact [email protected].