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Nurse Researchers Have Big Impact- Quietly

For 25 years the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) has supported important clinical and basic research on patient care, disease prevention, nurse staffing, pain management, palliative care and more. With little fanfare or public notice the NINR funds over 300 research projects which the organization characterizes as person-centered and point-of-care focused.

A recent Nursing Spectrum/Nurse Week article noted some of the more influential NINR-supported studies including research on the Transitional Care Model for assisting at-risk elderly patients after discharge which is now incorporated into health care reform, and research by Linda Aiken, RN, PhD on nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

To find out more, go to www.ninr.nih.gov where you can read about recent research findings, learn about a symposium commemorating the institute's 25th anniversary, and comment on the NINR's draft strategic plan.

RNs Promote Health and Better Hospital Staffing

Nurses combined blood pressure screenings with advocacy for safe nurse staffing during the recent veto session in Springfield. HEART/AFSCME and the RN2RN Network sponsored a Wellness Table in the dome of the Capitol building where nurses provided free blood pressure screenings while also lobbying for legislation that would set safe nurse-to-patient ratios in Illinois hospitals.

Energized by recent research documenting the benefits of the California nurse staffing ratios, nurses in Illinois have been building support for the nurse staffing legislation to be introduced in the new legislative session next year.

New Research Shows Ratios Working in California

A major study released in April demonstrates what most bedside nurses have known all along: that nurse-to-patient ratios reduce patient mortality, improve the work environment for nurses and reduce nurse burnout. This runs counter to arguments made by hospital administrators opposed to the nurse ratios bill RNs have been working to pass here in Illinois.

The research, published in the policy journal Health Services Research, was led by Linda Aiken, RN, PhD of the University of Pennsylvania and compared nurse staffing in California to two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, without mandated staffing ratios. In an analysis of patient outcomes, the comparison revealed that hospitals that did not maintain the nurse ratio for medical/surgical units (1:5) set in California were likely to have higher patient mortality rates. Click here to read the full study.

Trends in Nursing Practice

“Trends in Nursing Practice: Working Together for Quality and Respect”

group shot A half-day conference sponsored by the School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, the RN2RN Network and AFSCME Council 31 was held on Saturday, September 25 at the UIC Medical School Campus. RNs from around the region attended to discuss challenges facing bedside nurses and opportunities for nurses to work together to address those challenges.

The keynote speech was given by Dana Beth Weinberg, PhD about her book Code Green: Money-Driven Hospitals and the Dismantling of Nursing. Her presentation can be found by clicking here.

Several workshop were held during the conference on the following topics:

A. Nurse Staffing Ratios- Recent Research and California Perspectives
Learn the facts about nurse staffing ratios and patient outcomes and hear about California nurses' experiences. Presenters: Jean Ann Seago, RN, PhD, University of California San Francisco, and Denise Duncan, RN, United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. To view Jean Ann Seago's presentation click here. To view Denise Duncan's presentation click here .

B. Impact of Health Care Reform on Nursing Practice healthcare workshop Health care reform will bring significant changes, but what does it mean for nurses and the nursing profession? Find out more about the law and opportunities for improving nursing practice. Presenter: Katherine Cox, MPH, Nurse Workforce Issues, AFSCME. To view the presentation click here .

C. Union Strategies for Improving Patient Care
Nurses need to have a voice in the delivery of care. Learn how nurses can work together through unions to improve the quality of care and work environment. Presenter: Darlene Clark, RN, MS, Senior lecturer Pennsylvania State University.

D. Challenges Facing Filipino Nurses
From the terms of work contracts to the global factors that drive the recruitment of foreign-trained nurses, there are many thorny issues to discuss and many options for tackling the problems together to advance the nursing profession. Presenter: Butch de Castro, PhD, MSN/MPH, RN, University of Washington, School of Nursing.

E. Linking Wage Lawsuits and Improving Nurse Staffing
Nurses around the country have filed lawsuits to recoup wages for times when they working during their meal periods and after punching out due to inadequate staffing. Understand your rights and how these suits can challenge chronic shortstaffing and punishing workloads. Presenters: Steve Yokich, attorney, Cornfield and Feldman, and Meg Lewis-Sidime, AFSCME Council 31.

Support the Campaign for Safe Patient Care!

Groups from across Illinois - community organizations, patient advocacy groups, nurse associations, block clubs, and more - are joining together to improve the quality of care in Illinois hospitals.

Your organization can help promote safe patient care by signing on to the CAMPAIGN FOR SAFE PATIENT CARE GOALS and by helping us reach patients who want to communicate their experiences and concerns. Not enough has been done to improve patient safety in the ten years since the Institute of Medicine estimated that up to 98,000 patients die every year from preventable medical errors. We know that more informed consumers and better nurse staffing will help reduce medical errors and improve the quality of care.

We all pay a staggering price for medical errors - especially patients and their families. With your support we can and will make our hospitals safer places.

Campaign for Safe Patient Care sign on form here.

Patient/Consumer survey on hospital care here.

Campaign for Safe Patient Care partner letter here.

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