Maine ENA Newsletter Archive

President's Corner

Sandie Weagle, RN, CEN

Waldo County Hospital, Belfast

Transparency

According to David Westman, executive Director of ENA, the concept at the national office is "Transparency". One of the definitions of transparency is "the state of being completely open and frank about things". Maine ENA believes this is a valuable attribute and one that is essential for our association, both nationally and at the state level.

In the past there has been a concern, at the state level, that the national office has not always been open and frank about their activities and the reasons for them. Maine ENA sees the posture changing. There is a much freer exchange of information as more details are filtered down to the state organizations and communication has improved. It is also become more apparent that communication needs to flow freely from the states to the national level. E-mail is a wonderful tool!

In 2002, Maine ENA conducted a survey of emergency department nurses from all Maine hospitals. We asked members and non-members to give us their perception of our state’s professional organization. It was our intent to make Maine ENA more transparent. We listened to the respondents and tried to incorporate many of the suggestions. It is now time for us to evaluate our actions and seek further guidance from our colleagues.

The Maine ENA Nurse Practice Committee is developing a follow-up survey to be distributed to all emergency departments in the state. We invite MENA members and non-members to respond to the changes we have made and to give us your ideas for further improvement. The board of directors of MENA will carefully consider all comments, criticisms, and suggestions. We want this organization to meet your needs and to continue to promote professional growth. Please take the time to answer the survey.

With your help, Maine ENA will work to become more transparent.

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Maine SAFE KIDS

Maine SAFE KIDS will conduct a Child Passenger Safety Technician Class on April 5-9, 2005 at the Falmouth Fire Department. The 5-day class will be taught using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Child Passenger Safety Training Program curriculum. Students who complete the class will be eligible to become certified as Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

A brochure and registration form can be found at the Maine Child Passenger Safety Class website at www.mainecpsclass.org Registrations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please contact Maine SAFE KIDS at 207-774-9891 or mainecps@aol.com

Maine DHHS Injury Prevention Program will conduct a CPS Technician class on June 2, 3, 6, & 7, 2005 in Bangor. For more information about the Bangor class, please contact Betty Mason at betty.mason@maine.gov or 207-287-4288.

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ENPC

ENPC Courses

• May 26 & 27
• September 29 & 30
• November 14 & 15

ENPC instructor Courses

• June 9

Central Maine Medical Center. Lewiston

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Membership

Maine ENA Membership is at 224!

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CEN Review Questions

From CEN Review by Renee Simonin Holleran

1. A 43-year old female is triaged to the fast track with the complaint of painful, swollen, and bleeding gums. She states that her teeth are "coming loose". Systemic risks that contribute to the development of periodontal disease include:
   1. Adequately fitting upper and lower dentures
   2. Good quality daily fluid and nutrition intake
   3. Cardiovascular disease
   4. Pregnancy, cigarette smoking, and neoplasm
2. No evidence of acute infection is identified after evaluation, and she is sent home and instructed to rinse her mouth with peroxide mouthwash. She returns 48 hours later with extensive facial swelling and cellulites over the lower part of her jaw. Her tongue is swollen, and she is complaining of difficulty swallowing and shortness of breath. The most probable cause of her symptoms is:
   1. Pericoronitis
   2. Vincent’s Disease
   3. Ludwig’s Angina
   4. Multiple dental abscesses
3. The emergency nurse should prepare for a potential:
   1. Circulatory compromise
   2. Airway compromise
   3. Neurological compromise
   4. Febrile seizure
4. Mrs. Bush brings her 5-year-old son to the emergency department. He has a history of falling in the hospital parking lot and knocking his tooth out. She hands you the tooth. In order to “save” the tooth, you immerse it in:
   1. Cold milk
   2. Iced tap water
   3. Normal saline
   4. Lactated Ringer’s solution
5. For successful re-implantation, the avulsed tooth should be reinserted into the socket within:
   1. 15 minutes
   2. 30 minutes
   3. 60 minutes
   4. 120 minutes

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ENCARE

January-August 2004

We are all doing education daily in the work that we perform, let’s start taking credit for it. Any time that you educate the public on injury prevention, please notify me, so I can send these numbers into National ENA, and Maine ENA will get credit for our hard work.

• Dare To Care – 2663 students through out the state.
• Many students educated through the “Every Second Counts”, or Wake Up Call.
• Bike Helmets – 75 helmets fit and 2 bike rodeos.
• Gun Locks – 410 gun locks – more have been given away, but no numbers have been reported.
• CPS Fitting – 12 events with at least 70 seats fit and given away.
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Education – At least 2 Presentations.
• Encare Provider Class – 1 new class.

Encare Provider Class

Southern Maine Medical Center, March 21, 2005 / 0900 – 1400

Cost: $50.00 to be paid in advance

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Government Affairs Report

Pamela Poisson, RN, Chair, Government Affairs

The 122nd session is just starting and so far 414 bills have been introduced. Below are the ones, which have a connection to nursing or health issues. I will keep you updated as the session progresses. I have given a short overview of each of these Legislative Documents (LD).

Legislative Documents (LD)

21 To enhance community involvement regarding methadone clinics – prohibits new clinics within 2,000 feet of a licensed child-care facility or a school. Requires public hearing before granting initial licenses for a clinic.

49 To reduce forgery and fraud in obtaining prescription drugs – requires that the number be written out on prescriptions.

52 Authorize certain campers to carry asthma inhalers and epi-pens - similar law to one already in place for public and private schools.

61 Authorize a judge to order involuntary commitment of a person, with known mental illness, under health care professional care, who is not taking the medications prescribed for that illness.

80 Allows police to make stops only for an unbelted offence, now they must have another reason to make a stop.

107 Takes the wishes of the dead over the next-of-kin in donation of organs, removes the need for 2 witnesses for the signing of donor cards, establishes an electronic donor registry.

127 Requires health insurance policies and HMO to provide coverage for medically necessary rehabilitation services.

129 Establishes an unused prescription drug program for low-income people.

130 An act to establish a single – payer health care system.

134 An act to implement the recommendations of the commission to study public health, obesity.

148 Requiring physicians to provide education to patients about thimerosal in vaccines.

151 Deals with administering medications to persons with mental illness.

160 Prohibits smoking in bingo hall, off-track betting, and clubs that serve food or alcohol.

172 Mandating the wearing of helmets for all motorcycles, motor driven cycles, mopeds, or in a sidecar on or off the highway.

182 An additional $1.00 will be added to marriage license fees to be used to fund domestic violence shelters.

185 Deals with the disposal of products containing mercury.

196 Deals with the yearly review of ambulance reimbursement rates by Maine Care, making them no less than the average federal Medicare rates for the same service.

211 Bill to make hospitals disclose the prices to the public for 10 most frequent payors for each service or procedure.

239 A plan to create a partnership between the state and hospitals to identify and treat eating disorders in young women.

282 Makes assault/death of unborn children a crime. Does not apply to consented procedures (abortion).

307 Bill establishes a recreational watercraft-training program to promote safe operation.

343 By January 1, 2006 health care provider will charge the same service regardless of the patient or the anticipated payor.

405 A resolve to establish a pilot program for the education of RN’s who are interested in long-term care. It will be operated at four community college locations and funded equally from the health care training fund and private donations.

**Please note LD 80, LD 160, and LD 172 are major safety issues that we will probably be hearing a lot about.

My statement about LD 80:

Primary Seat Belt Legislation

by Sandie Weagle, RN, CEN

Governor John Baldacci held a news conference on Wednesday, January 12, 2005, to announce the introduction of L.D. 80, An Act to Amend the Law Governing the Use of Seat Belts. L.D. 80 is sponsored by Senator Christine Savage, and has been referred to the Transportation Committee by Senator Damon.

Passage of L.D. 80 would mean that a police officer could stop a vehicle specifically if occupants were not wearing seat belts. The current law allows officers to stop vehicles where occupants under the age of 18 do not wear seat belts, if police stop the vehicle for another violation.

Maine ENA supports a primary seat belt law for the state of Maine. As emergency nurses, we see the results of motor vehicle crashes on a regular basis. Increasing the use of seat belts will decrease the number of crash fatalities, lessen the severity of injuries and permanent disabilities, and reduce the costs of medical care for crash victims.

Please follow the progress of L.D. 80, and contact your legislators in support of this important and necessary legislation. The legislative information office, at 287-1692 will have hearing information and progress reports. The state web site also has this info on www.maine.gov.

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Emergency Departments Employment Opportunities

Maine General Health

We are currently searching for experienced RNs to become part of the ED team at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta and Waterville.

• State of Maine RN license required
• 3 to 5 years of ED clinical experience required but willing to train exceptional candidate.

Call and learn more about the opportunities Maine General Health has to offer.

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CEN Review Answers

1. D

   Systemic risk factors that contribute to the development of periodontal disease include pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, HIV, advanced age, male gender, and heredity.

2. C

   Ludwig’s Angina is characterized by bilateral swelling of the jaw and neck, marked elevation of the tongue, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing. It results from a secondary infection involving the 2nd and 3rd molars. Vincent’s Disease, or acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, presents with signs and symptoms that include bleeding, edematous gums, poor oral hygiene, and bad breath.

3. B

   The displacement of the tongue because of excessive swelling places the patient at risk for airway compromise. Emergency equipment, particularly for emergent cricothyrotomy, should be placed at the bedside.

4. A

   Cold Milk

5. B

   30 minutes

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NERS 2005

NERS 2005 will be held May 16-18 at the Marriott Sable Oaks in South Portland, ME. The Planning Committee has been working for some time now, and plans are well under way. The Symposium is Co-Chaired by Susan Dupler and Karen Taylor with many MENA members contributing to the overall success of the conference.

Carmen Hetherington is chairing the Program Committee. She has all speakers confirmed already. Tess Gerritsen, MD, a nationally known author, will be speaking, as well as doing a book signing for her latest medical mystery thriller. The speakers will cover a broad range of topics certain to interest the beginner to novice ED RN’s. The cap-note will be done by Kathy Eliscu and will be sure to leave us exiting with a positive outlook.

Barry Worthing is chairing the Vendors Committee and, along with his assistants, has many ideas for vendor contributions as well as area attractions.

Jane Whittaker and her group are actively soliciting donations for the Hospitality Committee. Look for information on Maine Hospital Basket Raffles (always a big draw!). There will be many give-aways, but you must attend to be a winner.

NERS 2005 promises to be an excellent educational experience and a lot of fun. Make plans now to attend!

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TNCC

EMMC, Bangor

• April 12 & 13

CMMC, Lewiston

• April 20 & 27
• September 21 & 28

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Maine ENA Newsletter Info

Carol Minnis, RN, CEN
Maine General Medical Center, Waterville

Maine ENA and I would appreciate any input to our newsletter. This would include:

• Nursing Stories
• Clinical Narratives, “The Work of Nursing”
• What’s going on at your hospital?
• Awards
• Tips and Solutions

Advertisement rates

• 1/4 page :$15.00
• 1/2 page :$30.00
• full page :$60.00

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