From the Desk of
the President...
May 2007
Dear Nurses,
The new catch phrase that you will hear referring to how your daily
work flows is “ease of practice”. Part of ENA’s mission is to
provide continuing education and work on those issues that affect
your ease of practice. In a joint effort with ACEP, ENA and other
hospital and pharmacy associations, they met with the Joint
Commission to discuss their rulings of medicine reconciliation in
the Emergency Department. After the problems with medicine
reconciliation in the Emergency Department and the possible delay of
treatment was explained, the Joint Commission gave the EDs a year
before the implementation would be mandatory. Even though there is
no evidence based research to support the Joint Commission's ruling,
they have rescinded their postponement and are requiring the ED
participate in their medication reconciliation mandate.
Why should decisions on how we practice be made by people who do not
work under our conditions? Is it acceptable for us to delay
treatment to complete more paperwork? How many more obstacles will
be put in front of us before someone dies because of this non
evidence based mandate? You do not have to sit by passively and let
the higher powers determine your practice! Now is the time to speak
up and let your voice be heard. It is disappointing that the Joint
Commission is disregarding the expert’s opinions. ENA plans to
continue to work on your behalf on this issue. Take action and join
the ENA fight!
In the past, nurses have not been an
active force in the legislative process. Now more than ever it is
clear that we have to stand up for ourselves and for our patients.
It has been said that our careers are regarded as noble and
respectful. It has always been about the patients for us. We put
them in front of our own needs on many occasions and advocate for
them consistently. It is for them that we need to step up our
actions in the state and federal legislative process.
It is a known fact that lobbyist groups in DC and Annapolis
effectively coerce decisions affecting how tax dollars are spent. It
is time for us to make the legislators aware that the nursing
shortage remains and worsens. The congressmen and women need to hear
our stories and know our struggles. The issues of overcrowding in
the ED with backlogs in the waiting room and dangerously unmet needs
of patients is escalating. This not only increases stress in the
work environment but it increases violence against nurses.
ED nurse continue to adapt to the working conditions to serve the
greater need, but Congress needs to shift their focus back the
health care system. Please send an email to our representatives and
tell them what is going on your hospital. ENA has a wonderful
legislative center on their website that will connect you to your
representative. Be heard!
http://capwiz.com/ena/home/
Elections are on the mind of Maryland
and National ENA as the call for candidates for our Maryland ENA
elections is posted and the ENA National elections have begun.
Please make sure you vote! Who you vote for, determines the shape of
our association. Your vote is power in determining how we grow as an
association.
There is still time to submit your
delegate point sheets for consideration to attend our national ENA
General Assembly as a Md State ENA Delegate on September 26 and 27.
This year's 2007 ENA Annual Conference
"Lift Your Spirit" will be held in Salt Lake City, UT and
immediately follows the General Assembly. It is always a great
conference with wonderful educational opportunities. See you in Salt
Lake City, UT!
Sincerely yours,
Tamra White
President
Maryland Emergency Nurses Association
Past Messages:
March
2002
July
2002
September
2002
November
2002
December
2002
February
2003
September
2003
January
2004
April
2004
June
2004
November
2004
January
2005
March
2005
April
2005
May
2005
July
2005
March
2006
September/October
2006
February 2007
April / May 2007