General
and Scientific Assembly in New Orleans 2002
November
2002
My
wish is that all emergency departments could close and send their
nurses to the Annual ENA meeting each year. If you have attended in
the past, you know the "rush" of academia, skills practice
and networking that takes place. For those of you who have never
attended, you must treat yourself to the experience at least once in
your career.
It is thrilling to know that our Emergency Nursing leaders are
working continually on projects that improve our practice. Work groups
and committees tackle issues that we have on a daily basis. They
research and propose solutions and we benefit from their work. The
examples are too numerous to mention but
-
five level triage categories (see JEN October 2002 pg. 395 for
detailed information) and
-
staffing formulas for Emergency Departments based on acuity and length
of stay plugged into an Excel program that produces total number of
FTEs needed are
a few of the best. (This is available for sale with CD Rom at $100-
member price- by October 2002 through ENA.)
are
a few of the most noteworthy.
The lectures, videos, computer programs, articles, research
poster summaries, product reviews are outstanding in content and
adaptability to our practice. There is no way that you can leave
without a bolus of new information that improves your individual
knowledge base and career practice. The subjects are too numerous to
discuss but a few that I found exciting were:
-
High Risk Populations in Trauma- Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics
-
Capnography- non-invasive critical care monitoring reflects cardiac
output and ventilation/perfusion ratios.
-
Head Injury- specific brain injury locations and the symptoms produced
-
Staffing Guidelines- nurse/patient ratios that are accurate for
emergency departments taking into account patient volume, patient
acuity, patient length
of stay, direct and indirect patient care nursing time, non-productive
nursing time
-
New Tetanus Immunization Guidelines
-
Treatment of Type II Diabetes- testing is more appropriate for this
category using 2 hour postprandial rather than fasting blood sugar.
The products were also too numerous to mention but a few
highlights were:
-
Bose (yes the acoustics experts) has created a stethoscope that is
sensitive to the most minute sound. The diaphragm is a thin
rubber-like material and is MSRA resistant for 2 weeks of use after
which it is replaced. The cost was $180 with a six month supply of
diaphragms. A "must see and hear" device.
-
Activated charcoal in crystals that once water is added to
reconstitute, it has the viscosity of WATER. No more clumping or mess-
almost too good to be true.
And as if this was not enough, the parties at night were not to
be believed. Clearly, New Orleans is a party town that exudes a
friendly and fun attitude. The food and music created an invigorating
atmosphere of frenzy and excitement. Truly the entire experience was
just what an emergency nurse needs to professionally and personally
rejuvenate himself/herself for the year!
Pamela S. Fox, RN, BSN, CEN
President Maryland State Emergency Nurses
Association