HUDDLE

Happy Monday, Readers!

The opioid crisis in the US has hit what some experts are calling “the fourth wave” as overdose deaths have hit record highs. What’s behind this most recent uptick? Read the Morning Brief to find out more. 

Today's Top Beats

🪧 Largest Strike Looms
💊 Opioid Deaths Soar

🖥️ Remote Productivity

HANDOFF

Largest Healthcare Strike Looms

Some 64,000 Kaiser Health Permanente staff — nurses, support staff, and other healthcare workers who are part of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West unions — have authorized a strike. Their current contracts will end in October. The strike authorization may have had a ripple effect, as 85,000 Kaiser workers in seven other states are demanding new contracts, which would make it the largest US healthcare worker strike. The Coalition for Kaiser Permanente Unions says Kaiser executives have refused to engage with front-line workers.

Another Nurse in the News

Former Wisconsin nurse Dawn Drum has just been sentenced to 15 months in prison and one year of supervised release and fined $30,000. Her transgression: tampering with fentanyl vials at St. Mary’s Hospital by withdrawing the drug from the vials, replacing it with saline, and releasing the vials with super glue. Worse yet, she put the vials back into the Pyxis machine. But she expressed remorse and said her actions were driven by opioid addiction. The judge was compassionate but ultimately sentenced Drum for putting patients at risk.

The Fourth Wave

The good news: shipments of opioid painkillers fell 45% from 2011–2019. The bad news: fatal overdoses rose to record levels thanks to heroin and (illegal) fentanyl. Researchers say the overprescription of opioids caused people to become dependent on the drugs, and when healthcare providers shifted their tune to opioids, patients started using heroin and fentanyl. A new study found that fentanyl mixed with stimulants — cocaine and meth — is driving this “4th wave” of the overdose crisis.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

54%

The approximate percentage of Americans are either very or somewhat interested in getting an updated Covid-19 vaccine. To that end, HHS launched a new program to ensure uninsured or underinsured adults receive it. 

PRN

THAT REMOTE LIFE WITH NURSE FERN

Productivity and Metrics in Remote Nursing Jobs

Remote nursing jobs differ from bedside nursing, but they still have their unique hustle and bustle. In a remote environment, the most surefire way to judge your performance is by tracking your productivity. 

Productivity is tracked in several ways, including:

• Phone calls made

• Charts reviewed

• Cases completed

When starting a remote job with a production component, here are some tips:

• During the interview process, ask what metrics are expected of team members and what plans are in place to help you find success.

• Be patient with yourself as you learn a new skill.

• Ask team members who are doing well for tips, hints, and resources on meeting their benchmarks. 

• Have a plan for how you plan to ramp up your goals gradually and sustainably.

What do you think about productivity and metrics in the nursing profession? Read the full blog here.

TODAY IN THE CHART

SUPPLY ROOM

Throw It in the Bag

We know you’ll love this nurse work tote designed by the Purpose People community for all your work essentials.

BREAK ROOM

Thanks, Tremendous Techs!

National Surgical Technologist Week is celebrated on September 17 to 23 to recognize our surgical technologists. If you are interested in the profession, watch this series of videos to learn more.

THE BREAK ROOM

The Beat With Nurse Kel

🎶 The Tempo

🎵 The Backbeat

🏋️ The Workout

🎧 Podcast of the Week

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

Follow up tomorrow for more amazing healthcare tech finds from Nurse Manny!

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