3.5 minute read

HUDDLE

Good Morning, Readers,

This week, the FTC voted to ban the use of noncompetes in the workplace. How does this affect nurses? Rebecca Love, a nurse advocate, posted about this issue. Check it out here and get involved in the conversation.

Today's Top Beats

💧 Out of Water
💉 Botulinum Blunders

🩺 ICU Staffing Standards

HANDOFF

Out of Water

A few weeks ago, we told you how a federal appeals court halted the EPA’s attempts to regulate per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), found in many household products and commonly called “forever chemicals.” Now, the EPA has laid out different regulations to reduce our exposure to these harmful chemicals. It set the first-ever limits on these chemicals’ presence in drinking water by designating two as hazardous substances. But can these regulations withstand the inevitable controversy?

Botulinum Blunders

Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, is widely used to subtract years from the face, from smoothing out crow’s feet and forehead furrows to lifting the corners of the mouth. Though it’s usually safe, using a counterfeit (or mishandled) version has caused serious reactions in 22 people from 11 states, according to the CDC. Though no one has died, just over half the patients have been hospitalized — and all of them received injections from an unlicensed or untrained person.

Maine Rejects Ratios

Despite passing the Maine Senate last month, a state bill to limit the nurses’ patients in their daily assignments didn’t make it past the full Maine legislature. The bill would have established mandatory minimum RN staffing ratios, required hospitals to post notices on minimum ratios and maintain staffing records, and protected nurse whistleblowers regarding unsafe assignments. The bill was strongly supported by nurses’ groups but opposed by the Maine Hospital Association. Supporters say they haven’t given up.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

2.2 Million

The number of US RNs who borrowed money to finance their nursing education. Can you guess how many are still trying to pay it off? 

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YOUR NEW THING STRATEGY WITH NEW THING NURSE

Adult ICU Staffing Standards

The American Association of Critical-care Nurses (AACN) released the “Standards for Appropriate Staffing in Adult Critical Care” a first-of-its-kind document including seven standards to address barriers to appropriate registered nurse staffing. Each staffing standard offers actions, examples, and resources to implement, evaluate, and enhance nurse staffing. 

My personal favorite is Standard 7: 

“Standard 7: Organizational staffing plans anticipate that critically ill or injured patients generally require a ratio of 1 nurse to 2 patients.”

The staffing standards continue the work started by the Nurse Staffing Think Tank and the Nurse Staffing Task Force, two national groups that sought solutions to the national nurse staffing crisis. 

Consider reviewing the “Standards for Appropriate Staffing in Adult Critical Care” plus the recommendations and imperatives from the Nurse Staffing Think Tank and the Nurse Staffing Task Force and how they could help your organization overcome nurse staffing challenges

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SUPPLY ROOM

Succ it Up

Plant parents will love these succulent pots that you can customize with the name and medical symbol of your choice!

BREAK ROOM

Cancer Warriors

Facing cancer and the treatment process can be very taxing for many oncology patients and their families. However, many patients have better outcomes with the proper support system. Watch how this family faces the challenges with love and laughter together!

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