3.5 minute read

HUDDLE

Happy FriYAY, Readers!

Last week, I asked for your favorite work shoes—and ya’ll delivered! Here were the top 5 most popular recs:

• Brooks

• Danskos

• Clove

• Reebok

• New Balance

Today's Top Beats

💔 ER Nurse Drowns
🏥 Hawai’i Nurse Contracts

💉 IV Shortage Woes

HANDOFF

Nurse Drowns While Trying to Save Lives

Boone McCrary, an ER nurse, tragically drowned while trying to rescue a man stranded on his fishing boat by Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters in Tennessee. Accompanied by his girlfriend and dog, McCrary’s boat capsized after debris jammed the motor. His girlfriend survived by holding on to a branch until rescuers arrived hours later, but McCrary (and his dog) did not—his body was found days later during a large search effort. McCrary, one of many who died in Helene’s aftermath, is remembered for his adventurous spirit and selflessness.

Hawaiʻi Nurses’ Contract Win

We mentioned previously how 600 nurses with the Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children were locked out of work for holding a one-day strike. The nurses have returned to work after ratifying a new 3-year contract (and weathering a 22-day lockout and arrests). The agreement includes 3.5% annual raises, longevity pay, a flexible staffing matrix aligned with national guidelines, a staffing council to address ongoing concerns, and a commitment to innovative scheduling tools and continued nurse recruitment and retention efforts.

AHA Presses White House on IV Solution Shortage

The AHA has urged President Biden to address critical IV solution shortages following the closure of Baxter’s North Carolina plant—which supplies 60% of the nation’s IV solutions—due to Hurricane Helene. They’re requesting immediate actions, such as declaring a shortage and securing international supplies, and asking for measures to prevent price gouging and improve communication during the crisis. In the meantime, check out the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ guidance on managing fluid shortages.

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

22%

The percentage of LGBTQ+ women who have attempted suicide. Click here to learn about how many have sought trauma-related treatment, the staggeringly high rates of depression in this group versus the general population, necessary healthcare changes, and more.

PRN

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH NURSE KEL

Today’s Trivia Topics

It’s time for another round of Today’s Trivia Topics! Instead of the usual medical-related trivia this October, I’m going to take you on a trip around the U.S. to some of the scariest haunted hospitals! You get three clues to guess the hospital and where it’s located. 

👻 This hospital is well known to those in the Bluegrass State as it once housed a plethora of patients who were suffering from tuberculosis. 

👻 Because of how many patients died, a “body chute” was installed where the deceased would be taken from the hospital to keep them out of sight of those who were still living.

👻 There are reports of ghostly apparitions of children and a nurse that still roam the halls, especially on the fifth floor. 

Think you know where this hospital is? Click here if you dare!

Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here.

BULLETIN BOARD

TODAY IN THE CHART

SUPPLY ROOM

Put a Cap on It 

This cute scrub cap is a great way to show some Halloween spirit!

BREAK ROOM

Protein Salad

If you are looking for an easy, high protein salad, check out Jennifer Aniston’s salad recipe. She reportedly ate this every day on the set of Friends!

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

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