HUDDLE

Good Morning, Readers, 

This week, Pope Francis passed away (may he rest in peace 🕊️). In his final moments, his last words were directed to someone who had been by his side through it all—his nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti. Take a moment to see what he said to him.

Today's Top Beats

📺 Confession from The Pitt
🎥 Elder Abuse Caught on Camera

🌋 Climate Action for Nurses

HANDOFF

Confession from The Pitt Star’s Mom

The TV show The Pitt has continued to open up all kinds of conversations, from neurodiversity to fatphobia/weight bias in medicine to racially biased treatment in sickle cell care and more. But one of the biggest issues the show confronts—PTSD among healthcare providers—especially hit home for the show’s star. Noah Wyle's mother, an orthopedic and OR nurse, told him about her PTSD reaction to one episode. Which moment or storyline has hit home hardest for you? Tell us here.

Elder Abuse Caught on Camera 

Minnesotan Jean Peters didn’t want to be right about how she suspected her mother was treated in her eldercare home. But a hidden camera revealed that the abuse and neglect she worried about was actually happening. Peters now leads Elder Voice Advocates, which successfully lobbied for a state law allowing cameras in nursing home residents’ rooms. At least 8 states have since followed suit. Read how the debate over cameras in nursing homes is playing out across the country.

The Extra Germy Stuff Around You

Do you know how often you should replace your toothbrush? (Here’s the answer.) Did you know your water bottle probably has up to 40,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat?! Even the biggest clean freaks may not be aware of which items in their house harbor the most germs. Check out this list of the top five things in your home that you probably aren’t cleaning regularly—even though you definitely should.

TOGETHER WITH B. BRAUN

Safer Alternatives to DEHP

Patient safety is a top priority for nurses. A recent survey by The Nursing Beat found that 98.5% of healthcare professionals would prefer to use IV bags free of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a known toxicant and carcinogen. Additionally, 77% of those surveyed supported legislation banning the use of IV bags containing DEHP, which was recently passed in California.

Nurses need to know that IV bags without DEHP are readily available and it’s time to speak up and take action for our patients. B. Braun is dedicated to providing safer alternatives to DEHP-containing products in the healthcare setting as the only supplier offering a full line of IV drugs, IV and nutrition solutions, and irrigation containers plus a robust line of IV sets and connectors not made with DEHP or PVC. 

TODAY'S TOP VITAL

19

The number of US Health and Human Services database systems whose sensitive data DOGE has accessed. Check out the list here.

NURSE ON-CALL

CARING COLLECTIVELY WITH TOGATHER

From Earth Day to Everyday: Climate Action for Nurses

Earth Day is over, but you can still be a force for climate justice.

Climate change is already harming our patients: asthma from wildfire smoke, dehydration from extreme heat, trauma after floods. And frontline communities—Indigenous, Black, Brown, rural, undocumented—get hit hardest.

One in three US adults has already been affected by extreme weather in just the past two years, with low-income communities facing the greatest health risks.

Nurses are uniquely equipped to lead here. We already know how to respond to a crisis with care.

• Chart it: When environmental conditions are affecting care, document it. Patterns in the chart can inform future planning and advocacy.

• Push for Change: Advocate for emergency prep and sustainability in your workplace. Start here.

• Spark a Talk: Bring up climate health in a team huddle, lunch, or shift change.

🌎 Ready to turn care into climate action? Get the free toolkit and join the movement.

Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here.

TODAY IN THE CHART

SUPPLY ROOM

Safe With Me 

Let your patients know they’re in safe hands with this pin.

BREAK ROOM

White Lotus Madness

Everyone has been buzzing about season 3 of White Lotus and all the plot twists. You would not believe how lorazepam got into the mix. Check out this clip if you need a laugh!

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

What’s a phrase or situation only other nurses would know? Find out what other nurses are saying, and tell us yours here.

YOUR BEAT. YOUR VOICE. OUR FUTURE.