HUDDLE
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Happy Friday, Readers! |
I hope the first full week of the new year was kind to you. I know a good portion of the country is bracing for a winter storm and I want to say a big thank you to those of you who are scheduled to work.
May your journey to and from work be safe, your shift smooth, and your coffee hot. ❄️
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Today's Top Beats |
😞 Ketamine for Depression
🤳 Socials and Dementia
💰 Medical Debt Wiped
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HANDOFF |
How Ketamine Treats Depression |
A single dose of ketamine can relieve severe depression for weeks by altering brain circuits linked to resilience. Research in zebrafish and mice shows that ketamine temporarily boosts the
activity of astrocytes (brain cells involved in switching between active and passive behavior); afterward, these cells stabilize, helping the brain persevere under stress. Understanding how ketamine impacts astrocytes could lead to more effective depression treatments without ketamine’s mind-altering side effects.
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Social Media May Make People With Dementia Feel More Isolated |
While many Americans report feeling more connected in the age of social media, older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia find it difficult to keep up with ever-shifting social media platforms, often cutting them off from important social connections. This isolation can accelerate cognitive decline, creating a cycle of social withdrawal. Experts suggest AI and voice assistants could help aging users maintain digital access, a growing need as we become more reliant on digital technology.
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Medical Debt Wiped from Credit Reports |
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued new rules banning medical debt from credit reports and prohibiting lenders from using medical information to assess borrowers. The new rules, originally proposed in June 2024, could boost credit scores by an average 20 points, helping some 100 million Americans burdened by medical debt. Some states have already enacted similar standards, but this move establishes a national standard.
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TOGETHER WITH JOHNSON & JOHNSON
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Preparing to Apply for the 2025 NurseHack4Health™ Pitch-A-Thon |
If the 2024 NurseHack4Health Pitch-A-Thon had your innovative gears turning, you’re not alone! It’s hard not to be inspired by the nurse-led teams bringing groundbreaking solutions to healthcare.
If you’re ready to prepare to apply for the 2025 Pitch-A-Thon, here are two things you can do to get started:
Learn more about the Pitch-A-Thon. Research the Pitch-A-Thon, read articles and blog posts, or reach out to prior participants on LinkedIn to get their perspectives on participating. You can also view recordings of previous Pitch-A-Thons on NurseHack4Health’s YouTube channel.
Enroll in the Innovation Academy. This three-part course provides you with the knowledge necessary to understand design thinking, craft a compelling pitch, and more. It’s an invaluable way to prepare yourself to participate in the Pitch-A-Thon! Participants who successfully complete the NurseHack4Health Innovation
Academy will receive two contact hours.
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL
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15 Million |
The number of people in the US who have at least one of 105 autoimmune diseases. Click here to learn which conditions are most common, how autoimmune diseases affect the sexes differently, and more.
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PRN
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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH NURSE KEL |
Today’s Trivia Topics |
Are you ready for another round of Today’s Trivia Topics? This month, our trivia will focus on the thyroid gland in honor of Thyroid Awareness Month! To find the answers to the questions, click on the emojis at the start of each question.
🦋 The thyroid relies on what trace element to be able to form T3 and T4?
🦋 What blood test is used to diagnose thyroid dysfunction?
🦋 True or false: Men are more likely to have thyroid problems.
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Kelly McClure, MLS, BSN, RN, is a nursing school instructor for LPNs and
RNs at Ehove Career Center in northeast Ohio. She is also TNB’s resident trivia guru.
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Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here.
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Amplifying Nurse-Led Innovation |
The Nursing Beat wants to hear your thoughts on nurse-led innovation. Take the survey for a chance to win one of four $50 American Express gift cards.
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BREAK ROOM |
Intrusive Thoughts |
Have you ever had an intrusive thought at work? If you need a laugh, watch what other nurses are thinking while on shift.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
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Have you ever wondered how technology could improve the lives of patients who have type 2 diabetes? Check out this free CE opportunity, Patient Journeys in CGM, and earn 0.5 contact hours! 📚
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