HUDDLE
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Happy Fri-YAY, Readers! |
Tomorrow is National IV Nurse Day! A big shoutout to all the infusion and vascular access nurses out there; not only is your work incredibly valuable, but you help make a painful procedure a million times better with your expertise.Β
I know when I worked bedside in pediatrics, our IV team saved my shift SO many times! Thank you for all you do!
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Today's Top Beats |
🥶 Health Communications Frozen 🏥 Hospital Wait Times
🤔 Redefining Obesity
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HANDOFF |
Federal Health Agency Communications Frozen |
Donβt expect any public health updates from the US government for at least the rest of the month. The new Trump administration has ordered federal health agencies, including the FDA, CDC, and NIH, to pause communication on everything from regulation and guidance memos to press releases and social media messages, with some exceptions. Similar measures occurred during
Trumpβs first term to align agency messaging with the administrationβs priorities, though appointees also attempted to gain editorial control over the CDCβs technical MMWR publications.
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Maryland Seeks Better Hospital Wait Times |
Last year, the Maryland Hospital Association found its state to be the one with the worst hospital wait times in the country, as of 2021. The prime culprits behind the ranking are capacity issues, a statewide behavioral health crisis, workforce shortages, healthcare access issues, and a dense population. To reduce wait times, Maryland is establishing the Maryland Emergency
Department Wait Time Reduction Commission, which plans to fix facility maintenance issues, improve staff retention, and better equip hospitals to care for chronic conditions and aging populations.
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Redefining Obesity? |
A global group of experts has proposed redefining obesity as a disease only when excess body fat harms health or daily functioning. They also suggest introducing the diagnosis βpreclinical obesity,β which is when surplus fat raises health risks but hasnβt caused damage. BMI as a sole diagnostic tool is also an issue, they noted, suggesting alternatives like waist measurements or body composition scans combined with signs of health complications.
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL
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25% |
The percentage of Americans with devices that monitor heart healthβlike smart watches and blood pressure machinesβwho share their data with their providers. Click here to learn how many Americans use such devices, which types of devices are the most popular, and more.
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PRN
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TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH NURSE KEL |
Todayβs Trivia Topics |
Itβs time for another round of Todayβs Trivia Topics! Our trivia today will continue to 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.
🦋 How many millions (yes, millions) of Americans have some sort of thyroid disease?
🦋 True or false: The generic medication form of T3 is levothyroxine and the generic medication form of T4 is liothyronine.
🦋 Which type of thyroid cancer is the form most commonly diagnosed, has a slow growth and spread rate, but generally has a very good prognosis?
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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 TNBβs resident trivia guru.
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Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here.
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SUPPLY ROOM |
Treat Your Feet |
Show your feet some love after a long shift with these PediPops!
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BREAK ROOM |
Viral Chicken Pasta Bake |
Looking to make your meal prep days that much easier? Check out this creamy pesto chicken bake that will make your week!
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
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Whatβs better than spending Galentineβs Day with your fellow nurses, either virtually or in-person? How about also earning the chance to win a cruise?! 😍 Learn more on TNBβs Instagram!
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