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Good Morning, Readers! |
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If you missed last year’s NurseHack4Health™ Pitch-A-Thon, you’re in luck! We’ve created an article compiling all of the finalists, including overviews of their amazing ideas. We hope it inspires you to apply for the 2025 Pitch-A-Thon!
Check it out in Today in the Chart below! ⬇️ |
Today's Top Beats |
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🏃♀️ Fitness & Longevity
🏥 CPR Coaching
📈 Orphan Numbers Increasing |
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HANDOFF |
Fitness Helps You Live Longer |
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What helps you live longer: aerobic fitness or slenderness? The answer is being fit, according to a recent study that analyzed data from nearly 400,000 middle-aged and older adults in 20 studies. People with obesity who weren’t fit were three times more likely to die prematurely than fit folks with a BMI within the recommended range. But those with a “healthy” BMI and poor cardiorespiratory fitness were twice as likely to die prematurely than fit people with obesity. |
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New York Nurses Understaffed |
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New York nurses are not in a good place, according to findings from a new report from the New York State Nurses Association. The NYSNA conducted staffing surveys at over 60 facilities across the state and found hospitals to be “understaffed and overwhelmed,” likely contributing to the nursing shortage in a vicious cycle. In 2024, hospitals failed to staff ICUs and critical care patients at the state-mandated ratio over half the time. Read more of the findings here. |
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The Importance of CPR Coaches |
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Training pediatric critical care NPs to be CPR coaches significantly increased the presence of a CPR coach on code teams responding to cardiopulmonary arrests in the PICU, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Critical Care. After the intervention, CPR coaches on code teams doubled. The QI initiative also replaced standard defibrillator devices to ones placed prior to compressions that provide feedback on the quality of the chest compressions. |
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TODAY'S TOP VITAL |
2,910,000 |
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The increase in orphans in the U.S. from 2000 through 2021—a 50% surge since 2000—due largely to drug overdose and COVID deaths. Check out the demographic groups and states with the greatest increase in children whose parents have died. |
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PRN |
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TECH TUESDAY WITH NURSE MANNY |
Elixir: A Non-Invasive Health Monitor |
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CES 2025 delivered a treasure trove of health tech. One standout was Elixir, a non-invasive health monitor from Biopop International. Imagine skipping the daily dance of calibrating glucose monitors or deciphering expiration dates on strips and liquids—Elixir’s promising tech might make that a thing of the past.
Using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR)—a cousin of the pulse oximeter—Elixir analyzes blood through the skin, skipping needles entirely. While its glucose readings don’t yet match traditional monitors, it offers a glimpse into a future of painless, real-time blood monitoring. Imagine managing glucose and more without finger pricks—just data at your fingertips.
While the concept is exciting, cautious optimism is wise. History reminds us that bold claims sometimes face challenges in practice. If Elixir delivers on its vision, it could ease our workload and genuinely improve patient lives. Here’s hoping it lives up to the promise.
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Nurse Manny is passionate about leveraging health tech for better patient care. Want him to review your tech? Email him! |
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Did you miss our last newsletter? Click here. |
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SUPPLY ROOM |
I'm Hooked |
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Looking to pick up a new hobby in the new year? How about crochet? These kits are adorable and made for beginners. |
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS |
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Share your unique link below 👇 via text, email, or snail mail and share it with your besties! The more friends you refer, the more swag you earn! |
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