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Health Care News
Strategies to Combat Deadly Infections
November 28, 2007
 A recent report increased concern about the dangers of, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, nearly 19,000 people died in the U.S. in 2005 after being infected with this virulent drug-resistant bacteria that have spread through hospitals and nursing homes. If correct, those numbers would exceed those attributed to H.I.V.-AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, emphysema or homicide each year.
The study also concluded that 85% of invasive MRSA infections are associated with health care treatment.
The most basic way to reduce hospital infection, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is for doctors and other health care workers to clean their hands in between treating patients. Research indicates that doctors clean their hands before treating a patient only 48% of the time, and this rate is significantly worse at some hospitals.
The Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths cites a study of Broomfield Hospital in England. It reduced infections in its orthopedic unit by two-thirds and totally eradicated MRSA infections in one year. “It enforced methodical hand cleaning, rigorous adherence to hygiene, putting doctors in freshly laundered coats whenever they approached patients' bedsides, barring caregivers from wearing jewelry, restricting the movement of wheelchairs and other equipment, and other steps all designed to reduce the transmission of bacteria from infected patients to inanimate objects and then to other patients,� said the committee on its website, www.hospitalinfection.org.
A more expensive approach to reducing infections is actual testing of patients and residents upon admission.
An August, 2007 article in Clinical Laboratory News cites two facilities as success stories. Both used comprehensive, active surveillance strategies that involve screening incoming patients. The hospitals in the Evanston (Ill.) Northwestern Healthcare (ENH) system “reduction of MRSA rates is widely touted as an example for other hospitals to follow, and for good reason,� Clinical Laboratory News reported. “The ENH program drove a marked decrease in infections after the institution began universal testing by molecular methods in August 2005.�
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology suggests active surveillance, versus the passive screening most hospitals perform. In passive screening, hospitals test patients with obvious signs of infection like a purulent wound. Active surveillance strategies generally involve screening patients entering areas of the hospital known to have higher rates of MRSA infections—such as the intensive care unit.
Active surveillance programs can also target patients known to be carriers upon admission, such as those who have had recent hospitalizations, come from another healthcare setting such as a nursing home, and those who are on dialysis, in prison, or attend daycare.
The key issue is how much can a facility afford for testing of potential carriers.
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Gardasil Vaccinations Covered
September 5, 2007
Local One’s Health Care Plan now covers Gardasil vaccinations for eligible participants and dependent daughters.
The Gardasil vaccine was developed to prevent various conditions caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), including cervical cancer, precancerous genital lesions, and genital warts. Generally, the vaccine should be administered in three doses, with the second dose administered two months after the first, and the third dose administered six months after the first. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, an advisory committee to the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, recommends that the vaccine be administered early, for example to females aged 11 – 12. It is even safe for females as young as age 9.
Catch-up vaccinations are recommended for females aged 13 - 26 who have not received the vaccine (or did not complete the full series). Please note that the vaccine only protects against certain strains of HPV, but that includes the ones that cause 70% of cervical cancers. As the vaccine does not protect against all strains of HPV, regular cervical pap smears, and other routine health care are still needed.
The HPV vaccine should not be confused with HPV testing, which is used to determine if women with abnormal pap smears test positive for certain strains of HPV
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Safe Patient Handling
September 1, 2006
The Veterans Health Administration has conducted innovative research on back injury prevention. This nurse-run research program, “Safe Patient Handling and Movement,� focuses on the most dangerous tasks and includes patient safety as a major consideration.
These programs have led to a 60-95% reduction of injuries at various VHA hospitals. Many other hospitals have successfully implemented similar programs that also saved money. The use of technol¬ogy, especially lifting devices, is critical to the success of these programs. The following steps can help you institute a safe patient handling and movement pro¬gram in your facility.
1. Create an ergonomics committee that includes management, the union, purchasing, and risk management. Establish, implement, and monitor a comprehen¬sive program.
2. Analyze the data, conduct a walk-through and survey employees.
3. Assess patient dependency levels. Match patients to equipment by assessing their abil¬ity to provide assistance and bear weight, their upper extremity strength, their height and weight, as well as special circumstances, and specific orders.
4. Assess high-risk patient handling tasks. Based on your collected information determine which tasks are “backbreaking� on each unit.
5. Determine the safest possible approaches to high-risk tasks. These approaches should use technology and input from frontline health care workers who perform high-risk tasks.
6. Research, pilot, select, and implement lifting devices. When testing devices, including mechanical lifts, lateral transfer aids, gait belts, and transfer chairs, seek input from workers and patients.
7. Provide comprehensive and interactive train¬ing for staff.
8. Track patient and worker injuries and evaluate the program. Continue to routinely ana¬lyze the data and update program with latest technology.
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Funds Introduce Nurse Help Line
June 15, 2006
The Local One Health Care Fund is introducing a Nurse Help Line. This service will provide fund participants and their families with a free and easy way to get answers to health care questions without leaving home.
It is available 24 hours a day and staffed with registered nurses. Just dial 1-877-488-8656 and a registered nurse will assist you with any of your health care concerns.
Additionally, if you want information about a certain health topic mailed to your home, it will be prepared and delivered at no charge to you..
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is Nurse Help Line?
A. The Nurse Help Line is the smart, quick way to get answers to questions about your health. You can call the Nurse Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including all holidays and weekends, at no cost to you.
Q. When should I call?
A. Making decisions about your health can be confusing. Please call when:
• You need help in deciding if you should go to the Emergency Room
• You want to know more about a medical test you’re going to take
• You have a question about a health condition you have
• You have a question that you don’t want to bother your doctor with
In short, if you have a health concern that’s troubling you, no matter how silly you may think it seems, you should call the Nurse Help Line.
Q. What happens when I call?
A. Trained Nurses are on hand and will answer your call. The nurse will first ask for your name and address. The nurse will then listen to your question and give you the information you need.
Q. What if I have an urgent problem or emergency?
A. In an emergency, call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room. If you do not have an emergency, but your situation is urgent (meaning you need care within 24 hours, but not right away) please call your doctor’s office. If your doctor’s office is closed, please call the Nurse Help Line. A nurse can give you advice about what to do.
Q. What if I am not sure if I should go to the Emergency Room or wait to see my doctor?
A. Please call the Nurse Help Line. A nurse can help you decide what type of care is needed.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to call our representatives in our UFCW local one claims service unit at 1-800-959-9497.
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Wages Up 12% Over 3 Years at Robinson Terrace
March 14, 2006
The 69 Local One members at Robinson Terrace in Stamford, NY have a new three-year agreement that will increase their wages by 12% by the third year. In each year, the hourly rate goes up 4%.
Employer health care contributions are increased. Call-in language was enhanced and the number of days increased.
Members who helped negotiate the agreement were Laura Schultz, Muriel Morgan and Tessa Oakly.
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