Healthcare Traveler back issues from January 2009:
A toast to a better 2009
Jan 01, 2009; ... It's that time of year again. For many Americans, however, thoughts of typical New Year's resolutions - like eating a healthy diet, sticking to an exercise regimen, or keeping in better touch with family and friends - have taken a back seat to simple survival tactics. While gas prices have ...
Are nurses a cost or an investment?
Jan 01, 2009; ... A new survey of hospital chief nursing officers points to the growing financial impact of nurses Historically, many hospitals have viewed nurses as a cost, since it was commonly perceived that these professionals do not contribute to the bottom line. That perception may be changing, ...
Frosty paws
Jan 01, 2009; ... When considering an assignment in a vacation destination, who says that you need to head to the beach? Let it snow. The ski resort areas in this country are spectacular even for a person who only enjoys the indoor activities. For those outdoor enthusiasts, opportunities abound. These ...
Ask Kim
Jan 01, 2009; ... I'm about to start my career as a travel nurse .1 have three cats that hate their carriers and become little fluffy balls of gnashing teeth and razor nails when any attempt is made to put them inside. My only option is to take them by car. What is the best way to get cats in a carrier? Do I need ...
Being there
Jan 01, 2009; ... It's never too late to set out on a traveling adventure, especially when your best friend comes along with you. I've been practicing as a med/surg and orthopedics nurse for 17 years, and for the past 3 years, my husband, Tom, and I have been on the road. We live in a fifth-wheel trailer, and I ...
Joint Commission releases 2009 National Patient Safety Goals
Jan 01, 2009; ... The Joint Commission recently released its 2009 National Patient Safety Goals, which set practice standards for more than 15,000 accredited healthcare organizations. New goals include standards for eliminating transfusion errors and three new requirements for preventing healthcare-associated ...
Gear & Gadgets
Jan 01, 2009; ... CLEVER TOOLS THAT SIMPLIFY THE TRAVEL LIFESTYLE * ROXIO For $79.99, Roxio Toast 9 Titanium streams video, like Wo shows, from your home MAC to iPhone, iPod Touch, or any Internet-connected PC or MAC. Bum your favorite shows to CD, DVD, and Blu-ray discs. Rus, you can create slide ...
Legislative Corner
Jan 01, 2009; ... California passes end-of-life legislation The first of its kind in the nation, the Terminal Patients' Right to Know End-of-Life Options Ad (AB 2747) provides terminally ill patients with full disclosure about all available endof-life care options, including hospice care, ...
Did You Know. . .
Jan 01, 2009; ... The 10 Healthiest Airports in the U.S. are: 1. Phoenix Sky Harbor International 2. Baltimore/Washington International 3. O'Hare International 4. Detroit Metropolitan 5. Denver International 6. Washington National 7. Dallas/Fort Worth ...
Money management
Jan 01, 2009; ... * Contributing to a spousal IRA I am covered by a retirement plan at work, but my husband is not. What is the maximum deductible contribution we can make for him to a traditional IRA for 2008? A: If your joint adjusted gross income (AGI) is $159,000 or less and you file a joint ...
Dream Destinations
Jan 01, 2009; ... Healthcare travelers experience the best of both worlds by turning assignments into working vacations. Did you ever play the "Where Should I Go?" game as a child? You know, open an atlas or spin a globe, and with your eyes closed, place your finger anywhere on the map. Wherever your ...
Nursing from the heart Volunteering in Mongolia
Jan 01, 2009; ... How healthcare travel gave me the flexibility to follow my dream-participating in medical missions overseas. It's always been my passion to provide care to the underserved in Third World countries. But, as a staff nurse specializing in pediatric intensive care, I didn't have enough ...
OTC Talk
Jan 01, 2009; ... Three generations of antihistamines Histamine is a chemical mediator produced by the body in response to allergens. Histamine-1 (H-1) receptors, found throughout the body, cause responses such as increased vascular permeability, like stuffy nose and watery eyes; pruritus and skin ...
New option for vascular disease, diabetes
Jan 01, 2009; ... A recent study indicates that angiotensin-receptor blocker telmisartan (Micardis) should be considered as a treatment option for vascular disease or highrisk diabetes in patients who cannot tolerate angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The findings have the potential to affect 20% of ...
New York bans mandatory nurse overtime
Jan 01, 2009; ... New York recently became the 15th state to ban most mandatory overtime for nurses in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Governor David Paterson signed the bill into law in August, and it will take effect July 1, 2009. Under the law, hospitals are prohibited from requiring nurses ...
Johns Hopkins team issues disaster drill evaluation tool
Jan 01, 2009; ... A recent report from the Johns Hopkins University Evidence-Based Practice Center, written for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, provides guidelines for evaluating hospitals' disaster planning drills. The 55-page document, titled "Tool for ...
Rule protecting anti-abortion healthcare workers sparks controversy
Jan 01, 2009; ... Attorneys general from 13 states are fighting a Bush Administration pro- posal that would give stronger job protection to nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers who refuse to participate in abortions, according to an Associated Press report. When introducing the proposal, which would ...
Piercing ears to test glucose
Jan 01, 2009; ... Have you ever thought you'd never get another drop of blood out of a finger for glucose testing? Instead of using cold and callused fingertips, earlobe sampling is an option. Samples from the earlobes and fingertips were compared in 50 partici- pants at a 480-bed community hospital, and the mean ...
Getting the pulse on peds
Jan 01, 2009; ... Children's fingers and toes are often too small to properly attach oximeter sensors; therefore, the sensors are often placed on the sole or the palm. However, no study has determined the precision and accuracy of the pulse oximeter readings at these different locations. The study was conducted ...
The buzz on infection control
Jan 01, 2009; ... Innovations in Practice Honey's history in healing and infection control began around 3,000 B.C. in Egypt. Lately, however, researchers have revitalized the age-old remedy and turned to examining honey as a wound treatment. In a four-week randomized, controlled trial, manuka ...
Cuff location may skew blood pressure measurement
Jan 01, 2009; ... Occasionally, the forearm is used as an alternate site for blood pressure measurement (BPM), but the assumption has always been the forearm reads higher than the upper arm. To determine the relationship, nurses recruited 106 participants from an apartment complex in the Midwest. A variety of ...
Big city opportunity
Jan 01, 2009; ... Jessica Cuesta, RN, is young, single, and possesses a zeal for adventure, so it is no wonder she finds the mobile lifestyle too interesting to pass up. After completing her education in 2005, Jessica set out like any other new nurse: she accepted a full-time position on a general medical ...
San Antonio, Texas
Jan 01, 2009; ... One of America's oldest western cities, San Antonio is an urban oasis that offers both modern amenities and historic charm. Although the city was originally settled by Native Americans, a group of Spanish explorers came upon the San Antonio River in 1691. In 1716, the building of a fort ...
Iowa City, Iowa
Jan 01, 2009; ... Stroll the Literary Walk. The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk celebrates works by 49 acclaimed writers who have ties to Iowa. Installed in 2000, the Walk comprises a series of bronze relief panels that feature authors' words and attributions, general quotations stamped into the sidewalk, and artwork ...
Take only what fits
Jan 01, 2009; ... I became a healthcare traveler because I have always loved to experience new places, but I couldn't always afford to travel. My mobile career gives me the opportunity to visit all of the places that I want to see, and it enables me the opportunity to take my granddaughter with me to destinations ...
Can I deduct losses in my IRA?
Jan 01, 2009; ... If you were shocked when you looked at the year-end statements from your retirement accounts, you are not alone. The financial crisis has wiped out much of the hard-earned retirement savings globally. Unfortunately, most individuals will not be able to take advantage of any tax relief due to the ...
Cheap flights
Jan 01, 2009; ... V Australia The Virgin Blue Group introduces its international airline- V Australia. Now offering direct flights between Los Angeles, California, and Sydney, Australia, the carrier presents allinclusive in-flight meal options and Panasonic audio and video on demand entertainment systems ...
Deals on wheels
Jan 01, 2009; ... ACE Rent A Car Visit www.acerentacar.com for daily discounts. Recent sample prices (per day) included $8 for a Chevrolet Aveo in Las Vegas, Nevada, $15 for a Chevrolet Cobalt Coupe in Greenwood, Indiana, and $24 for a Ford Focus in Bloomington, Indiana. Go online for details and phone ...
Low-cost lodging
Jan 01, 2009; ... Value Place Pelham The extended stay lodge in Pelham, Alabama, offers a dining table, microwave oven, two-burner stove, full-size refrigerator with freezer, and one free movie channel in each room. Weekly prices begin at $223. Visitwww.valueplace.com or call (800) VALUEPLACE to ...
Budget entertainment & getaways
Jan 01, 2009; ... Wyndham Riverfront New Orleans Mardi Gras Day is February 24, 2009. Book a stay at this historic Warehouse District hotel for as little as $225 nightly. The French Quarter, Convention Center, and Harrah's New Orleans Casino are just steps away from the downtown location. Visit ...
Demonstrating your competence and character
Jan 01, 2009; ... When you arrive at a contract hospital or clinic, it is important to begin your assignment with your best foot forward, mindful of the impressions you'll make. While most healthcare providers inherendy appreciate travelers' expertise and ability to adapt to changing environments, there may come ...
University of Saint Mary
Jan 01, 2009; ... In 1858, the Sisters of Charity settled in Leavenworth, Kansas, with a mission to educate frontier settlers. By 1859, the sisters were so successful, they opened St. Mary's Female Academy. The school thrived and in 1923 became Saint Mary College, a junior college. By 1932, the college became a ...
Radiologic Technologists
Jan 01, 2009; ... ARRT, ASRT join forces for online education in digital imaging A new online educational program, sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, aims to give registered radiologic technologists and radiologic sdence students a solid understanding of the technology and ...
GE TiP-TV courses available at ASRT Store
Jan 01, 2009; ... GE Healthcare's Training in Partnership Television (TiP-TV) programs are now available to radiologic technologists worldwide via the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Store (www.asrt.org/store). Currently, 17 TiP-TV programs are available, which include a variety of topics in ...
Sonographers
Jan 01, 2009; ... SDMS announces momentous achievement for sonography education The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography recently announced its completion of the National Education Curriculum (NEC) for Sonography (http//jrcdms.org/nechtm). This collaborative project spanned 3 years and included ...
Out with the girls
Jan 01, 2009; ... After 29 years of service as an OR staff nurse and surgery director, Margaret Emme, RN, decided it was time for a change. She had heard travelers talk about all their adventures, and the stories stuck with her. So when her youngest son left home to attend college, Margaret talked it over ...
Drug approved for Huntington's disease
Jan 01, 2009; ... The FDA has approved tetrabenazine (Xenazine) as the first-ever treatment for Huntington's disease. Tetrabenazine was originally developed in the 1950s to treat symptoms of psychosis, but has been found to be safe and effective in treating chorea, the involuntary, spastic body movements that ...
Dot.com
Jan 01, 2009; ... WEBSITES FOR SAVVY HEALTHCARE TRAVELERS www.SlimTree.com Register for a free membership for access to quality exercise video lessons, including yoga, pilates, martial arts, kick boxing, aerobics, dance, and more. Certified fitness instructors, a free newsletter, and an online ...