Kansas State Nurses Association annual reports 2002: Liaison reports

Kansas Nurse, Sep 2002 by Whitlock, Darlene S

Advisory Committee on Trauma

The Kansas Committee on Trauma has met quarterly again this year, with both representatives Lois Towster and Darlene Whitlock, being present at all meetings. The committee is moving from the planning phase to the implementation phase for trauma system development for the state. Twenty-four Collector Trauma Registries have been deployed to hospitals around the state with training occurring in Topeka, Wichita and Hays. Many of the registry systems are being overseen by nurse managers. It is hoped that the collection of the data will be helpful in identifying causes of injury for prevention activities, opportunities to improve direct trauma patient care, identify regional system strengths and weaknesses including those with EMS, and be used to quantify trauma in Kansas. Darlene is the coordinator at the Kansas Hospital Association for this contract. All Kansas hospitals are required by law to participate, but they can determine at what level.

The Consortium for the Improvement of Trauma Care (CITE) has begun distributing funding for specific trauma education classes. The CITE is a partnership of the Kansas State Nurses Association, the Kansas Medical Society, the Kansas Hospital Association, and Region III EMS. Currently, the funding is available to nurses for the Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) and advanced practice nurses in the Advanced Trauma Life Support Course (ATLS). Information for funding can be obtained from Darlene at KHA. Her number at KHA is 785-276-3118. A web site is being developed to enhance the availability of information.

All six Regional Trauma Councils (RTC) are now formed. Information specific to them can be obtained at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) web site, under the Office of Local and Rural Health. The Councils were formed from nominations from hospitals of a registered nurse, physician and administrator, as well as EMS personnel and registered nurses from the local health departments. A facilitator has been hired to assist the Councils.

Informational meetings, regarding the entire trauma plan and the trauma registry specifically, were held around the state. These informational meetings were conducted by Darlene Whitlock, and Rosanne Ruthowski, State Trauma Director and member of KSNA District 1. These meetings were held in Pittsburg, Great Bend, Topeka and Holton.

Plans for the next year include: further deployment of the trauma registry and reporting of information to the Bureau of Vital Statistics, increasing the funding of a variety of trauma related education classes, and the RTCs will begin working on local improvement of trauma care.

I have been honored to serve as a KSNA representative on the ACT. If there are any questions regarding these activities, please contact me at 785-276-3118 or dwhitlock@kha-net.org.

Darlene S. Whitlock Liaison

Kansas Association of Nursing Students

The Kansas Association of Nursing Students started out the year at the joint KSNA/KANS convention in Topeka with the election of the Board of Directors. It has been a pleasure to work with the 2001-2002 KANS Board members this past year as they demonstrated their commitment of time and talents in serving their state professional organization. President Jeff Waddell, represented the KANS Board at the national mid-year convention in Reno. The majority of the KANS Board, as well as a strong contingency of KANS members from throughout the state, attended the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) convention in Philadelphia in April 2002. At the NSNA convention, Jeff was elected to the position of NSNA Board of Directors-North and he also serves as the national membership chairperson. Vice-President Parliamentarian, Daisy Delay, has been a valuable resource to Jeff and the rest of the KANS Board with parliamentary expertise. Sonya Brown, Secretary, has been diligent in keeping records of all meetings and Board actions. The Treasurer, Katie Brosnahan, has done a great job of staying on top of the financial records including dealing with the necessary challenge of setting up a new account. Vice President of Convention, Erin Rosefeld, has been working very hard in planning speakers and activities for the KSNA/KANS Convention in Wichita. The Membership Chair, Krista Nilsen, has promoted membership through visits to schools and newsletters. Alaina Cunninham, Project Chair, has worked hard on organizing effective fund raising activities. Cathy Duncan was the Breakthrough to Nursing Chair, a new position this past year. She did recruitment letters and shared ideas for promoting nursing to high school and grade school children. DeeDee Syring, the K-COSP Chair, has done an outstanding job of planning speakers and exhibitors for the K-COSP meetings for spring and fall. Tess Bell, Legislative Chair, successfully encouraged participation in the Day at the Legislature as it was very well attended by students. The KANS consultants Carrie Bloedel, Megan Hawbaker, and Michelle Berry used their past experience to help provide expert advice to the Board. One great feature of this Board was that it included members from a variety of schools from throughout the state. They came together and worked respectfully and professionally to promote nursing and KANS.