Resolutions Passed at House of Delegates - September 26, 2003

Collaboration in the Healthcare Setting

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, General business practices emphasize the value of collaboration in order to achieve mutual goals; and

Whereas, The advantage of collaborating or working together as a team is that each team member's capabilities are utilized to the fullest; and

Whereas, Collaborative relationships and partnerships are built when all members of the health care team share resources to best meet the needs of the patients; and

Whereas, Factors that impact collaboration in the health care setting include visionary leaders who can articulate how to achieve expected outcomes, team members willing to take the risk to facilitate new strategies, a shared commitment to maintain open channels of communication; and

Whereas, A successful team will involve using individuals who have different skills and backgrounds; and

Whereas, Successful teams focus on common interest and goals to help minimize differences; and

Whereas, Historical nursing practices and nursing research provides models for a collaborative team effort; therefore be it

Resolved, That ASNA actively build bridges to other health care organizations by involving them in planning mutual activities, engaging in dialogues impacting healthcare, etc.; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA provide educational opportunities about delivery models that promote team work; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA explore other methods of the delivery of health care through dialogue at the state and local levels, printing both pros and cons of the ideas presented in The Alabama Nurse, and providing educational opportunities concerning other alternative methods.

Adult Immunizations

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, According to the National Coalition for Adult Immunizations, up to 60,000 Americans die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases; and

Whereas, Pneumonia and influenza together are the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S., and the fifth leading cause of death among older adults; and

Whereas, Medicare Part B fully reimburses healthcare providers who accept Medicare-approved payment amount for both influenza and pneumococcal immunizations; and

Whereas, During most influenza seasons, 10% - 20% of the nation's population is infected with influenza with an annual estimated cost to society of up to $12 billion during severe epidemics; and

Whereas, Each year in the US, pneumococcal disease accounts for an estimated 500,000 cases of pneumonia, 6000 cases of bacteremia, & 3,300 cases of meningitis; and

Whereas, Pneumonocal pneumonia, the most common form of pneumonia, accounts for up to 175,000 case of hospitalizations each year, and

Whereas, The hepatitis B virus is 100 times more infectious that HIV and an estimated 80,000 Americans are infected with hepatitis, and an estimated 180,000 Americans are infected with all forms of hepatitis each year; and

Whereas, 50 or fewer cases of tetanus occur each year, but result in about five deaths. Most deaths occur in individuals who are 60 years of age or older, or never been vaccinated, or who have not had a booster in the last 10 years; and

Whereas, Almost all reported cases of tetanus occur in persons who have never been vaccinated or persons who have had their primary series, but not a booster within the last 10 years; and

Whereas, Nearly one out of 10 people who get diphtheria will die from it; and

Whereas, Unimmunized persons of any age can get measles, but those born after 1956 who do not have proof of immunity are particularly at risk and should be immunized; and

Whereas, If rubella occurs during pregnancy, it can result in severe birth defects; and

Whereas, Approximately 1/5 of infected people do not exhibit symptoms of mumps; and

Whereas, Serious complication of mumps and chicken pox are more severe in adults as compared to children; therefore be it

Resolved, That ASNA publish the CDC 2002-2003 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule in The Alabama Nurse; and be it further

Resolved that all Districts provide a CE activity on adult immunizations during 2003-2004.

: Opposition to Bigger & Heavier Trucks

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, According to 2001 figures of the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) Alabama had 145 people killed and 1,902 injured in truck crashes; and

Whereas, In February 2003 a national poll concluded that 89% of likely voters oppose allowing triple trailer truck operations and are opposed to bigger (triple) trucks because of safety; and

Whereas, According to an August 2002 U.S. DOT study, bigger trucks are likely to have 11% higher fatal accidents as compared to single trucks and double and triple trucks are larger and slower, thus have trouble merging and changing lanes and have trouble maintaining speed on upgrades. According to a University of Texas study, a 15 mile per hour speed differential increases accident risk nine times; and

Whereas, Heavier trucks have a higher center of gravity because the extra weight is typically stacked vertically. Raising the center of gravity increases the risk of rollovers; and

Whereas, According to the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, there is a strong statistical link between higher weights and risk of fatalities. The U.S. DOT states that as weights increase from 65,000 to 80,000 the risk of fatalities goes up 50%; and

Whereas, Heavier trucks require an extra axle which will be harder to steer. The third axle decreases the steer ability by requiring sideways skidding of at least one rear axle. This makes emergency maneuvers more difficult; and

Whereas, Allowing bigger trucks will worsen an already severe national problem with deteriorating, crowded highways; and

Whereas, The 2000 Federal Highway Cost Allocation Study finds that heavier trucks would actually cost the average taxpayer money for every mile traveled by a bigger truck; and

Whereas, The most common triple trailer combination would pay only 70% of its federal highway costs and heavy single trailer truck would pay as little as 50% of their share of highway costs; and

Whereas, According to a 2002 report from the U.S. DOT nationwide operation of longer combination vehicles would add $53 million in new bridge reconstruction costs. This same study noted that there would be $266 billion in lost time and extra fuel burned by auto drivers stuck in traffie because of bridge work resulting from nationwide operation of bigger & heavier trucks. Thus the total bridge cost would be $319 billion; and

Whereas, The 2002 U.S. DOT statistics revel that Alabama currently has 709 bridges (27%) in the national highway system that are in need of serious repair; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2003 ASNA House of Delegates vote to stand in opposition to increasing the length and weight of trucks; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2003 House of Delegates send a letter to each member of the Alabama Congressional Delegation expressing opposition.

Mentoring

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, Mentoring provides a joint leadership development experience for both the mentor and mentoree; and

Whereas, A mentoring relationship helps the mentoree assess personal growth and development and set realistic and modifiable goals; and

Whereas, A mentor helps the mentoree develop coping skills appropriate to their work area; and

Whereas, A mentor motivates & inspires; and

Whereas, A mentor eases the transitional experience; and

Whereas, Being a mentor can empower nurses to make a positive difference in healthcare; and

Whereas, A mentor can help develop clinical expertise that meets the health care needs of patients; therefore be it

Resolved, That ASNA provide continuing education on mentoring programs; therefore be it further

Resolved, That ASNA will serve as a resource to other organizations.

Resolved, That ASNA will serve as a partner to Alabama Organization of Nursing Leaders in promoting staff nurse/new graduate mentoring partnerships.

Alabama Nurses Disaster Preparedness Network (ANDPN)

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, Nurses have a long history of playing a key role in responding to the health needs which result from local, regional, national, and global emergencies, and

Whereas, A significant number of nurses want to volunteer in providing disaster/relief services in local, state, and national disasters, and

Whereas, Emergencies and disasters are unpredictable and disaster responsiveness requires coordination of services and an available and reliable nurse network and,

Whereas, No system currently exists to recruit, register, or coordinate volunteer efforts of nurses in Alabama, and

Whereas, Appropriate education is necessary for nurses to provide disaster care to the community; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Alabama State Nurses Association (ASNA) will develop a procedure for the participation of registered nurses in the planning and implementation of disaster preparedness at the local, state and national level; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA will provide education and training related to disaster preparedness and response to nurses and other health care providers; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA will collaborate with nursing the Alabama Department of Public Health to facilitate Alabama nurses' response to disaster events.

The Nursing Shortage

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, There is a looming disparity in the nursing workforce between the demand and supply of RNs with a current shortage of over 110,000 nation wide; and

Whereas, The shortage of RNs in Alabama is serious at present but will become critical over the next decade if present conditions continue; and

Whereas, Many studies have identified the factors that contribute to this shortage; and

Whereas, The shortage issues are multifaceted, including the aging work force, the aging population, changing roles of nurses, changing values of nurses, technology, unavailability of faculty, and cultural diversity; therefore be it

Resolved, That Alabama State Nurses Association (ASNA) develop strategies to educate the public at large on the value and purpose of RNs in the health care settings; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA collaborate with other key health care stakeholders to promote partnerships to address issued related to the impending nurse shortage; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA explore new ways to develop organizational and leadership skills within the RN workforce; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA continue to publish articles in the Alabama Nurse on "The Value of A Nurse;" and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA will support the Center for Nursing at the Alabama Board of Nursing.

EldercarePlanning

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, Approximately 22 million American families are involved in providing care to their elderly relatives; and

Whereas, Most caregivers are also employed full time; and

Whereas, Today's senior citizens have a longer life expectancy and currently represent almost 20% of the U.S. population; and

Whereas, These seniors will require more health care services over their longer life span; and

Whereas, There is a plethora of health care services available if the caregiver knows where to find assistance; and

Whereas, There is a growing demand for eldercare services; and

Whereas, Medicare and Medicaid provide limited resources; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Alabama State Nurses Association publish in The Alabama Nurse information on available eldercare assistance and services in Alabama; and be it further

Resolved, That the Alabama State Nurses Association will encourage members to be proactive in planning for eldercare for themselves and for their family members.

Aging Workforce

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, The nursing workforce is getting older, for example the average age of an RN in Alabama is 46 years old and over 13% of Alabama Nurses are in their 60s; and

Whereas, For a variety of reasons many of these older nurses do not or can not retire at this time; and

Whereas, They may need to work fewer hours; and

Whereas, They may need to work in a less stressful and physically challenging environment; be it therefore

Resolved, That the Alabama State Nurses Association will publish material on using the aging workforce to benefit all parties; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA provide educational information to its members on how to adjust working conditions for the older nurse.

Increase Knowledge, Awareness, and Prevention of Domestic Violence

Date: September 26, 2003

Whereas, Domestic violence is a problem that affects every community, all races, social and economic backgrounds, cultures, religions, and relationship types; and

Whereas, Domestic violence includes physical assault, sexual assault, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, and isolation; and

Whereas, Domestic violence is a deliberate pattern of abusive tactics used by one partner in an intimate relationship to obtain and maintain power and control over the other partner; and

Whereas, Annually 1.5 million women in the United States are assaulted by their intimate partners; and

Whereas, It is unknown how many men are assaulted every year as those statistics are not adequately reported; and

Whereas, According to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, Alabama reflects national statistics where 83-85% of the victims of domestic violence cases reported by law enforcement agencies were females; and

Whereas, According to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center in 2001 there were 40 domestic violence homicides and 28,397 domestic violence assaults; and

Whereas, The State of Alabama passed legislation in 2000 which named domestic violence as a separate crime in the criminal code and stiffened penalties for abusers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the ASNA will provide continuing education and publish articles on prevention of domestic violence; and be it further

Resolved, That ASNA will continue representation and collaboration with the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Copyright Alabama State Nurses' Association Dec 2003-Feb 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved