- Email: [email protected]
National campaign against drowsy driving
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC)
PLAYGROUNDS URGED TO REMOVE HAZARDOUS ANIMAL SWINGS The CPSC has issued an injury prevention alert regarding hazards associated with metal or m o l d e d plastic "animal" swings. 1 The CPSC estimates that 10,000 of the swings are in use in the United States. The swings can vary in weight from 30 to 80 pounds (66 to 176 kg). Forty-two head injuries (i.e., skull fractures, concussions, brain damage, lacerations, and contusions) have been reported as a result of children being struck while walking near a swing. One child lost sight in an eye, and two children died as a result of their injuries. Consumers are asked to do the following to help with this injury prevention effort. Administrators of playgrounds with the animal swings should be requested to remove the swings immediately. Several manufacturers are offering incentive plans to parks, school boards, and day care centers to immediately remove and replace the swings. The list of names and numbers can be obtained from the CPSC by calling 800-6382772. This n u m b e r provides INT J TRAUMANURS1995; 1:58-60. Copyright 9 1995 by the Emergency Nurses Association. 1075-4210/95 $3.00 + 0 65/8/63887
58
a s s i s t a n c e for English- a n d Spanish-speaking callers. A teletypewriter for the speech or hearing impaired is available at 800-638-8270.
REFERENCE 1. CPSC and manufacturers alert playgrounds to remove animal swings [News release]. Washington, DC: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, January 12, 1995.
NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION
NATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST DROWSY DRIVING Decreasing the dangers caused by drowsy drivers is the focus of a national campaign in the United States. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF),* along with the National Highway Traffic Safety A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (NHTSA), the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health, the American Trucking Association Foundation, Searle, Hilton Hotels, and Mitsubishi, organized a national forum in December 1994 to initiate the national phase of their "Drive A l e r t . . . Arrive Alive" campaign. *The National Sleep Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who have sleep disorders and to preventing catastrophic accidents related to sleep deprivation or sleep disorders. The foundation is supported by public and private contributions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAUMA NURSING/Trauma News Today
A l t h o u g h d r o w s i n e s s is a known factor in causing motor vehicle crashes, it is difficult to d e t e r m i n e the scope of this problem in the United States. Sleepiness is difficult to measure after the fact, and most U.S. police lack the training and forms to recognize or report crashes caused by sleepiness or fatigue. Estimates of how extensive the problem is in the United States are based on surveys and include the following: (1) NHTSA estimates that 60,000 to 240,000 crashes each year are related to sleepiness behind the wheel; (2) 24% of drivers in New York State s e l f - r e p o r t e d h a v i n g fallen asleep at the wheel, and 40% to 50% of fatal crashes on the New York Thruway were estimated to h a v e o c c u r r e d b e c a u s e the driver fell asleep at the wheel; (3) the National Transportation Safety Board found in studies that 58% of single-vehicle, heavy truck accidents and 31% of fatal-to-the-driver commercial truck crashes were caused by driver fatigue. 1 The U.S. n u m b e r s can be compared with the experience in Australia, a country that uses standardized criteria for deter= mining w h e t h e r a crash was sleep related. Australians estimate that 6% of all crashes, 15% of fatal crashes, and 30% of fatal crashes on rural roads can be attributed to sleepiness. 1 The national campaign launched by the groups participating in the December conference recommends multiple ap-
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
proaches. Highway safety engineers are investigating warning strips on road shoulders or center lines to alert the driver to the vehicle's position. NHTSA is funding a drowsy-driver research program to identify invehicle devices that may alert the driver to drowsiness. Perh a p s the e a s i e s t a n d m o s t readily available efforts will be those directed toward educating the public and medical personnel about the seriousness of the behavior, ways to recognize high-risk drivers, methods that can be used to prevent fatigue, and the need to identify and treat patients with sleep disorders. Individuals interested in obtaining educational materials are invited to write to the National Sleep Foundation, 1367 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, or fax requests to 202-785-2880.
REFERENCE 1. Drowsy driving fact sheet. Washington, DC: NationalSleep Foundation,1995.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL-CARE NURSES (AACN)
AACN ANNOUNCES NEW SMALL GRANT PROGRAM The AACN Clinical Inquiry Fund provides small awards of up to $250 for research projects that will directly benefit patients, families, or both. Interdisciplinary projects are especially invited. Awards are available to qualified regular and affiliate AACN members.
APRIL-JUNE 1995
Funds will be a w a r d e d for approach to teach and strengthen projects that address one or more critical decision-making skills. AACN research priorities and link Nurses will be asked to analyze with the Association vision. New psychophysiologic principles as projects, projects in progress, and they relate to the human response projects required for an academic to injury; integrate the concepts degree qualify for a Clinical In- through case studies; synthesize quiry Grant, as long as other the principles of trauma system award criteria are met. development, ethical considerA p p l i c a t i o n s for the first ations, and the application of sciround of awards must be re- ence to nursing practice; and ceived by AACN by J u l y I, evaluate the effectiveness of ad1995, to be c o n s i d e r e d for vanced trauma nursing on patient funding. Awards will be an- outcome. n o u n c e d within 45 days of The 1 3 - h o u r c o u r s e will deadline. A complete applica- combine didactic content with tion will include interactive discussions. Partici9Application form pants will be eligible for op9 Letter of support from a tional verification. The course person who can address the may officially be attended only applicant's ability to com- by registered nurses. It is recplete the project o m m e n d e d that course partici9Letter of support from the pants be Trauma Nurse Core institution or unit w h e r e Course (TNCC) providers, have project will be conducted at least 2 years of clinical nurs9 Evidence that the project ing e x p e r i e n c e in an e m e r has been approved by an g e n c y or critical care setting institutional review board or before taking the course, and administratively reviewed as h a v e an u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f exempt trauma care terminology and To request AACN research standard trauma equipment. priorities and a Clinical Inquiry Additional information may application, call 800-899-AACN. be o b t a i n e d b y c o n t a c t i n g Michele Barton-Thomas at the Emergency Nurses Association, EMERGENCY NURSES 216 Higgins Rd., Park Ridge, IL ASSOCIATION (ENA) 60068, telephone 708-698-9400, ext. 3336.
ENA ANNOUNCES COURSE IN ADVANCED TRAUMA NURSING: A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH
The ENA plans to introduce an advanced trauma course for registered nurses late in the fall of 1995. "Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing: A Conceptual Approach" will use a case-study
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PRACTICE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED TO TREAT PRESSURE SORES The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR)
INTERNATIONALJOURNALOF TRAUMA NURSING/TraumaNewsToday 59
PLAYGROUNDS URGED TO REMOVE HAZARDOUS ANIMAL SWINGS The CPSC has issued an injury prevention alert regarding hazards associated with metal or m o l d e d plastic "animal" swings. 1 The CPSC estimates that 10,000 of the swings are in use in the United States. The swings can vary in weight from 30 to 80 pounds (66 to 176 kg). Forty-two head injuries (i.e., skull fractures, concussions, brain damage, lacerations, and contusions) have been reported as a result of children being struck while walking near a swing. One child lost sight in an eye, and two children died as a result of their injuries. Consumers are asked to do the following to help with this injury prevention effort. Administrators of playgrounds with the animal swings should be requested to remove the swings immediately. Several manufacturers are offering incentive plans to parks, school boards, and day care centers to immediately remove and replace the swings. The list of names and numbers can be obtained from the CPSC by calling 800-6382772. This n u m b e r provides INT J TRAUMANURS1995; 1:58-60. Copyright 9 1995 by the Emergency Nurses Association. 1075-4210/95 $3.00 + 0 65/8/63887
58
a s s i s t a n c e for English- a n d Spanish-speaking callers. A teletypewriter for the speech or hearing impaired is available at 800-638-8270.
REFERENCE 1. CPSC and manufacturers alert playgrounds to remove animal swings [News release]. Washington, DC: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, January 12, 1995.
NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION
NATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST DROWSY DRIVING Decreasing the dangers caused by drowsy drivers is the focus of a national campaign in the United States. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF),* along with the National Highway Traffic Safety A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (NHTSA), the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety, the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health, the American Trucking Association Foundation, Searle, Hilton Hotels, and Mitsubishi, organized a national forum in December 1994 to initiate the national phase of their "Drive A l e r t . . . Arrive Alive" campaign. *The National Sleep Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who have sleep disorders and to preventing catastrophic accidents related to sleep deprivation or sleep disorders. The foundation is supported by public and private contributions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRAUMA NURSING/Trauma News Today
A l t h o u g h d r o w s i n e s s is a known factor in causing motor vehicle crashes, it is difficult to d e t e r m i n e the scope of this problem in the United States. Sleepiness is difficult to measure after the fact, and most U.S. police lack the training and forms to recognize or report crashes caused by sleepiness or fatigue. Estimates of how extensive the problem is in the United States are based on surveys and include the following: (1) NHTSA estimates that 60,000 to 240,000 crashes each year are related to sleepiness behind the wheel; (2) 24% of drivers in New York State s e l f - r e p o r t e d h a v i n g fallen asleep at the wheel, and 40% to 50% of fatal crashes on the New York Thruway were estimated to h a v e o c c u r r e d b e c a u s e the driver fell asleep at the wheel; (3) the National Transportation Safety Board found in studies that 58% of single-vehicle, heavy truck accidents and 31% of fatal-to-the-driver commercial truck crashes were caused by driver fatigue. 1 The U.S. n u m b e r s can be compared with the experience in Australia, a country that uses standardized criteria for deter= mining w h e t h e r a crash was sleep related. Australians estimate that 6% of all crashes, 15% of fatal crashes, and 30% of fatal crashes on rural roads can be attributed to sleepiness. 1 The national campaign launched by the groups participating in the December conference recommends multiple ap-
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2
proaches. Highway safety engineers are investigating warning strips on road shoulders or center lines to alert the driver to the vehicle's position. NHTSA is funding a drowsy-driver research program to identify invehicle devices that may alert the driver to drowsiness. Perh a p s the e a s i e s t a n d m o s t readily available efforts will be those directed toward educating the public and medical personnel about the seriousness of the behavior, ways to recognize high-risk drivers, methods that can be used to prevent fatigue, and the need to identify and treat patients with sleep disorders. Individuals interested in obtaining educational materials are invited to write to the National Sleep Foundation, 1367 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036, or fax requests to 202-785-2880.
REFERENCE 1. Drowsy driving fact sheet. Washington, DC: NationalSleep Foundation,1995.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CRITICAL-CARE NURSES (AACN)
AACN ANNOUNCES NEW SMALL GRANT PROGRAM The AACN Clinical Inquiry Fund provides small awards of up to $250 for research projects that will directly benefit patients, families, or both. Interdisciplinary projects are especially invited. Awards are available to qualified regular and affiliate AACN members.
APRIL-JUNE 1995
Funds will be a w a r d e d for approach to teach and strengthen projects that address one or more critical decision-making skills. AACN research priorities and link Nurses will be asked to analyze with the Association vision. New psychophysiologic principles as projects, projects in progress, and they relate to the human response projects required for an academic to injury; integrate the concepts degree qualify for a Clinical In- through case studies; synthesize quiry Grant, as long as other the principles of trauma system award criteria are met. development, ethical considerA p p l i c a t i o n s for the first ations, and the application of sciround of awards must be re- ence to nursing practice; and ceived by AACN by J u l y I, evaluate the effectiveness of ad1995, to be c o n s i d e r e d for vanced trauma nursing on patient funding. Awards will be an- outcome. n o u n c e d within 45 days of The 1 3 - h o u r c o u r s e will deadline. A complete applica- combine didactic content with tion will include interactive discussions. Partici9Application form pants will be eligible for op9 Letter of support from a tional verification. The course person who can address the may officially be attended only applicant's ability to com- by registered nurses. It is recplete the project o m m e n d e d that course partici9Letter of support from the pants be Trauma Nurse Core institution or unit w h e r e Course (TNCC) providers, have project will be conducted at least 2 years of clinical nurs9 Evidence that the project ing e x p e r i e n c e in an e m e r has been approved by an g e n c y or critical care setting institutional review board or before taking the course, and administratively reviewed as h a v e an u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f exempt trauma care terminology and To request AACN research standard trauma equipment. priorities and a Clinical Inquiry Additional information may application, call 800-899-AACN. be o b t a i n e d b y c o n t a c t i n g Michele Barton-Thomas at the Emergency Nurses Association, EMERGENCY NURSES 216 Higgins Rd., Park Ridge, IL ASSOCIATION (ENA) 60068, telephone 708-698-9400, ext. 3336.
ENA ANNOUNCES COURSE IN ADVANCED TRAUMA NURSING: A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH
The ENA plans to introduce an advanced trauma course for registered nurses late in the fall of 1995. "Course in Advanced Trauma Nursing: A Conceptual Approach" will use a case-study
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PRACTICE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED TO TREAT PRESSURE SORES The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR)
INTERNATIONALJOURNALOF TRAUMA NURSING/TraumaNewsToday 59