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Natural rubber, latex allergy videoconference broadcast
Natural
Rubber, Latex Allergy Videoconference
Natural rubber and latex allergies are an emerging public health issue that affects a wide range of health care and workplace procedures and practices. Allergies to materials, such as protective gloves, containing these ingredients can result in potentially serious health problems. Managers responsible for workers who are routinely exposed to these materials in all occupational settings need to know how to recognize and prevent serious natural rubber or latex allergic reactions. On Tuesday, May 5, from 1 to 4: 15 PM EST, the Food and Drug Administration and 15 other government agencies and associations, including American professional the Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), are sponsoring a live satellite teleconference, “Natural Rubber/Latex Allergy: Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention.” During the teleconference, a panel of experts representing
Program
Provides Quality
66 HOME
CARE PROVIDER
major health care organizations, occupational health and safety professionals, and medical and dental device manufacturers will provide up-to-date information on the identification, management, and prevention of natural rubber and latex allergies in health care and occupational settings. In addition, viewers may phone or fax in questions to the panelists during the program. The live broadcast has been granted continuing education credit by the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Dental Association, and APhA. The fee for all professionals desiring continuing education credit for their participation is $25. Additional information about the teleconference, including continuing education and site license registration forms, can be obtained from the natural rubber/latex allergy website at b~://latex.jdli.org or by calling APhA at (202) 429-7558.
Follow-up
A visiting nurse association (VNA) in Kentucky has developed an emergency department (ED) program that provides prompt quality care to patients after an ED visit and decreases the need for hospitalization. The program provides follow-up home care services directly from the ED and ensures continuity of care when hospitalization is not necessary. The program has been implemented at two metropolitan hospitals, each with more than 400 beds and approximately 40,000 ED visits per year. A key component of the ED home care program is the nurse home health care coordinator, who is located in the hospitals and serves as a liaison between the ED physician and the patient’s primary care physician to ensure that follow-up care is prompt and effective. The nurse also meets with patients and caregivers and coordinates supplies and equipment. The nurse is physically based in the ED, alternating between the two hospitals, which are within two blocks. The nurse is on-site Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM. After hours, the VNA has a clinical nurse manager on call to accommodate the ED 24 hours a day, i’ days a week. The ED physician assesses the patient, confers with the primary care physician, and orders home health care if warranted. Nurse home health coordinator services include: l Meeting with the patient and caregiver l Arranging nursing, rehabilitation, and specialty services
Broadcast
Home Care after EDVisit
(e.g., diabetes care, wound care) Completing all paperwork and verifying insurance Advantages of the program are that it frees beds in the ED, is cost-effective, and allows the ED staff to concentrate on the patients who need emergency care. The response time of the home care service is a key factor in working with ED cases. The ED physicians can make referrals to the VNA at any time. For example, if an ED physician has stabilized a patient with diabetes who has very high blood glucose at 2 AM and needs a nurse at the home later that morning to follow up and evaluate, the VNA will ensure a nurse visit is made. The most frequent diagnoses referred to home health care from the ED are exacerbation of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cellulitis, hypertension, Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and wound care. After the initial visit to the patient at home, the nurse follows up with the primary care physician. The VNA provides the link between the ED and primary care physicians to ensure continuity of care. During the first few months of operation, the program diverted 180 people from the hospital ED to home care. The program has been a win/win situation for all concerned-the ED, patient, and primary care physician. l
APRIL 1998, VOL. 3 NO. 2
Rubber, Latex Allergy Videoconference
Natural rubber and latex allergies are an emerging public health issue that affects a wide range of health care and workplace procedures and practices. Allergies to materials, such as protective gloves, containing these ingredients can result in potentially serious health problems. Managers responsible for workers who are routinely exposed to these materials in all occupational settings need to know how to recognize and prevent serious natural rubber or latex allergic reactions. On Tuesday, May 5, from 1 to 4: 15 PM EST, the Food and Drug Administration and 15 other government agencies and associations, including American professional the Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), are sponsoring a live satellite teleconference, “Natural Rubber/Latex Allergy: Recognition, Treatment, and Prevention.” During the teleconference, a panel of experts representing
Program
Provides Quality
66 HOME
CARE PROVIDER
major health care organizations, occupational health and safety professionals, and medical and dental device manufacturers will provide up-to-date information on the identification, management, and prevention of natural rubber and latex allergies in health care and occupational settings. In addition, viewers may phone or fax in questions to the panelists during the program. The live broadcast has been granted continuing education credit by the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, American Dental Association, and APhA. The fee for all professionals desiring continuing education credit for their participation is $25. Additional information about the teleconference, including continuing education and site license registration forms, can be obtained from the natural rubber/latex allergy website at b~://latex.jdli.org or by calling APhA at (202) 429-7558.
Follow-up
A visiting nurse association (VNA) in Kentucky has developed an emergency department (ED) program that provides prompt quality care to patients after an ED visit and decreases the need for hospitalization. The program provides follow-up home care services directly from the ED and ensures continuity of care when hospitalization is not necessary. The program has been implemented at two metropolitan hospitals, each with more than 400 beds and approximately 40,000 ED visits per year. A key component of the ED home care program is the nurse home health care coordinator, who is located in the hospitals and serves as a liaison between the ED physician and the patient’s primary care physician to ensure that follow-up care is prompt and effective. The nurse also meets with patients and caregivers and coordinates supplies and equipment. The nurse is physically based in the ED, alternating between the two hospitals, which are within two blocks. The nurse is on-site Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM. After hours, the VNA has a clinical nurse manager on call to accommodate the ED 24 hours a day, i’ days a week. The ED physician assesses the patient, confers with the primary care physician, and orders home health care if warranted. Nurse home health coordinator services include: l Meeting with the patient and caregiver l Arranging nursing, rehabilitation, and specialty services
Broadcast
Home Care after EDVisit
(e.g., diabetes care, wound care) Completing all paperwork and verifying insurance Advantages of the program are that it frees beds in the ED, is cost-effective, and allows the ED staff to concentrate on the patients who need emergency care. The response time of the home care service is a key factor in working with ED cases. The ED physicians can make referrals to the VNA at any time. For example, if an ED physician has stabilized a patient with diabetes who has very high blood glucose at 2 AM and needs a nurse at the home later that morning to follow up and evaluate, the VNA will ensure a nurse visit is made. The most frequent diagnoses referred to home health care from the ED are exacerbation of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cellulitis, hypertension, Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and wound care. After the initial visit to the patient at home, the nurse follows up with the primary care physician. The VNA provides the link between the ED and primary care physicians to ensure continuity of care. During the first few months of operation, the program diverted 180 people from the hospital ED to home care. The program has been a win/win situation for all concerned-the ED, patient, and primary care physician. l
APRIL 1998, VOL. 3 NO. 2