February 15, 2008 |
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TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR "TO DO" LIST!
HAZARD PLAN NEEDS YOUR REVIEW
FLU NEWS
QUOTE OF THE DAY
AUSTRALIAN NURSES TRIUMPH IN NURSE-TO-PATIENT RATIOS
PETITION FOR MORTGAGE REFORM
If you are having difficulty reading this version of NurseLine or accessing the links, go to www.minurses.org.
BREAKING NEWS
A new bill allowing legal immigants who are not permanent residents to have driver's licenses and ID cards has passed both the House and the Senate as of yesterday. It is expected to be signed by the Governor as early as today. For more information, click here.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR "TO DO" LIST!
Every time you have been reminded about the Michigan Nurses MARCH! in NurseLine, this thought happens: "I really need to register" and then something else comes up to distract you. Make today the day that you check registering for the MARCH! off your "to do" list! Take the easy way and register on-line today! From the legislative hearing to the march to the Capitol to visiting with legislators, Wednesday, March 12 is going to be a full day of political activism that you do not want to miss. For more information on Michigan Nurses MARCH!, click here.
HAZARD PLAN NEEDS YOUR REVIEW
If you have not reviewed the Michigan Department of Community Health's (MDCH) All Hazard Plan and commented using the on-line survey and blog, the deadline to do so is fast approaching. The Plan is available in the News section of the Michigan Health Alert Network (MIHAN) or click here for the Executive Summary, survey and blog. The survey will only be available until February 24, 2008. If you haven't already commented, please take a moment to visit the website today!
FLU NEWS
From the Michigan Department of Community Health: Michigan flu activity has reached widespread level. Relative to previous years' experience it appears this is likely to indicate seasonal peaking. Sentinel physician data for MI shows flu-like illness visits are about 5.0% statewide with the highest increasing trends in the SW region (10.0%) and the Central region (4.9%). The MDCH laboratory has confirmed 120 influenza isolates so far during the 2007-08 season: A/H3N2 (100), A/H1N1 (3), B (12), subtype pending (5). The CDC suggests the current flu vaccine is well-matched to the main circulating H1N1 strain and should have a measure of cross-protection against the H3N2 Brisbane (drifted) strain, but is less effective against the B/Yamagata lineage viruses. LHD's and medical providers are reminded to please report any congregate setting outbreaks, potential pediatric influenza deaths or unusually severe influenza cases. Vaccination is still strongly encouraged and vaccine remains available.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"We're not going to solve this problem by whacking the bejeebies out of Medicare."
Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus
This week, members of Congress reacted rather strongly to President Bush's proposed 2M cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. For an interesting short article on this subject from CongressDaily, click here.
AUSTRALIAN NURSES TRIUMPH IN NURSE-TO-PATIENT RATIOS
The following is the beginning of an excerpt by Suzanne Gordon, John Buchanan and Tanya Bretherton from their new book Safety in Numbers: Nurse Staffing Ratios and the Future of Health Care. The book will be published in April 2008 by Cornell University Press' Culture and Politics of Healthcare Work Series.
As the month of October 2007 came to a close, nurses in the state of Victoria in Australia scored a major victory not only for nurses and patients in Victoria, but all across the globe. On October 24, after a bruising months' long battle with the state Labour Party government, the Victorian nurses managed not only to maintain the most impressive experiment in safe nurse-to-patient ratios in the world but also to win pay raises and improvements in nurse staffing in their public health care system.
This is an excellent article - take the time to read it completely!
PETITION FOR MORTAGE REFORM
Although a 30-day moratorium on foreclosures has been announced by the top mortage lenders, Working America, the community affiliate of the AFL-CIO feels that more needs to be done to stem the epidemic of people losing their homes. A petition in support of several key points is available here. Please add your support!
Be sure to check out the MNA Events Calendar for all upcoming events and activities!