ITNS E-Update
March 6, 2008
CMV Infection in Transplant Recipients: Clinical Cases and Expert Opinion
Dear Colleagues:
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT). Despite significant progress in elucidating the pathophysiology of CMV infection in transplant recipients, diagnostic and therapeutic challenges remain.
The online, self-study program entitled CMV Infection in Transplant Recipients: Clinical Cases and Expert Opinion is designed to assist physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other infectious disease specialists in understanding how to prevent and treat CMV disease.
To access this online activity,
please log on to www.RMEI.com/CMV053
Sincerely,
Sherri Kramer, MD
Director, Medical Affairs
Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC
This program is jointly sponsored by Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine, and is supported by an educational grant from ViroPharma Incorporated. It is accredited for physicians, pharmacists, and registered nurses.
ITNS to change CE Nursing Providers
Attention all ITNS Chapter Leaders / CE program planners!
ITNS is now in the process of changing CE nursing providers. Since December 2008, AACN has gotten out of the CEU providership arena. After review of possible provider options for ITNS, the BOD and CE coordinator has evaluated and will be obtaining a providership first through the Ohio Nurses Association and then by mid 2010 be one of the providers for ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center) which is under the direction and guidance of ANA (American Nurses Association). ABTC certification remains the same for CEPTC credits but additional speaker documentation is required.
The process for applying for nursing CEUs has changed and will require additional information / forms to be filled out in order to process your chapter’s educational program for both nursing CEUs and CEPTCs. The new required information will be updated to the ITNS web site within the next several weeks. But, until then, you can inquire by contacting the ITNS CE
coordinator, Vicky Shieck, RN, BSN, CCTN at 734-615-4013 or by email vickys@umich.edu. You MUST have all applications into the CE coordinator at least five weeks prior to the meeting in order for the nursing CE's to be processed.
CE Providers have changed. Required forms and documentation have changed. Deadlines are more rigorous and must be met. Contact Vickys@umich.edu for new forms.
MYMedSchedule an APPLE Pick of the Week
The MyMedSchedule application for the IPhone was recently selected by the people at APPLE a “Staff Pick” of the week. The MyMedSchedule was selected from among thousands of applications submitted to APPLE weekly. This application could be an effective adherence mechanism available on all smart phones soon. You can view it featured on http://www.apple.com/webapps/productivity/mymedschedulemobile.html
Core Curriculum to be translated into Chinese
The publisher of ITNS’ Core Curriculum for Transplant Nurses has approved a contract to translate the book into Chinese. Foreign language translations are done at the request of the publisher’s local sales office in response to a perceived market in that country. In this case, the office in mainland China has requested the translation. ITNS does not have information on the publication date but will receive some copies once it is complete.
Participate in this year’s Transplant Nurses Day Essay Contest
Once again, the ITNS Transplant Nurses Day celebration will include the Transplant Nurses Day essay contest to help recognize the valuable role that transplant nurses play in the lives of their patients. The theme of this year’s essay is “What I’ve Learned from My Transplant Nurse”.
As with last year, this contest is special because there will be TWO winners—the nurse who is nominated and the patient who writes the essay. The winning patient receives publication of the essay in the Spring 2009 issue of the ITNS Newsletter. In addition, ITNS may use portions of the essay in other formats such as press releases, the web site and other marketing materials. The featured nurse will receive $100 cash and $100 to apply toward attending any ITNS-sponsored event or for ITNS store items.
Any transplant patient who was previously or is currently under the care of an ITNS member is eligible to enter. The essay must be 300-500 of the patient’s own words. The deadline for submission is Monday, March 30, 2009.
** Please Note: The nominated nurse MUST be a current ITNS Member.
Celebrate Transplant Nurses Day in Style- Order Your Kit Today!
This year’s Transplant Nurses Day—April 15—is fast-approaching so it’s time to start planning those celebrations. Let ITNS help kick off your festivities with a Transplant Nurses Day kit which includes plates, napkins, nail/pedicure kits, posters, stickers and buttons as well as Transplant Experience t-shirts, tote bags and hand sanitizer.
Register Now for the Next Clinical Transplant Review Course
If you are thinking of taking the transplant certification exam, don’t do it without first taking our course! The next Clinical Certification Review Course takes place on April 25-27, 2009 at the Portland Embassy Suites Downtown in Portland, Oregon, USA. Room rates for course participants have been set at a very affordable $159 single/double. Check our web site for more information and registration.
NOTE: Hotel registration deadline to receive the group rate at the Portland Embassy Suites is March 21. Please make your reservations prior to this date.
ANNA Core Curriculum books Available
ITNS has a very limited number of ANNA 5th Edition Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing available to ITNS members at a price of $85 plus shipping. Non-members need to pay the retail price of $105 plus shipping. Each book weighs about five lbs. and ITNS will charge shipping based on regular UPS rates with insurance. If you are interested, please call ITNS at 412-343-4867 to order. The books are available on a first-come; first-served basis.
World Kidney Day March 12
About 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it. Could you be one of them? Three simple tests can determine whether or not you have kidney disease…so please make World Kidney Day, March 12, the day you decide to find out. Love your kidneys and visit the World Kidney Day web site at http://www.worldkidneyday.org
Help Celebrate Certified Nurses Day – March 19th
Certified Nurses Day™ is a special day of recognition to celebrate the contribution of board certified nurses to the advancement of nursing professionalism and to higher standards and better outcomes in patient health. The recognition is endorsed by scores of professional organizations. To learn more about how you can help celebrate Certified Nurses Day, visit http://www.certifiednursesday.org
“Joie de Vivre- The Joy of Transplant Nursing” is Set for September
Plan to join your ITNS colleagues this coming September in Montréal for what is sure to be an exciting Annual Symposium with international flair. “Joie de Vivre- The Joy of Transplant Nursing” takes place September 24-26 at the Hilton Montréal Bonaventure. As always, our workshops and abstract presentations will highlight timely issues relevant to transplant professionals from staff nurses to researchers and managers. Our 2009 Symposium Co-chairs Kathy Schwab RN, BSN, CCTC and Sandy Cupples RN, PhD extend a warm invitation to each of you to join them in Montréal.
More than 85 abstracts have been submitted for presentation at the Symposium this year. Rates at the Hilton Bonaventure Montréal are very reasonable - $179 CAD or approximately $155 USD. The Symposium registration fee remains the same as past years at $450 USD.
ITNS Offers Free Nursing Lectures, CEUs during ATC
Once again, the ITNS Nursing Lecture Series will take place during this year’s American Transplant Congress in Boston May 31- June 2. The ITNS Lectures are offered on all three days from 12:30- 2 at the Boston Sheraton. Admission is free and CEUs will be given. Transplant Nurses can stop by the ITNS booth in the ATC exhibit hall to pick up a complete schedule.
ITNS members stopping by the ITNS booth at ATC will receive an exclusive member gift. Please insure that you have your membership card/number with you and that your membership is up-to-date.
ITNS Exhibiting At UNOS Management Forum
Stop by booth #5 at the UNOS Management Forum taking place April 22-24, 2009 in Seattle. Reaching out to transplant administrators to let them know the benefits of ITNS membership for them and their staff is a key initiative for ITNS. Discount coupons with a value of $75 off any remaining ITNS educational program in 2009 will be distributed.
|
