ITNS E-Update
May 27, 2009

Survey (Request for Participation)

Dear Sir / Madam,

Organ transplantation has increased the last decades and new developments in the medical technology have considerably increased the survival rate. Although organ transplantation is successful, the care after transplantation differs by transplant center. For instance, the protective measures applied after transplantation to prevent infection. Unfortunately, there are no state-of-the-art guidelines available on protective procedures after organ transplantation. Moreover, with the upcoming new immunosuppressive agent and antibiotics, the question arises whether all these measures are, indeed, necessary and efficient. Therefore, we started this research project to examine the isolation measures that are applied by health care workers in patients after organ transplantation. For the purpose of this project, we developed a questionnaire based on the literature and expert's experience. May we kindly ask you to participate in this research and fill in this questionnaire? Below you find the link to the electronic survey: http://www.enquetemaken.be/toonenquete.php?id=10486

We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation and are hoping for a positive response.

Kind regards,

Natalie Van den Driessche and Ellen Van Haegenbergh
Master students in Nursing and Midwifery Leuven, Belgium 

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- 2:00 pm 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.  Visit the ITNS booth #623/625 in the ATC Exhibit Hall. Visit Events

ITNS Transplant IQ Series Available July 1

In order to meet ever-increasing requests for more than two Clinical Transplant Certification Review Courses each year, ITNS has developed a DVD component piece to the ITNS' Core Curriculum for Transplant Nurses and its live Clinical Transplant Certification Review Course. 

The ITNS Transplant IQ Series will be available for purchase from ITNS beginning July 1. Because of the economic difficulties being experienced by nurses everywhere, the ITNS Transplant IQ Series was developed to allow the CTCRC to become more accessible to the highest number of nurses in the least costly manner. While individuals can purchase the DVDs as a set or by specific topic, hospitals and transplant centers will find the ITNS Transplant IQ Series to be a tremendous resource for training large numbers of nurses at a low rate per person. Individual viewers will receive CEU and CEPTC credits by taking the IQ post-test included in the supplemental materials with each disc and paying a small fee.

All 16 topic areas covered in the ITNS Certification Review Course are provided by the ITNS Transplant IQ Series. These DVDs will be an excellent resource for studying for your CCTC or CCTN examination.  Each DVD ranges from 30-120 minutes and features a speaker who is an expert in that field. The DVDs are interactive and studio-produced for the exclusive purpose of delivering information to participants in any setting. The IQ Series was developed for all transplant professionals including case managers, social workers, medical, nursing and pharmaceutical students and pharmaceutical representatives. It may be purchased by an individual, for a Nursing Unit, a Medical Library and any hospital seeking the training necessary to obtain Magnet Status.

While the DVDs carry the FBI copyright and cannot be duplicated, multiple nurses can benefit from watching and reviewing these DVDs in a group setting, as many times as necessary.  Hospitals or transplant centers may complement the DVD subject matter by providing their own transplant educators to moderate organized viewing of the topics, thus allowing for questions and interaction.

Our goal is to educate and promote nursing certification for as many transplant nurses and coordinators as we can reach.  Through the ITNS Transplant IQ Series DVD set, we can do just that, in a very cost-effective manner.

Cost is $350 for ITNS members and $500 for non-members. There is a $10 per disc credit fee for CEs and CEPTCs for any individual who watches the DVD, completes the IQ post-test for that subject, and mails their test and check for $10 to ITNS. The Transplant IQ Series is made possible through a grant from Astellas Pharma US. Visit Transplant IQ Series and watch the promotional video.

Brochure for "Joie de Vivre--The Joy of Transplant Nursing" now online

Plan your trip to Montréal this September for the ITNS Annual Symposium.  Join your ITNS colleagues, 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. Featured keynote speakers include Dr. Mary Krugman PhD, RN, FAAN discussing evidence-based practice in transplant nursing, Dr. Roger Evans exploring transplant tourism and Dr. Michael J. Goldstein on defining high risk in adult renal transplantation. 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. Download the ITNS Symposium Full Brochure (1.1MB) including Host Hotel and Travel Info, Symposium details, Exhibitors, SIG Committee Meetings, Agendas, Breakout Sessions, Workshops, Reception details, and Registration Form

ITNS Members Can Attend Italian Symposium Free of Charge

"Transplant Nursing Current Practice, Future Challenges" is set for June 18-19, 2009 in Florence Italy at Convitto Della Calza. This international symposium is free of charge to ITNS members. For more information, Visit the Conference web site at: www.improntesrl.it/florence09

Register Now for the Next CCTN

Columbus, Ohio will serve as the host city for the next ITNS Transplant Certification Review course November 15-17. This three-day workshop will be held at the Columbus Westin conveniently located in the downtown Columbus, close to the airport and accessible to major highways. The course includes a review of all transplanted organs, as well as other issues addressed in the test such as Professional Ethics and Patient Literacy. Download the Clinical Transplant Certification Review Course Brochure, or visit the American Board of Transplant Certification for more information on Transplant Certification Examinations.

ITNS Newsletter Coming in the Mail

The ITNS Newsletter is hot off the presses and will be coming to your mailbox along with a copy of the 2009 ITNS Symposium brochure and other materials.  Look for your copy soon. 

Debbie Zaparoni
International Transplant Nurses Society
412-343-4867