Since this is my last message as your state council president, I have elected to highlight some of the Ohio State Council ENA (OSCENA) successes from the last two years.

My 2^nd strategic goal for the 2005-06 term was to reconnect Ohio’s 10 chapters so that they would be listed as good standing with ENA and maintain their charter. This goal was much more of a struggle. As of January 2005, only six chapters were in good standing. After frequent communications with the last known officers for the inactive chapters, officer information was updated. By December 2005, 9 of the 10 chapters were in good standing with ENA. Only 1 chapter remained inactive and had been so for over 3 years. A commitment was made by OSCENA to work with the Seagate chapter to coordinate officer elections. I mailed ballots to all Seagate chapter members with a ballot of volunteer officers. I presented the election results on March 22, 2006 at Flowers Hospital in Toledo. Since that time, the Seagate chapter has not only maintained their active chapter status, their president reports they plan to begin monthly meetings. As of today all 10 of Ohio’s chapters are in good standing with ENA.

My 3^rd strategic goal for the 2005-06 term was to work with the OSCENA webmaster to update the web page and keep it current. By July 2005, the OSCENA hired a new webmaster and updates were being made within a week of the request. The new webmaster is currently working on adding a secured page to the website for the Board of Directors minutes and financial information.

Marie Garrison (Greater Cincinnati Chapter) in an effort to "give back to the membership" proposed a CEN grant program to reimburse members after they successfully pass the CEN exam. Since the induction of the program in 2005 nearly 20 members have been reimbursed through the grant. The OSCENA Executive Board has elected to continue this valuable member program.

ENPC underwent a revision during the summer of 2005. This required statewide training sessions coordinated by Connie Dishon (Greater Miami Valley Chapter) and Nancie Bechtel (Central Ohio Chapter). While some ENPC instructors chose not to renew their instructor status following the program change, ENPC remains an essential source of pediatric trauma, triage, and medical nursing care in Ohio.

Each year the OSCENA holds an annual educational symposium at the Aladdin Shrine Center in Columbus (at Easton). The popularity of the symposium is evident as the number of attendees continues to grow. For the last two years Deborah Schwytzer (Greater Cincinnati Chapter), Dee Hart, and Connie Dishon offered ENPC and TNCC instructor courses as a pre-conference option. This year (2006) an EKG interpretation pre-conference course was also offered and well attended.

This year OSCENA Board of Directors began what I hope to be an annual event during General Assembly. OSCENA hosted a dinner get together in San Antonio. Our original hopes were that 10-15 members would meet for dinner since communications for the event were at the last minute. The afternoon of the meeting I emailed all first time Ohio attendees to Scientific Assembly. By that evening approximately 45 Ohio ENA members were celebrating together along San Antonio’s River Walk. A special thanks to Nancie Bechtel and Connie Dishon for picking such an excellent restaurant for the night’s event. Watch for information on the 2007 evening event in Salt Lake City.

The OSCENA has also been active in government affairs. Representing the OSCENA, I communicated with the Ohio Medical Transportation Board in 2005 as an advocate for automated external defibrillators (AED) to be required for all basic EMT level ambulances. This is now a requirement under the transportation rules. In 2006, I drafted and mailed a letter to Ohio representatives advocating the passage of Ohio House Bill 95. If passed, this bill would have strengthened the penalties against perpetrators of violence against healthcare workers including emergency nurses. Currently, this bill sits with the Ohio Senate and will need to be reintroduced next year when the Ohio Congress resumes their legislative activities.

Thank You!

I wish to think the officers that served on the OSCENA Board of Directors and Executive Board over the last two years. Their advice and input has proved to be invaluable. The committee chairs also deserve a special thank you for their added roles in meeting the needs of the members and the mission of the state council. Finally, I wish to thank the chapter presidents for their tireless work to serve their chapters and communicate with the Board of Directors on a regular basis. I wish everyone continued success as Deborah Schwytzer serves as our state president for 2007 to 2008.

Gordon Lee Gillespie, MSN, RN, APRN,BC, CEN, CCRN

Ohio State Council

Emergency Nurses Association

Gordon welcomed everyone and had them introduce themselves. Minutes were reviewed and passed with a few corrections. Treasurers’ report – Connie – we made some money on our investments will be buying a printer and preparing the budget.

CHAPTER REPORTS –

Greater Akron Area – Dee/Rhonda – reviewed the recent Symposium that was a success, starting our own website, and had a TNCC that was a success. Rhonda listed upcoming TNCCs in the area, starting Round table discussions at meetings with input from all members on a given topic, last meeting discussed Medication reconciliation. This was well received.

Central Ohio – Nicole - Dinner at Lindy’s for Emergency Nurses Week – baskets to area hospitals, planning meeting for the next year by officers, Had a dinner to honor Nancy Eckle and gave a donation to LOOP in her honor.

Cleveland – Carol K. – last meeting in Sept. Speaker ‘When violence erupts’ – by Clarence Moore next meeting Dec. for holiday celebration and meeting, attendance not as good as before. Two more TNCCs scheduled – Dec 9 East Clev. and Dec 2-3 Elyria, total 5 for ENA and 3 at Metro. Desiring a CEN review course. At every meeting they raffle off a membership and at some local educational offerings too – have completed 5 this year.

Eastern OH – Betsy N. - TNCC Oct 26-27 that was full (16) election in Oct. with a CE offering. Dec. will be a short meeting and gift exchange with party, have officers set up for next year.

Greater Cincinnati – Debbie – next meeting Dec. 14 at Middletown Regional Hospital with speaker, TNCC course coming at University Jan 24-25, and Bethesda North in December. Elected officers, had "Pamper the nurse day" for Emergency Nurses Day that was well attended.

Greater Miami Valley – Rhonda – Last meeting was at Grandview Hospital on October 4, with a short educational presentation on Reading EKGs. An ENA membership drawing was held in Celebration of Emergency Nurses Week. Boxes were placed in 18 area hospital ED’s asking for staff to enter for free memberships. A total of 155 entries were received. Five (5) names were selected and will receive a free membership for 1 year. Winners are Julienne Van Clave – Children’s in Dayton, Andi McCoy – Mercy Medial Springfield, Sheila Voisard – Greenville, Ghana Smith – Good Samaritan Dayton and Kelly Shuherk – Children’s in Dayton. All 5 are new members to ENA.

Our last meeting will be December 6^th at Taggart’s on the Square in Troy, OH. This will be our Christmas meeting and we will hold our 2007 Officer elections then. Flyers were sent out on Nov. 3^rd inviting all members to attend. Please RSVP by December 1s to Rhonda Sanvido.

Heart of Ohio – Still having trouble getting officers for next year.

Lakeshore – NR

Seagate – Toby – emailed Gordon, having about 20 attendees along with the Board members. Looking at having meetings every other month and not just quarterly.

Southern OH - NR

ELECTIONS – Marie Garrison – Marie reviewed, we will have non interested members talley results, Report…..Secretary – Dee Hart, Director-at-large - Nicole Nutter.

2007 Officers – President - Debbie Schwytzer, Immediate Past- President – Gordon Gillespie, Treasurer – Connie Dishon, Secretary – Dee Hart and the current Directors Liz, Deb Z. and now Nicole Nutter.

ACEP – NR

IAFN – Deb Zang – recent meeting in Cincinnati last Thursday – since Attorney General change - setting up a meeting to obtain funding for kits. Symposium in Oct. with over 80 attendees.

EMS Board – Vickie Graymire – appointed by the Governor to replace Kathy H - legislation will be signed soon to clarify who will be on a run for flight services, it must include a critical care nurse and/or physician. Other legislative news – a bill also passed that identified that the EMS Board can re-structure the regions in Ohio. This will be decided soon. More news later….

Trauma Committee – (TRAS – Trauma Registry) get data for research from this area - There has been no recent meeting.

OSTNC – meeting today for officers – next general meeting is December.

ONA/Ohio Nurses Day (OND) – conference-call 2 weeks ago with information on new appointments to the OBN, Ohio Nurses Day flyers to come out in mid December with on-line registration Dec. 1 – Nicole reported on recent planning meeting for OND – we need to determine what issues we want to support and prepare information and a fact sheet to deliver at the time via panel discussion. Ohio Teen driver Coalition – Debbie discussed bill for graduated drivers and she will attend a meeting for this.

Trauma - Dee and Connie – meeting following this one for planning and discussion of issues. Late note: meeting discussed accepting application for a new DICE, having TNCC Instructor Courses [one in spring in Cincinnati, one in Toledo area and one for State council symposium]. No news on exact date for TNCC update release.

Communication – Dee and Gordon – Dee reported on newsletters, get any chapter information to Gordon to be posted also any corrections. Next deadline for submission of information for newsletter - November 24. Newsletters will be posted on the web only, until spring issue that will be hard copy.

Education – Debbie – Symposium is in the planning stages, speakers being obtained. Speaker from National for opening lecture and Debbie reviewed the plans. Will try to provide free memberships as give-a way as we did last year – this was a great hit. Planning ENPC/TNCC instructor course as a pre-session, maybe will have another topic. At Shriner’s in Columbus April 11-12, 2007. Received another TNCC grant from National – planning on using this to help update instructors later in the fall.

Finance – Debbie Schwytzer – Doing SOPs.

Government Affairs – Liz – NR

Nursing Practice – NR

Membership – Marie – 1060 members at end of October, most chapters increasing. Greater Akron area largest increase. (See list)- National will be assigning new members to chapters via their zip code, problem may be the boarder areas – People need to try to mark application with chapter code they want to belong to. We feel National should have a list so people can choose which chapter if they are joining on line.

ENCARE - Dixie – NR, information has been forwarded to her, not sure if she has had opportunity to tabulate.

CEN Grants – Marie – 11 were received and 9 approved (for reimbursed funds of $1820 total) and two incomplete applications, Marie suggest next year we have two times of year people can be reimbursed, but year will be Nov 1- Oct. 31.

HB 98 – Gordon – reviewed where this issue is – it may have to be reintroduced in the next legislative setting. (Violence against health care workers in the hospital setting – last bill only addressed EMS,etc.)

ENAF Silent Auction – Marie – reported on our jewelry donation.

2007 meeting dates –

January 20 (snow date January 27)

March 24 (? Conference call)

June 23

August 25

November 10

ACEP Office

3510 Snouffer Road Columbus,OH

Free vendor booths for nonprofits – Nancie asked that we consider this for a certain group (OMRC) at our Symposium – discussion. Gordon will get back to Nancie that we would allow all non-profit groups to share a table and they must pay for their own lunch.

State Achievement Awards – Debbie reviewed this [introduced from National, but too late for us to complete and mail this year] and plans to review and work on the next year and apply for a ‘dry run’ at the end of next year- everyone should review and complete what you can and bring back to the next meeting. (See attachment) She reviewed items that we may need to change some of our practices to meet the criteria, and this also involves the chapters.

2007 Officer Elections – see above

Open Forum –

Motion to adjourn – Deb Zang.

Respectfully Submitted,

Dee Hart, R.N. BSN, CEN

Secretary

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE STATE TRAUMA COMMITTEE, NOVEMBER 8, 2006

1) There has been a significant increase in helicopter crashes in the past five years, often associated with inclement weather. The State EMS Board is considering supporting a resolution of the National Association of State EMS Officials regarding "helicopter shopping."  The resolution is to go to the FAA.  At issue is that sometimes when helicopters are called to transport patients between centers or from a scene, the helicopter program denies the run due to inclement weather and associated unsafe flying conditions.  The caller then calls another or other helicopter programs without disclosing that a previous company has had to deny the run due to the weather concern.  The proposed resolution allows the subsequent calls for a helicopter to be made (because inclement weather in one area may not be a problem for another area depending on the direction a storm is moving), but requires that the caller disclose that a previous helicopter program or programs has denied the run due to a weather-related hazard.  The reason that I am sharing this is because other state professional agencies such as the ACS Ohio Committee on Trauma, ACEP, the Ohio Society of Trauma Nurses and OSCENA may be asked to support this resolution.  Keep in mind that I am not the State EMS Board rep for OSCENA, but this report was given by the EMS Board rep to the State Trauma Committee (for which I am the OSCENA rep).   

2) 2) Previously the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Division of EMS term for where hospital trauma and EMS run databases exist was the "EMS Data Center." The name for this department is being changed to the "Office of Research and Analysis."  Anyone in Ohio can request population-based trauma data from this department.  

3) The State Trauma Committee is studying geriatric trauma data to determine if separate trauma triage criteria needs to be established for geriatric trauma patients.  One interesting finding is that patients > 70 years of age who fall and sustain a traumatic brain injury are twice as likely to die as non-geriatric patients.  The compilation of data will be forwarded to the EMS Board for review at their annual retreat in January (2007) for a decision about geriatric trauma triage criteria. 

4) The State Trauma Committee is discussing a study to assess whether there is a link between transfer times of trauma patients from acute care hospitals to trauma centers and those patients’ outcomes.  

5) John Crow, MD (Akron), was elected to serve as the State Trauma Committee Chairperson, and Kathy Haley was elected to serve as Vice-Chair.  

6) Currently there are two data advisory committees to ODPS/EMS (known as "TRAS" and "IRSAC").  With the maturation of the state’s trauma databases, the EMS Board will consider restructuring these into one new research committee.  

7) The next State Trauma Committee meeting is January 10, 2007 at 10 am at ODPS, 1970 West Broad St.  All meetings are open to the public.   

Nancie Bechtel
Central Ohio Trauma System
431 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone (614) 240-7419, ext 6 / Fax (614) 240-7416

Members-at-Large

Nicole Nutter

Liz Pulley

Deb Zang

Greater Akron Area 110

Greater Cleveland Area 130

Seagate 99

Eastern OH 49

Greater Miami Valley 165

Central Ohio 170

Greater Cincinnati 203

Lakeshore 60

Southern Ohio 21

Heart of OH 52

From our Friend Jeanne Bryner,RN, CEN -

There is a new book available from Kent State University Press,2006