VOLUME XXIV

VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER 3 _

PRESIDENT, DEBBIE SCHWYTZER OHIO STATE COUNCIL. INC. DEE HART, EDITOR

Happy July! It is hard to believe that the summer is half over. I am sure that our facilities are remaining busy with the effects of the heat and summer activities and keeping us busy. Hopefully, we all will have an opportunity however, to enjoy some “fun in the sun” while of course using our SPF 30, wearing our helmets and watching our speed. Your Ohio State Council wants to see many of you in Salt Lake City in September safe and well rested for the National Meeting. Once again, we will be sponsoring a dinner in Salt Lake City to network and meet some new colleagues and to rekindle friendships with old. Watch for further information on this activity.

A reminder also, that the State Council is sponsoring three (3) registration scholarships for the National meeting to encourage members who have not previously attended to see what all the excitement is about. Look on the front page of this website for further details and the application to apply. The deadline is August 1, 2007 and we would like to have many applications.

I recently took a day off and attended a movie about a small creature. This creature had confidence and determination that he could change his destiny and become a famous chef. With a little help from a couple of friends, the appropriate resources and a lot of hard work, he achieved his goal and in essence, changed his world. After watching this movie, I though about all of the ways that even one or a small group of nurses could shape their future and the future of emergency nursing. With the confidence in our knowledge of what we see as needed to provide appropriate and quality care of our clients, the resources available from our workplaces, our professional organization and our peer groups, and the determination to actively participate in the change process, we can change our world. We can accomplish anything that we really want. Look around you. What do you see as areas that need improvement or change? Become active at your facility, your community and in your professional organizations and work on these changes. Hook up with the resources that are available. Whether it is injury prevention (no it will not put us out of our jobs as one of my colleagues said jokingly) or becoming active in legislation to improve access to health care and appropriate use of facilities, we all have a niche and will find that even little creatures can change the world.

Have a safe and prosperous rest of the summer and like that little mouse, set your sights on a goal and GO FOR IT!

Debbie asked for review of the minutes and treasurer’s report. Both were approved.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/CHAPTER REPORTS

Akron – Dee – had a successful spring symposium in May, planning a CEN review in October. Worked with Children’s Hospital on a safe driving initiative in April. Had good attendance at May meeting at a restaurant with speaker on a research project.

Cleveland – Carol – had June meeting nominations for next year with full slate. Speaker on Pediatric shock. Many TNCC courses being planned. Next meeting Sept. having about 20 members with dinner by sponsoring institution and speaker.

Greater Miami Valley – Rhonda – sent letters to 150 members without response except by 2 people.

Central Ohio – Deb Z – meeting had research symposium at Mt. Carmel – looking for ‘fun’ thing to do in July, meeting every other month.

Greater Cincinnati – Gordon – October Symposium being planned for Emergency Nurses Day. December 13 will have Research Poster night at Dave and Busters, election of officers for next year by end of next month.

Seagate –Debbie reviewed message from Toby Kraybill that they are active and we will follow up - having meetings every other month, 15 people attending, many TNCCs. Toby Kraybill is President and redid the info to National – Terry K. is treasurer. Last summer CEN review course.

Update from National – Started State Work group for State Compliance – working on Bylaws parts of National’s that need to be incorporated in State By and addressing the State Logo. Will work on this for 2008. Message about keeping finances under IRS guidelines – State has to report to IRS not each Chapter. National encouraging each state to tighten up activities under the Bylaws and for IRS issues.

5% of Ohio membership voted in the National election. Debbie reported on the new officers for National.

ACEP (American College of Emergency Physicians) – Debbie – have not notified her of meetings. Their President is from Toledo.

EMS Board (Ohio Emergency Medical Services) – Debbie – reviewed the report sent by Vicki. ONA will be submitting her name to Governor for reappointment.

ONA (Ohio Nurses Association) – July 19 meeting here in Columbus – Debbie reviewed that National sent out info and want us to work with ACEP to make sure the new Ohio Bill addressing freestanding sites not be allowed to administer Propofol and Etomidate. OSC ENA has been asked to give input. There are not enough Board certified physicians present at these sites and there have been several deaths because of lack of qualified personnel and appropriate monitoring.

IAFN (International Association of Forensic Nurses) – Deb - coroner speaker last month, updating training manual.

OEMSC (Ohio EMS – Children) – Gordon – this committee is under a grant – are making sure that who needs to be represented is at the table for the meetings. (All Children’s hospitals in Ohio) Gordon working on Pediatric Designate – Ohio Hospital Assoc. being consulted – designate would be awarded to an adult/pediatric hospital that have the qualifications to do basic care for a child on the same level as a pediatric hospital.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Trauma - Dee/Connie – reviewed rollout plans and review of the course, still have 4 Faculty to attend rollout update in Chicago. Will have a meeting at our next State Council meeting to discuss details.

Education – Debbie - discussion at board meeting with suggestions – maybe do hold a one day TNCC Rollout and or do a CEN review next spring. Keeping in Columbus because it is central location. Discussion. Send Debbie suggestions.

Government Affairs – Nicole/Liz – two Bills = HB asked us to testify on plans to have a federally funded health center associated with an ED – patient would come to ED and be referred to the Health Center and the Health Center then becomes their primary care – proponents of this bill wanted to know about how Triage works. Had ENA member represent us at this. Cincinnati trial of this system - people come to ED and are seen by EMD (patient still sent a $100 ED bill) then triaged out to another facility – meets EMTALA. Debbie to meet with Patty Clancy - Ohio House Representative about this issue. The other bill is on Workplace violence and increasing penalty to felony for licensed personnel – does not mention unlicensed personnel who may also work in the ED. HB 98 from last legislative session included group with people in other professions – ie: teaching etc but did not mention nurses. Nicole will continue to follow.

Membership/Delegate - Marie – 15 delegates have applied and been accepted for National General Assembly for the 22 slots we are granted – all corners of state pretty well represented. Housing – Marie reviewed.

Discussion about a supper at National – Gordon to spearhead plans to have the dinner. Cash bar and spouses will be self-pay.

Communication – Dee/Gordon – July 6 deadline for information for next newsletter, the August newsletter will be hard copy. Dee asking for articles.

Nursing practice - Diana Ramsey Guest – NR – will work on conscious sedation information.

Finance – Connie – forms sent to IRS – reviewed CPA report – no news on new IRS guidelines – bought new Quickbooks to use, as this is the program IRS will be working along with. IRS will start making us pay taxes if we can not prove we are not for profit. All Chapters have to put their money in Key Bank so Connie can access reports when we are asked by IRS. Connie reviewed.

National reminded us that OSC is responsible for all funds of all the chapters we need to be able to see – because of IRS. Chapters can still be control of finances – but they have to do all reports through OSC. We need to show we are giving funds back to the members and when IRS looks at this it will be smooth sailing.

Bylaws – Debbie – look for new bylaws posted July 24 on web and will vote on at August meeting. Need to have on web to finalize our update for incorporation.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Scholarships for National – Debbie reviewed – 3 scholarships for members who had never attended a National meeting – write a note why they wanted to attend – new form will be posted to website. Deadline August 1 for early registration – to email application to Deb Zang. We all need to take the information back to our chapters.

State Council Logo – many states asking, National developing guidelines and policy.

Elections – Marie – reported on the slate of members – will vote on at the next meeting. Debbie stressed we need to get our representatives here if possible.

NEW BUSIINESS

State of the Local Chapters/State Council Status Debbie reviewed National encouraging two-tier system in most states. National not able to clearly define how they will support with assistance – either financially or with personnel. The reason to consider this is because there is a lot of our membership not represented or attending OSC meetings and because of lack of Chapter attendance and activity. How do SIGs work – can still carry on activity as usual but finances need to be overviewed by one group (ie:OSC) {because of IRS rules}. Can disband as a chapter and designate as SIG and receive funding for functions from OSC. Have to live by National Bylaws and not their own bylaws as a Chapter. OSC can write rules as how we define the function as a Chapter and how they report to us. SIG can keep own checking accounts but it has to be written into SOP- but greater responsibility for reporting issues to OSC. And OSC takes accountability for the group. In any event management and reporting structure are being pushed to be more aligned with National bylaws and tightened up.

Discussion on how to get information and feedback to that information out to members. This is information about the two-tier system and discussion. No decisions will be made immediately.

On 05/15/2007, the Ohio EMS for Children (EMSC) Committee met in the Columbus offices for the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics. Physician attendees were Dr. Cotton (AAP President) and Dr. Wendy Pomerantz (EMSC Committee chair).

Over 39 EMS and hospital providers have applied for free mannequins that will be distributed by EMSC after Drs. Cotton, Cunningham, and Pomerantz have reviewed the applications. After distributing the mannequins to current applicants, there will still be numerous mannequins available. Hospital EDs are eligible to apply for these. Information can be obtained from Joe Stack at the EMSC office.

EMSC has three performance measures that must be met by each state committee. The three EMSC performance measures were reviewed by the committee: (1) the degree to which the state/territory has ensured the operational capacity to provide pediatric emergency care (four components), (2) the adoption of requirements by the state/territory for pediatric emergency education for the recertification of paramedics, and (3) the degree to which the state/territory has established permanence of EMSC in the state/territory EMS system (four components). The committee discussed the state’s current status and plans to meet each of the measures and components.

Committee membership was reviewed in terms of measure 3a: the establishment of an EMSC Advisory Committee within the state/territory. Required membership includes the state EMS administrator, state EMS medical director, grant principal investigator, EMSC grant coordinator, family representative, highway traffic safety administrator, pediatrician (representing AAP), emergency physician (representing ACEP), emergency nurse (representing ENA), EMT (representing NAEMT), school nurse, EMS data specialist, state trauma manager, and state hospital association representative. The committee also seeks to include representatives from each of the children’s hospitals from within the state. Joe Stack, the EMS grant coordinator, drafted a letter to send to organizations and Toledo children’s hospital to solicit membership attendance.

Meeting plans for 2008 were discussed in addition to the Governor’s requirements for onsite meetings. Dr. Pomerantz suggested that the committee have 4 on-site meetings and 2 teleconferences next year. Joe Stack will check to with the state on feasibility.

A work group was established to develop pediatric ED designations for general/adult EDs. Melanie (EMT representing the NAEMT), Carol (Ohio Hospital Association—OHA), and myself agreed to begin working on this performance measure component. Carol will check with members of the OHA to see if there is an interest for the pediatric designations.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, and is open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please contact me at gillesgl@yahoo.com.

The 80% rule is in effect as of March 8th, for national registry testing for teaching facilities.

The following committees are in place for Air medical , Education, Fire, Grants homeland Security, Medical Oversight and finally Rules.

There may be some rule changes necessary in the future for ERSAC and TRAS committees

The Board plans to work closer with Other organizations in 2007, In February, Stephanie Reed Talked about where the AHA would like to go in their relationship with the State of Ohio EMS. Dr. Cunningham works closely with this group also.

The National EMS Scope of Practice was approved by NHTSA with changes submitted from various people in the state. They did utilize all changes submitted and Dr. C noted it is important for everyone to comment on these proposals to influence change. To note from Dr. C’s letter. “ The delineation of minimum guidelines instead of restrictive ceilings will allow EMS providers and their medical directors to advance the practice of EMS as we continue to become an invaluable facet of medical care and disaster preparedness. “

The EMS website is being used for renewals and overall everyone seems pleased with the change and we should encourage use.

A position statement regarding restraints is now on the website – please review and comment

Mission statement – To promote quality and professionalism in the training, education, and delivery of fire and Emergence Medical Services to the residents and guests of the State Of Ohio.

Vision Statement – The State of Ohio Division of Emergency Medical Services will provide leadership dedicated to reducing morbidity, mortality and property damage.

Nancy Bechtel provided clarification to the Board regarding “barriers to EMS” this was a project grant. The Board appreciated her information.

EMS – C has had discussion about inclusion of pediatrics in disaster preparedness, A summary of the Emergency department survey will be presented at the April Board meeting.

Interested in traveling to Salt Lake City?

Join fellow Ohio ENA members as we attend the National General Assembly in September 2007. Complete the delegate application found on our web site. Have your chapter president sign and send to Marie Garrison by email or snail mail. It must be received by June 1. Questions? Contact Marie at garrisme@healthall.com

Applications are currently being accepted for the Ohio State Council ENA CEN grant. Deadline for the next reimbursement is October 31, 2007. Please note reimbursement is done after documentation of the certification is received. See the web site for details.

National will be assigning anyone who signs up as a new member to a chapter by their zip code. If anyone desires to join a particular chapter they must put that chapter’s code # on their application. They can call later and have it changed.

Don’t Forget our Website:

www.ohioena.org

Visit us often!

Find news on Trauma Courses, newsletter and other great info

Ohio State Council Meetings

Dates for 2007

November 10

Location: ACEP Offices,

Suite 100, 3510 Snouffer Road,

Columbus, OH

Meeting at 10 a.m.

614-792-0349

Deadline for articles to be submitted

to Buckeye Beat for 2007:

September 5

November 24

Send to Dee Hart at deehart185@yahoo.com