PA Developmental Disabilities Nurses Network
Connected Through Caring
Medical/ODP Updates
ODP NEWS:
The Quarterly HCQU Education Coordinators meeting was held 4/8/08, hosted by the South Central HCQU. ODP Nursing Administrator Cheryl McCall RN was in attendance. Cheryl reported the Medication Administration Program will be granted an extension for conversion to the new guidelines. The new conversion date will be the end of the calendar year. Cheryl will be submitting a memo in the very near future to affected providers detailing this new information.
Joyce Young RN, has joined ODP and will be working with Cheryl McCall. Cheryl reported that Joyce will be focusing her expertise in the ICF and State Center arenas, while Cheryl will continue oversite of the Community Based Programs and HCQUs. Welcome Joyce and best of luck in your new position!
Another positive outcome from the above meeting, was the identification of I/DD Nurses' desire for enhanced educational opportunities. To address this issue PADDNN will be providing educational links on our site where free CEUs can be obtained. Additionally, PADDNN, ODP Nursing Administration and the HCQU Educators Group will be working on developing and communicating educational opportunities through updates on the PADDNN website!!! Refer to new EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PAGE.
The Quarterly HCQU Education Coordinators meeting was held 4/8/08, hosted by the South Central HCQU. ODP Nursing Administrator Cheryl McCall RN was in attendance. Cheryl reported the Medication Administration Program will be granted an extension for conversion to the new guidelines. The new conversion date will be the end of the calendar year. Cheryl will be submitting a memo in the very near future to affected providers detailing this new information.
Joyce Young RN, has joined ODP and will be working with Cheryl McCall. Cheryl reported that Joyce will be focusing her expertise in the ICF and State Center arenas, while Cheryl will continue oversite of the Community Based Programs and HCQUs. Welcome Joyce and best of luck in your new position!
Another positive outcome from the above meeting, was the identification of I/DD Nurses' desire for enhanced educational opportunities. To address this issue PADDNN will be providing educational links on our site where free CEUs can be obtained. Additionally, PADDNN, ODP Nursing Administration and the HCQU Educators Group will be working on developing and communicating educational opportunities through updates on the PADDNN website!!! Refer to new EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES PAGE.
Medical Updates:
According to an article released 4/4/4/08 on Medscape Medical News, the drug Tegaserod Maleate (Zelnorm), used in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will only be available for use in emergent situations requiring hospitalization or when life is threatened. This announcement from the FDA notes that the benefit of Zelnorm use, in these special situations must out weigh the risk for utilizing the medication. This change was prompted after clinical analysis of the manufacturer's database indicated an increase in the incidence of MI, CVA and unstable angina in patients receiving this drug therapy.
The manufacturer Novartis, volunteered these changes.
Reference: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/572570
According to an article released 4/4/4/08 on Medscape Medical News, the drug Tegaserod Maleate (Zelnorm), used in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, will only be available for use in emergent situations requiring hospitalization or when life is threatened. This announcement from the FDA notes that the benefit of Zelnorm use, in these special situations must out weigh the risk for utilizing the medication. This change was prompted after clinical analysis of the manufacturer's database indicated an increase in the incidence of MI, CVA and unstable angina in patients receiving this drug therapy.
The manufacturer Novartis, volunteered these changes.
Reference: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/572570
