American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
LIAISON REPORT
Date:
July 14-15, 2010
To:
AACN Board of Directors
Justine Medina, Director of Professional Practice & Education
Susan Flynn, Senior Practice Associate
From:
Mary Stahl
AACN
Liaison to:
Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC)
Annual Retreat
ACCP Headquarters, Chicago, IL
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Description of Group and Purpose:
The third annual summer retreat of the leadership of the Critical Care Societies
Collaborative (CCSC) was held on July 15th, 2010 at the headquarter offices of ACCP.
In attendance were the presidents, president-elects, CEOs and selected board and staff
members from each of the four leading critical care societies [American Association of
Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American
Thoracic Society (ATS), and Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)]. Representing
AACN were Kristine Peterson, Beth Hammer, Mary Stahl and Wanda Johanson.
2. Meeting Discussion and Outcomes:
Minutes have not previously been taken at the retreat, but here forward will be the
responsibility of the host society. Kay recently published a summary of the history of the
CCSC. This document will be distributed in lieu of prior minutes.
Critical Care Research Agenda Task Force
A joint task force of the US Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group (USCIITG) and the
CCSC has evaluated the areas where further research is needed in critical care, and
developed an agenda to inform future researchers and other interested parties. A final
draft has been developed, with one key area of concern: the group had been unable to
include a pediatric perspective in this work. A new CCSC steering committee will
develop a broad dissemination plan for this agenda, with a strong desire for
simultaneous publication across the societies’ journals. The dissemination plan should
be submitted to CCSC by January 2011. Tom Ahrens represents AACN in this work.
HHS/CCSC National Awards Program for Achievements in Prevention of Hospital
Acquired Infections
Agreement has been reached between the department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) and CCSC to collaborate on a national awards program, recognizing those who
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Liaison Report
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have demonstrated strong and sustained improvement in the reduction and prevention
of hospital acquired infections. A work group with representatives from each CCSC
member association will further develop the application process so we can begin
seeking applications by September 2010. This group will vet the applicants and
recommend awardees.
CCSC Advocacy
Shared advocacy priorities were identified as end of life care, workforce, comparative
effectiveness, and Tele-ICU. Dialogue included ways to present a shared voice on
these issues in national forums, recognizing that speaking with a unified voice has
greater impact.
Critical Care Roundtable
The group continues to monitor the activities of this industry-sponsored group.
Strategic Thinking
The reason the CCSC initially came together was the strength we have as a group for
advocacy and influence. Accomplishments as a collaborative include the letter to
Obama, response to the issue with the Office for Human Research Projects (OHRP) and
the Keystone project, the Research agenda, Tele-ICU project, and the Committee on
Manpower for Pulmonary and Critical Case Societies (COMPACCS) document. Our
successes have happened where our core values come together. Through discussion of
what we would like to continue to accomplish as a result of this collaborative, we
determined that foundational to this discussion is development of a purpose statement
for the collaborative. The purpose statement will serve as a guiding principle later for the
development of 3-5 year goals. Leadership from each group will contribute to the
creation of this purpose statement, with a goal of finalizing the statement when we meet
at CHEST in October 2010.
CCSC Project Process Evaluation
During the dialogue on Strategic Thinking, the need was identified for metrics to
measure our successes. This discussion can occur after development of the purpose
statement. Our difficulties have come when we think we have common interests but
have differing policies and processes. Despite this, we have grown considerably in our
knowledge of each other and ability to work together.
Potential Collaborative Opportunities
Dialogue addressed the benefit of inviting other society stakeholders to the table. We
determined that there is no pressing need at this time. We will consider these
collaborative opportunities as we formulate future agendas.
Brief Update on Tele-ICU Project
With the benefit of a grant from AHRQ, the CCSC convened a consensus group to
evaluate the current state of evidence on the effectiveness of (virtual) tele-ICUs. The
group determined that the current data is insufficient for us to lobby for reimbursement of
tele-ICU services, and developed a document to drive and inform future researchers.
The dissemination plan for this document is being developed. Mary Pat Aust and Connie
Barden have represented AACN in this.
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Communication Proposal
Reviewed the proposal “Critical Care Communication: An Educational Proposal to
Improve Fellows Communication Skills?” The CCSC will not fund this proposal. After
our purpose statement is agreed upon, the group will consider if funding would be part of
our strategic activities.
CMS Revised Hospital Anesthesia Services Interpretive Guidelines
The CMS Revised Hospital Anesthesia Services Interpretive Guidelines – State
Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix A: Emergency Medication Administration in the
Intensive Care Unit or Emergency Department (12/11/2009) is being interpreted in some
settings in a manner that creates increased risk to patients. CCSC will issue a letter to
CMS identifying the problems and requesting clarification of the guidelines. The
American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and Society of Hospital Medicine
(SHM) will be informed of our efforts.
Meeting evaluation
 The thought questions on the agenda were affirmed as helpful in preparing for the
meeting.
 What went well
o The focus on open ended agenda items which engendered discussion.
o Allowing for brainstorming around topics.
o The opportunity to bring the new people up to speed, this context was helpful
in moving the discussion forward.
 What could we do better
o Having our purpose statement will help focus efforts and move things forward
well in the future.
o CCSC meetings at society meetings are constrained by time. An additional
retreat would be challenging logistically and costly. Defined, prepared
agendas at the ACCP & SCCM meetings can be productive despite the short
time frame.
3. Implications for AACN:
This Collaborative remains an important venue to address multiple topics relevant to
critical care. The strength of speaking with a unified voice enhances our impact on
important issues. Mutual understanding and collaboration continue to advance within
this group, which will facilitate future efforts.
4. Future Meetings:
Next summer – ATS will coordinate the retreat. The CEOs will consider logistics and
costs and will propose a location.