Resolution #1
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF HOSPITALS ADOPTING ESTABLISHED
POLICY AND PROCEDURES FOR HUMAN
TRAFFICKING PATIENTS
SUBMITTED BY:
Georgia Association of Nursing Students
AUTHORS:
Lady Mendez and Kaitlin Chance
WHEREAS,
In 2012, the United States State Department estimated 27 million
people enslaved to human trafficking around the world (US Dept.
of State, 2012, pg. 7); and
WHEREAS,
In 2005 the Federal Bureau of Investigation named Atlanta as one
of 14 cities in the nation for the highest incidence of children used
in prostitution, and Georgia is the first state to develop a
sustainable statewide response to this tragedy ("Commercial sexual
exploitation," 2010, pg. 4); and
WHEREAS,
12,400 men each month in Georgia pay for sex with a young
female, 7,200 of whom end up exploiting an adolescent female
(Schapiro Group, n.d., pg. 1); and
WHEREAS,
Victims face psychological harms such as disassociated ego states,
shame, grief, self-hatred, insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder,
traumatic bonding (a form of coercive control in which the
perpetrator instills in the victim fear as well as gratitude for being
allowed to live) and physical risks including broken bones,
vaginal/anal tearing, sexually transmitted diseases, sterility, and
miscarriages (US Department of Health and Human Services,
2012, pg. 1); and
WHEREAS,
As frontline responders, nurses are often the first health care
professionals to interact with human trafficking victims because of
the brutal nature of the business and are the link between victims
and other service providers (Peters, 2012, pg. 280); and
WHEREAS,
Nurses need to be skilled in identifying victims, providing
appropriate interventions, and working collaboratively with other
agencies to protect victims from further harm (Peters, 2012, pg.
280); and
WHEREAS,
Procedures for nurses on human trafficking should include training
of staff to recognize the signs of human trafficking, provide safety
for patient and staff, differentiate victims of trafficking from
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patients who have experienced other forms of child abuse or
intimate partner violence, referring for follow-up and reporting to
authorities (de Chesnay, 2012, pg. 302); and
WHEREAS,
Nurses can play a role in identifying, intervening, and advocating
for victims of human trafficking as they currently do for patients
that are the victims of other types of violent crimes (McCain, 2011,
pg. 251); therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the Georgia Association of Nursing Student (GANS)
encourage health care providers, hospitals, and emergency
departments to adopt established policy and procedures on human
trafficking; and be it further
RESOLVED,
GANS supports education on human trafficking by hosting
sessions at the annual convention, encouraging nursing curriculum
education on human trafficking policy and procedures, by
dispersing information through publishing and EKG article, fact
sheet, and resources on how to identify and educate at-risk youth;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
GANS encourages constituents to advocate for the vulnerable
population, at risk youth and those currently in the human
trafficking life by attending task force meetings and developing
projects to raise awareness and support for organizations currently
in place to end human trafficking in the state of Georgia; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
that the NSNA send a copy of this resolution to: the American
Nurses Association, the National League of Nursing, the American
Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National Organization for
Associate Degree Nursing, the American Medical Association, the
American Academy of Nursing, the Emergency Nurses
Association, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates
and Practitioners, the Society of Pediatric Nurses, the Georgia
Nurses Association, and all others deemed appropriate by the
NSNA Board of Directors.
2
Resolution # 2
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF GANS DESIGNATION OF THE FIRST
WEEK IN JANUARY 2014 AS AMERICAN RED CROSS
AWARENESS WEEK TO PROMOTE GEORGIA NURSING
STUDENTS' AWARENESS OF AND PARTICIPATION IN
THE MISSION OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
SUBMITTED BY:
Brenau Association of Nursing Students
AUTHORS:
Tara Davis, Abigail Rodriguez, and Charnella Rosas
WHEREAS,
"The American Red Cross (ARC) was granted the sole U.S. federal
government charter in 1900 and again in 1905 to: fulfill the
provisions of the Geneva Convention, provide family
communications and other support to the U.S. military, and to
maintain a system of domestic and international disaster relief,
including its responsibilities with FEMA" (American Red Cross.
(2013).); and
WHEREAS,
An average of more than 9 million people annually are trained in
First Aid, AED and CPR through American Red Cross training
classes (American Red Cross. (2013).).; and
WHEREAS,
In order to provide the 30 million transfused blood components
used each year in the U.S., over 44,000 blood donations are
required per day (American Red Cross. (2006).); and
WHEREAS,
Each pint of donated blood may be made into three lifesaving
blood products (PRBC, plasma, and platelets), and the blood used
in any emergency or transplant situation must be "on the shelves"
prior to the emergency occurring (American National Red Cross.
(2011).) A transplant may take up to 100 donated units of blood
with the average red blood cell transfusion being three pints
(American National Red Cross. (2011).) ; and
WHEREAS,
The American Red Cross receives 80% of all donations through
community blood drives, making the ARC the single largest blood
supplier in the United States (American National Red Cross.
(2011).).; and
WHEREAS,
GANS stated mission "to…promote the development of skills that
students will need as responsible and accountable members of the
nursing profession" (Georgia Association of Nursing Students.
(2013).).; and it therefore be
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RESOLVED,
That GANS will promote and foster knowledge of the ARC's
three-part mission and its significance to nursing students; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
To designate the first week in January 2014 as ARC Awareness
Week, challenging GANS members to donate blood in their local
communities to replenish the holiday shortage and encouraging
GANS members to educate their family and friends about the
American Red Cross; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Publications Director will update the GANS website and
our social media presence prior to January 1, 2014 with current
Red Cross information, contacts, and volunteer information as
provided by the Community Director of GANS.
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Resolution # 3
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF
RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USE OF
QUADRIVALENT HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV)
VACCINATION FOR MALES
SUBMITTED BY:
Emory Student Nurses Association
AUTHOR:
Lauren Franke
WHEREAS,
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that
“genital human papillomavirus (HPV0 is the most common
sexually transmitted infection, with approximately 70 million
Americans currently infected and about 14 million people
becoming newly infected each year” (Genital HPV Infection-Fact
Sheet, Centers For Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013);
and
WHEREAS,
though more than 130 HPV genotypes exist, the HPV4 vaccine is
directed against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, with an annual
estimated 7,000 cancers (anal, penile, and oropharyngeal) in males
associated with types 16 and 18, and approximately 250,000 cases
of genital warts in males cause by types 6 and 11 (Thomas & Snell,
2013; Recommendations on the Use of Quadrivalent Human
Papillomavirus Vaccine in M-Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011); and
WHEREAS,
in 2011, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) recommended use of quadrivalent human papillomavirus
vaccine for 1) boys ages 11 or 12 years; 2) males ages 13 through
21 years, who have not initiated or completed the 3-dose series; 3)
men who have sex with men, as well as for immunocompromised
males; and 4) men aged 22 through 26 years who wish to receive
the vaccine (HPV Vaccine Now Recommended for Boys and
Young Men, Medscape, 2012); and
WHEREAS,
despite these recommendations, in 2012, only 6.8% of boys aged
13-17 years received all three recommended doses of HPV vaccine
(2012 National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen, Centers of
Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012); and
WHEREAS,
a 2011 study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded
that “the prophylactic administration of quadrivalent HPV is
efficacious in preventing the development of external genital
lesions association with infection with HPV- 6, 11,16, or 18 in
boys and men 16 to 26 years of age” (Guiliano, et al.,2011); and
5
WHEREAS,
“since 2006, about 57 million doses of HPV vaccine have been
distributed in the U.S., and in the years of HPV vaccine safety
studies and monitoring, no serious safety concerns have been
identified” (Tips and Time-savers for Talking with Parents about
HPV Vaccine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013);
and
WHEREAS,
“a reduction in the incidence of HPV-related disease is likely to be
associated with substantial reduction in the economic burden
associated with HPV-related cancers and genital warts” (Marty,
Roze, Bresse, Largeron, & Smith-Palmer, 2013, p.11); and
WHEREAS,
a combination of factors account for the low vaccine uptake in the
U.S. including “inadequate provider recommendations, issues
regarding provider reimbursement, infrequent use of
reminder/recall systems that would foster completion of the threedose series, and factors such as parental hesitancy, health care
access, and general challenges in vaccine delivery to adolescents”
(Jemal, et al., 2013, p.196); therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS)
encourage it constituents to advocate for increased parental and
provider awareness of the recommendations on HPV Vaccination
for males through education promotion, and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS should publish an article on this topic in the EKG,
if feasible, and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS submit a copy of this resolution to the Georgia
Nurses Association, The American Nurses Association, the
National League for Nursing, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the National
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical
Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, The National Student
Nurses Association, the Georgia Department of Community
Health, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, and all others
deemed appropriate by the GANS Board of Directors
6
Resolution # 4
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS REGARDING
DELAYED PATIENT REACTIONS TO BLOOD
TRANSFUSIONS
SUBMITTED BY:
Kennesaw State University Student Nurses Association
AUTHORS:
Lauren Cedor
WHEREAS,
a total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in
the United States to an approximate five million patients; and
WHEREAS,
"transfusion-related complications can be categorized as acute
which occur within minutes to 24 hours of the transfusion or
delayed which may develop days, months, or even years later"
(Sharma, Sharma, & Tyler, 2013); and
WHEREAS,
research and education on signs and symptoms which indicate an
acute reaction to transfusion are numerous; and
WHEREAS,
one study found that 20 percent of transfusion recipients
experience acute reactions to transfusions with an 11 percent
mortality rate while delayed reactions to transfusions make up
approximately five percent of all transfusion complications
(Kumar, Thapliyal, Coshic, & Chatterjee, 2013) with a 90 percent
mortality rate (Sharma et al., 2013); and
WHEREAS,
"delayed transfusion reactions may occur after the administration
of donor red cells even though they have been shown to be
compatible in cross match tests by the antiglobulin
technique"(Dolatkhah et al., 2013); and
WHEREAS,
when polled, the majority of nurses who routinely administered
blood transfusions were not aware that reactions can manifest days
and weeks post transfusion indicating a gap in knowledge (Adams
et al., 2013) regarding delayed reactions to transfusions, risk
factors related to developing a delayed reaction, symptoms to be
aware of, and nursing interventions to implement when a patient is
at a high risk for or does develop a delayed reaction; and
WHEREAS,
risk factors that increase susceptibility for developing a delayed
reaction include "Hodgkin disease, stem cell transplant, history of
solid tumors treated with cytotoxic drugs, transfusion in premature
infants"(Sharma et al., 2013); and
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WHEREAS,
"symptoms include rash, fever, diarrhea, liver dysfunction, and
pancytopenia occurring one to six weeks after transfusion"(Sharma
et al., 2013); and
WHEREAS,
"gamma irradiation of blood products keeps the donor
lymphocytes from proliferating and can prevent transfusionassociated graft-versus-host disease" in patients who are at high
risk for delayed reactions (Sharma et al., 2013); and
WHEREAS,
immediate treatment "in an intensive care unit and medication to
modulate the immune system, including corticosteroids and high
dose immunoglobulin"(Dolatkhah et al., 2013) and "automated red
blood cell exchanges to replace newly-incompatible red blood cells
with antigen-negative units" have been shown to be an effective
treatment for delayed reactions (Tormey and Stack, 2013);
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the GANS encourage its constituents to become educated
regarding the possibility of delayed reactions to blood transfusions;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS work in collaboration with the American Red Cross
to create and distribute nursing educational materials about patient
risk factors that are related to a delayed transfusion reaction,
symptoms of delayed transfusion reactions, and nursing
interventions that can be implemented when a delayed transfusion
reaction occurs; and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS and its constituents encourage nursing colleges and
universities to teach students about acute and delayed reactions to
transfusions through their curriculum; and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS publish an article on this topic in EKG, if feasible;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS send a copy of this resolution to the American Red
Cross, the American Nurses Association, the National League for
Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the
Georgia Association of Nursing Educators, the American
Association of Critical Care Nurses, the Emergency Nurses
Association, and all others deemed appropriate by the GANS
Board of Directors.
8
Resolution # 5
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASED AWARENESS OF
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020 SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISEASE OBJECTIVES AIMED AT REDUCING
INCIDENCE RATES OF CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS
AND NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE INFECTION AMONG
YOUNG PEOPLE (15-24 YEARS)
SUBMITTED BY:
Nursing Students of Georgia State University
AUTHORS:
Ashley Hampton
WHEREAS,
according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(2012), the two most common reportable infectious diseases in the
Unites States are Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria
gonorrhoeae (NG) respectively (p. 7, 19); and
WHEREAS,
in 2011, nationally reported cases of CT numbered 1,412,791 and
reported cases of NG numbered 321,849. There were 39,829
reported cases of CT and 16,428 reported cases of NG in Georgia
(CDC, 2012, Tables A3, 3, and 19); and
WHEREAS,
the majority of reported cases of CT (62%) and NG (70)% are
documented in 15-24 year olds (CDC, 2013b, p.2); and
WHEREAS,
it is estimated that in the year 2000 alone, healthcare costs
associated with Chlamydia and gonorrhea were a minimum of
$325 million (Datta et al., 2007); and
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are implicated in the etiology of
“cervicitis and urethritis, as well as pelvic inflammatory disease,
ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain and infertility… and can
facilitate HIV infection” (Datta et al., 2007); and
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
complications of Chlamydia and gonorrhea related to pelvic
inflammatory disease and infertility cost up to $1.5 billion annually
(Bowers, 2010, p.246); and
WHEREAS,
Black et al. (2011, introduction and results) report that of the 48%
of sexually active high school students surveyed, “almost 40% did
not use a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse”; and
WHEREAS,
both the Centers for Disease Control and the United States
Preventive Services Task Force recommend that all sexually active
women under 25 years of age are screened for CT at a minimum of
9
yearly, and NG screening for at-risk sexually active women
(Chacko et al., 2010; CDC, 2013, pg.3); and
WHEREAS,
CT and GN are largely asymptomatic and under-diagnosed despite
ongoing efforts at increasing screening efforts, and with no
recommendations regarding when to begin screening, those who
become sexually active at a young age often experience a delay in
testing (Tu et. al, 2009, results).
WHEREAS,
there are no recommendations for straight men of any age (CDC,
2013, p.3). However, there are recommendations for screening for
CT and NG and other sexually transmitted infections for all
sexually active gay men, bisexual men, and other men who have
sex with men (CDC, 2013, p.3); therefore be it
RESOLVED,
that the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS)
encourage it’s constituents to advocate for increased awareness of
Healthy People 2020 objectives regarding reduction in the
proportion of adolescents with CT infections and reduced GN rates
through educational programs and/or any appropriate methods; and
be it further
RESOLVED,
that GANS will work with nursing schools in the state to
encourage the use of resources through student health services,
Planned Parenthood, and community health departments; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS publish an article on this topic in EKG, if feasible;
and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS send a copy of this resolution to ANA, NSNA,
GNA, AMA, GMA, the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and all
others deemed appropriate by the GANS Board of Directors.
10
Resolution #6
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF INITIATIVES TO INCREASE NURSING
STUDENT AWARENESS OF BENEFITS TO
INTEGRATING ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES FOR PAIN
MANAGEMENT TO ENHANCING PATIENT OUTCOMES
SUBMITTED BY:
Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, Atlanta,
Georgia
AUTHORS:
Nina Marinelli & Michael Tekesky (TJ)
WHEREAS
freedom from pain is a basic human right and in a collaborative
effort it is the moral and ethical responsibility of the healthcare
team to manage and relieve patients pain through all available
measures (Wood, 2002); and
WHEREAS
in recognition of this duty, non-pharmacologic methods as a
pharmacological adjunct may be implemented to manage pain at
the source and reduce emotions and anxiety related to pain, thus
increasing comfort, energy and overall quality of life (Wood,
2002); and
WHEREAS
complimentary and alternative therapies (CAT) are commonly
being used to alleviate pain, increase comfort, mood and sense of
control; and relieve dyspnea, anxiety and other common symptoms
in patients with cancer or in hospice as one half of hospice
facilities provide this option in end-of-life care (CDC, 2007); and
WHEREAS
estimates of 41.8% hospice onsite care providers are implementing
CAT options where the following therapies were among the most
prevalent: 71.7% massage, 69.0% support group, 62.2% music
therapy, 58.6% pet therapy, 52.7% guided imagery (CDC, 2007);
and
WHEREAS
reports on adults and children in acute care settings using
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) demonstrate an
increase in the use of acupuncture, deep breathing exercises,
massage, meditation, yoga and naturopathic remedies in adult
patients between 2002 and 2007; and, children of parents who used
CAM were five times as likely to use alternative treatments
(Barnes, Bloom and Nahin, 2007); and
WHEREAS
alternative therapies allow patients to have an active role in their
pain management as part of an interdisciplinary team approach
which focuses on the person holistically, including who they are
11
and how they feel, not simply the pain they are experiencing,
allowing individuals a comprehensive program of assessment,
treatment, and education to regain control of their lives (ACPA
2009); be it further
RESOLVED
that the Georgia Association of Nursing Students (GANS)
demonstrate its commitment to increased awareness of benefits of
integrating alternative therapies as an adjunct to pharmacologic
measures for pain management, particularly in treatment plans of
care for chronic and terminally ill patients by advocating for
access, education, and utilization of such therapies by all students,
faculty, and staff at all educational nursing institutions; and be it
further
RESOLVED
that the GANS provide education to its constituents regarding
integrative pain management therapies at the GANS 2014 Annual
Convention at breakout sessions, if feasible, and be it further
RESOLVED
that the GANS publish an article on this topic in EKG Newsletter
and provide information on their website, if feasible; and be it
further
RESOLVED
that the GANS send a copy of this resolution to the Georgia Nurses
Association, Georgia Association of Nursing Education, National
Student Nurses Association, American Association of Colleges of
Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the National Council
of State Boards of Nursing, American Public Health Association,
American Hospital Association, National Association of Public
Hospitals and Health Systems, United States Department of Health
and Human Services, United States Food and Drug Administration,
and any others deemed appropriate by the GANS Board of
Directors
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Resolution # 7
TOPIC:
IN SUPPORT OF INCREASING EDUCATION AND
AWARENESS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
BLOOD SAMPLES DRAWN BY NURSING STAFF AND
HEMOLYZED LAB SPECIMENS
SUBMITTED BY:
Georgia Regents University Student Nurses' Association
AUTHORS:
Bethany Yost, Lisa Shead, Haley Meharg
WHEREAS,
Considering the benchmark of 2% or lower, established by the
American Society for Clinical Pathology for hemolyzed blood
specimens, studies reveal 3.3% hemolysis from blood draws by
nursing staff and up to 30% of blood specimens received from the
Emergency Department (ED) are hemolyzed and rejected for
testing purposes (Heyer, et al., 2012); and
WHEREAS,
Laboratory test results may be significantly altered and delayed by
a hemolyzed specimen, as this condition influences the accuracy
and reliability of the laboratory test results (Lippi, et al., 2008); and
WHEREAS,
Hemolyzed specimens have a far-reaching impact to include:
delayed and/or incorrect lab results, additional pain and risk of
infection for the patient, increased work load for nursing staff,
increased cost to facility and patient, and strained relationships
between laboratory personnel and nursing staff (Saleem, Mani,
Chadwick, Creanor, & Ayling, 2009); and
WHEREAS,
Sufficient evidence proves that phlebotomy education is necessary
regarding proper technique, equipment, and location of the draw
thereby reducing the number of rejected specimen samples
(McGrath, Rankin, & Schendel, 2012); and
WHEREAS,
Decreasing the need for repeated draws, shortens wait time for
physicians to view results for diagnosis indicating treatment, is
more cost efficient for the institution, and promotes comfort for the
patient (Lippi, Plebani, Di Somma, Cervellin, 2011); and therefore
it be
RESOLVED,
that additional training of evidence-based best practice shall be
provided to nursing staff upon orientation to a new facility and on
a basis of continuing education and provided to nursing students in
their nursing curricula; and be it further
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RESOLVED,
that the additional training be accompanied by a strategic
motivational tool that will encourage nursing staff to incorporate
the evidence-based best practice into their daily tasks and to
promote teamwork and decrease hemolysis rates overall; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS provide education for student nurses and faculty by
either publishing an educational article in the EKG newsletter,
creating an educational tool and fact-sheet regarding this topic, or
offering focus sessions at conventions or conferences to make this
knowledge available in all areas of nursing; and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS will write an article for the EKG and submit a copy
to NSNA Imprint and any other publication or journal that is
appropriate; and be it further
RESOLVED,
that the GANS send a copy of this resolution to NSNA, ANA,
GNA, the Emergency Nurses Association, the American Hospital
Association, the International Honour Society of Nursing (Sigma
Theta Tau), the Governor and Secretary of State for Georgia,
Deans of nursing programs, and all others deemed appropriate by
the GANS Board of Directors.
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