ACEN - the Australian College Of Emergency Nursing provides trauma and paediatric training courses for nurses

The RCNA has released a guideline titled ‘RCNA Social Media Guidelines for Nurses’. This is a useful set of standards that is very useful knowledge of all nurses that use social media websites. It is envisaged that these standards could be applied in a legal disputes.

NSW and WA Health have also developed a live waiting times dashboard internet site for the public. This site that can be publicly accessed and used is an attempt to give public information to these waiting times. It is intended that this will assist in public decision making. It will be with interest to the findings and possible attendance pattern changes following usage of this site.

South Australian Health Department has delivered a world first by introducing an live internet coverage of waiting times across Emergency Departments in South Australia. It will be an interesting story as the system is now implemented. Will this system be accepted and utilised well by patients? What are the systems and resources impact upon usage and attendances to SA Emergency Departments? This world first, it is envisaged, will be rolled out by other states of Australia in the future.

New Zealand’s darkest day is major sadness to all New Zealander’s and Australian’s. It’s major loss of life and severe damage to the city has caused a deep trauma for many. The day will also be remembered by the courage by the Emergency Services and Emergency Department in Christchurch and surrounding areas. The toll being enormous, the recovery is going to be will be long and difficult. ACEN is thinking about all New Zealanders affected by this terrible event.

WA floods, fires and Cyclone, Qld floods and cyclone/ Victorian floods/ NSW floods/, SA heat waves/ NT Cyclone/ Tas Floods. It seemed like no-one was spared in a difficult summer of natural disasters in Australia. Many Emergency Nurses have been affected on a personal and professional level. ACEN would like to wish those affected a swift recovery. ACEN and Australia wished and will thank those many Emergency Nurses that have directly helped people though this crisis. ACEN would like to hear from those of you who have been affected. Please contact us via this site.

The Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare has opened the MyHospital website. Emergency Department Data previously not Public available and accessible can now by found at the My Hospital website. Hospital Emergency Department in Australia can be compared nationally.

ACEN is pleased to announce the course lists for 2011. Check out the venues and date on the courses page. The courses are taught in a variety of urban, rural and remote settings throughout Australia and New Zealand. Contact us for details of how to access a course near you.

ACEN would like to hear from experienced Emergency Nurses in Australia and New Zealand to become TNCC and ENPC Instructors. Instructor Courses will be held in early 2011. Becoming a TNCC and ENPC instructor is a great opportunity. For more information and how to make a formal application please contact us.

New Guidelines for Management of Strokes has been released by the Stroke Foundation. These new guidelines have major changes and have direct implications for Emergency Department management of these patients. These guidelines can be found at strokefoundation.com.au.

The Australian College of Emergency Nursing is delighted to be introducing the International Nursing Journal ‘Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal’ to our membership. The Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal offers an exciting insight into current nursing clinical issues and education. This journal will directly benefit the membership with current clinical updates and research into areas of controversy in emergency nursing. Members will be able to access this electronically through this website. There is also opportunity to contribute to this International Nursing Journal.

Commonwealth and States Agreement on Health (NHHH Agreement) 406kb
Communiqué 20 April 2010 240kb

The Australia Federal Government in a historic agreement with all states except Western Australia has agreed to a new funding arrangement for healthcare in Australia. Emergency Departments throughout Australia will be directly influenced and receive benefit from the new funding arrangements. ACEN will monitor the implications of this new funding arrangement and any new models of care that develop.

Commonwealth and States Agreement on Health (NHHH Agreement) 406kb
Communiqué 20 April 2010 240kb

ACEN is pleased to be involved in discussions with the NSW Nurses Association in relation to adequate staffing of ED in New South Wales. It is anticipated that the staffing model will lead to improved nurse patient ratios. The discussion follow a census recently conducted into all Emergency Departments in New South Wales. It is envisaged that this model with be crucial into the next industrial award negotiations.

The following significant Emergency Nursing Conferences for 2010 will be held..
Emergency Nurses Association ENA Scientific Assembly
23rd – 25th September 2010 in San Antonio Texas.
International Trauma Life Support ITLS International Conference
4th – 6th November 2010 in Reno Nevada

National Institute of Clinical Studies NICS / National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC. The NHMRC through NICS are offering scholarships for nursing research in 2010. Look at the following website for description of eligible research projects for funding. There are a variety of support available to projects see this website for further information.

ENPC arrives in Tasmania and Western Australia. ACEN is pleased to be able to take the ENPC to Hobart, Tasmania 24th and 25th July and Perth, Western Australia 15th and 16th May. These courses can be booked directly through ACEN.

In response to local demand TNCC arrives in South Australia and Tasmania. 2010 ACEN is pleased to take the TNCC to Hobart Tasmania 5th and 6th June and Adelaide South Australia 20th and 22nd March. These courses can be booked directly through ACEN.

ACEN collaborative work with The Australian College of Emergency Medicine and College of Emergency Nursing Australia on pain management in Emergency Department has released this policy statement.

ACEN has collaborated in the release of care bundle is based on the National Stroke Foundation ‘Clinical Guidelines for Acute Stroke Management’, and this has been co-endorsed by the National Stroke Foundation, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, the Australian College of Emergency Nursing and the College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. link..

A Australian National Registration for all Health Care Professionals moves forward with the appointment of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. This board has the responsibility of transfer to an Australian National Registration. It is anticipated that this scheme commences in July 2010. More..

The Federal government has made available H1N1 flu vac for all Healthcare workers. link. It is anticipated that there will be an increased exposure again for frontline healthcare workers during this northern hemisphere winter. Local area infectious diseases and staff health clinics should be contacted for further advice

ACEN Sponsored Research Study is a top ten hit published in Prestigious ‘International Nursing Journal’ for 2008.

Joy Lyneham, Liz Cloughessy and Valmai Martin have had their article Published in the International Emergency Nursing formerly known as Accident and Emergency Nursing in July 2008.

This article Titled ‘Workloads in Australian emergency departments a descriptive study’. This breakthrough study examines workloads of nurses in relationship to patient ratios.

Available on-line through sciencedirect.com
International Emergency Nursing published July 2008

Rosemary Bryant is successful in obtaining the role of President of the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

The election was held at the ICN 24th Quadrennial Congress that was taken place in Durban South Africa June-July 2009.

The council aims to improve healthcare outcome and nursing practice. Based in Geneva Switzerland The council represents 130 countries throughout the world.

To find out more about the ICN refer to the website icn.ch

The Australian College of Emergency Nursing recognises the potential disastrous consequences of this outbreak to affect the Australian population. Precautions to this outbreak have been recognised as important steps to breaking the chain of infection and outbreak.

The following website links are recommended as the Australian Federal and State Government’s Health Department's response to this problem. 

Australian Government. Department of Health and Aging
http://www.flupandemic.gov.au/internet/panflu/publishing.nsf/Content/ahmppi

New South Wales Department of Health
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp

Victorian Government
http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/diseases/swine-influenza

Queensland Government
http://access.health.qld.gov.au/hid/InfectionsandParasites/ViralInfections/swineFlu2009_fs.asp

Western Australia Department of Health
http://www.public.health.wa.gov.au/2/949/2/swine_flu.pm

South Australia Government
http://flu.sa.gov.au/Swineflu.aspx

Northern Territory Department of Health and Families
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_Control/index.aspx

Tasmanian Government
http://www.pandemic.tas.gov.au/

Australian Capital Territory Department of Health http://health.act.gov.au/c/health?a=da&did=10098808&pid=1240874209

A number of scholarships will be offered for Emergency Registered Nurses who are wishing to undertake the TNCC, ENPC, CATN or ITLS programs currently offered by the Australian College of Emergency Nursing Ltd. (Scholarships will cover the cost of the course only, not transport or accommodation costs).

Criteria:

1. Must be a current financial member of ACEN – minimum of 12 months.
2. Be prepared to submit an article on the value of program for Emergency Nurses – what did it do for me?
3. Recommendation letter from supervisor or Board member.

Offered:

1. Full fee – at the discretion of the Board.
2. Part fee – at the discretion of the Board.

Desirable:

Demonstrate an active involvement in ACEN activities eg. Workgroups, book reviewer.

ACEN is calling for suitably qualified and experienced Emergency Nurses to apply to be instructors for the Trauma Nurse Core Course TNCC and Emergency Nursing Paediatric Course ENPC. This is a great opportunity for to progress your practical teaching skills and knowledge teaching these internationally recognized qualifications. Suitable applicants will be required to have a current TNCC or ENPC qualification. Candidates should send a current CV listing educational background, clinical background and teaching experience. Applications should be sent to admin@acen.com.au or in writing to PO Box 598 Toongabbie NSW 2146.

The Australian College of Emergency Nursing would like to acknowledge the devastating loss of life and destruction of lives and property with the recent disasters that have struck both Victoria and Queensland.

Many Emergency nurses have been directly affected and involved in the disaster efforts. We offer our condolences to them and their families. The college applauds the efforts of emergency nurses to help these affected communities. It is times like these that we really do pull together make a difference.

The college recognises that the full extent and scale of the tragedy is yet to be fully realised. The Australian College of Emergency Nursing would like to offer support to any of our nursing colleagues affected directly or indirectly by these disasters. Please feel free to contact us at any time .

The complex extensive investigation into the state of health in NSW has been recently completed and report released. This report is currently in the hands of the NSW Health Department to respond to and formally address the many issues raised.

This far reaching report will impact Emergency Departments in NSW and may have far wider impacts across Australia. The report focuses on the working practices of health and the negative aspects and outcomes of this working environment. Read the report.

A Conceptual Approach to Injury and Illness. CATN 11 is an internationally recognised 2 day course designed to give acute care clinicians the ability to correlate broad physiologic / pathophysiologic processes to specific clinical problems. To be held on the 7th & 8th February 2009 at Parramatta City Motel.

The course teaches a conceptual approach of advanced physiological principles and human responses related to injury and illness. The course utilizes a case study approach and critical decision making skills and combines didactic content with interactive discussions and is presented in a flexible format.

The dates and venues for Australian College of Emergency Nursing courses for 2009 have been released. The 2009 course list covers many parts of urban, and rural and remote Australia. Contact ACEN for a local contact that you can book your place in 2009.

All courses for 2008 are filled and no more booking can be place. Look to the new 2009 list of dates and venues to book your course, local to you.

Update... The closing date for the seminar on the 24th October is approaching. The program is fantastic; there is a great conference bag and a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues in a beautiful location.

We Got Talent- Innovation, Practice and Research Advancing Emergency Care.

ACEN introduces a one day seminar into current topical aspects and innovations in emergency nursing care. This day uses a variety of experts to inform, educate and discuss current and future practice issues. See leaflet for details.

Australasian College of Emergency Medicine ACEM, Melbourne, Sep 12th 2008.

ACEM hosted a one day summit of Emergency Department Clinicians, Nurses and allied professionals to examine the potential solutions of access block and Emergency Department overcrowding that Australasian Emergency Departments currently face. Delegates were gathered from all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand. Various media outlets and political parties were represented.

The day was chaired and facilitated by George Negus. The summit was addressed by The Hon. Nicola Roxon (Federal Minister for Health and Aging of Australia). The morning sessions were lead by Dr Sally McCarthy, Professor Drew Richardson, Professor Daniel Fatovich, Professor Peter Cameron, Professor John Dwyer, Dr David Mountain, and Dr Tony Joseph.

The summit was given early stock from the consumer’s point of view. This focused on patient problems in relation to Emergency Department overcrowding with insightful comments from Lorri Spry. Her family had been subjected the problems of access block and overcrowding. She told the summit first hand how bad it was and how it felt. These thoughts echoed throughout the summit and premised what our goal really was, patient care.

Highlighted was the stunning statistic given the audience by Professor Drew Richardson, that the significant mortality and morbidity of these boarded patients compares this to the road toll statistics. This disastrous statistic drove further discussion during the summit.

Further sessions moved to examine the issues from a research and international perspective attempting to seek successful solutions. The answers that were delivered to the summit from this research were unclear. Discussion concentrated on what had been attempted and what did not work. The United Kingdom 4 hours rule was given some merit and warranted further examination and discussion, which was not undertaken at this summit.

The afternoon had the delegates working in groups on individual solutions to specific access block functional factors. Group answers and ideas closely reflected those previously given by sessional leaders.

The summit concluded that much political work was necessary to highlight the magnitude and gravity of access block and overcrowding to the community and its leaders. Engagement with the rest of the hospital, primary care, and the community is vital in attempting to seek solutions to this problem.

No magic bullet answer was presented by the summit. There is much more work to do.

A more detailed transcript of summit details will be presented at a later date after further analysis of the data presented and the summit report is released by ACEM.

Rosemary Bryant the former Executive Director of the Royal College of Nursing Australia has been appointed to this new position.

The creation of this new position of Chief Nurse is a great opportunity for the nursing voice to be heard at a national political level. This will advance the nursing cause which has always had the patient care as its centre of its focus.

The appointment has already caused media interest and has been widely publised. It is hoped that this interest will continue and the many nursing developements, projects and theories will have renewed energy and focus. more...

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has introduced the Emergency Triage Education Kit ETEK.

This kit was developed collaboratively with The Australian Governments Department of Health and Aging, and Australian colleges of both emergency nursing and medicine and other private industry groups.

This is a comprehensive guide to triage and the Australian standards and guidelines for practice. It uses the Australasian Triage Scale to achieve it outcomes. The document focuses on communication issues, triages basics, mental health triage, rural and remote triage, pain assessment, pregnancy, and medico legal issues.

Most emergency departments should have already received a copy of this manual. Ask your manager for a look at your departments copy.

This kit can be accessed through the Australian Government Department of Health and Aging.
PO Box 9848 Canberra City 2601
Phone (02)62895081

www.health.gov.au

ACEN has proudly introduced the latest updated version of the Trauma Nursing Core Course TNCC to Australian and New Zealand nurses.

This version is an improvement on the previously version of the TNCC that thousands of nurses throughout Australia and New Zealand have been successfully taught.

The TNCC is an internationally recognised course. Originally founded in the United States of America, it is currently being taught in 11 countries internationally. The course is internationally recognised by healthcare employers as being an industry standard for trauma training for nurses. Considered by many as a right of passage for the emergency and trauma nurses.

The TNCC continues to use the mixture of learning styles and frameworks that provide the cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills for nurses to manage traumatic injury. The course utilises self directed learning, lectures, demonstrations and participant skill stations to facilitate learning. These skills will enable trauma nurses to design, manage and co-ordinate care in the work place.

Changes to the program include advances to airway management. This expanded section includes the introduction of the Combitube and Laryngeal mask alternative airways techniques. It highlights the use of rapid sequence induction pharmacology to facilitate intubation.

Since the previous version the world has become a more dangerous place. A world where the civilian population is now potentially subjected to the introduction of terrorism style warfare. The TNCC has addressed these new threats by the introduction of a disaster management section.

The TNCC continues to focus on the ABCDEFGHI mnemonic and model to structure primary and secondary assessments and appropriate care. The course lectures and skill stations use this model of care to provide best practice for traumatic injuries.

The course utilities a systems approach and includes chapters on Brain and Cranial Trauma, Ocular, Maxillofacial, and Neck Trauma, Thoracic Trauma, Abdominal Trauma, Musculoskeletal Trauma, Surface and Burn Trauma, and the Special Populations of Children, Pregnant Women and Older Populations, and Transition of Care.

Skill stations focus on teaching scenarios for students to problem solve and use specific treatments to manage serious trauma. The course emphasises a ‘hands on’ approach. Participants are actively engaged in the physical assessments and interventions appropriate to these teaching scenarios.

Courses can be booked through ACEN to be conducted at any venue throughout Australia or New Zealand. The course is designed to be conducted in a rural remote or urban setting. Small instructor to student ratios gives the student a closer input and instruction.

This program has been endorsed by Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria. APEC Provider 050826150. Attendance attracts 20 CNE points.