BLS NURSE BLOG
NORTH POLE
The North Pole does not have a time zone.
Other than visiting explorers, tourists, and researchers, humans do not live at the North Pole.
People can choose any time zone that is convenient.
ACUITY TOOL
Message from OSNA:
Hello Nurses
We need to work expeditiously to calibrate the Acuity tool. To do this, we need 30 nurses, representing each region of the state. If the process goes as anticipated, it should not take more than 2 hours for each participating nurse. (1 hour to select/enroll students and prepare for the meeting, 1 hour at the meeting). I know this is a busy time of year, but we really need participation.
The process will be as follows:
NOW: Step 1: Participating nurses will consider their experience and select 4 student cases, preferably of varying conditions and acuities. Please consider joining this process and helping to be sure all voices are included!
ASAP: Step 2: Nurses will enroll their de-identified student cases by completing the Acuity Calibration Case Study Enrollment Form. This is a simple form, just asking a few brief questions to include the cases in the spreadsheet we will use to gather data from the discussions. In that form, nurses will also indicate for which discussion sessions they are available. Nurses will only need to attend one session to provide input. Please select 4 students and enroll them ASAP (by Friday), and I will send invitations to meetings over the weekend.
Step 3: Nurses will be invited to a specific session with additional instructions about how the calibration session will work. There is some brief preparation before the meeting (30-40 minutes) which includes using the new version of the tool to score each of the 4 student cases that will be discussed.
Starting December 17th: Step 4: Nurses will attend the sessions and collaborate with other participants, using the updated acuity tool, to evaluate the acuity of their student cases.
Starting after 1/9/2025: Step 5: The data collected about the relative scores of student cases will be analyzed to calibrate the tool.
If nurses participate, we should collect the data we need. We anticipate completing this process in mid-January. Please help with this essential project.
ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
Slide Show from OSNA Mentoring Monday 12-9-24 (good information) – Wendy is working on the recording. I will post the link to the recording when it is up and working.
DEI
FAN and the Holidays
Just a reminder that FAN does not coordinate Christmas/holiday gift needs for families. This has been the case for over 10 years. FAN resources are maxed out prioritizing basic needs (utilities/heat, rent, clothing, hygiene supplies, food, etc). There are many community-based organizations that do support religious or holiday-based requests like Christmas gifts, such as Salvation Army, Giving Plate, etc. Here, here, and here are a few sample resources.
If you have a family seeking support with Christmas gifts or holiday resources: Please refer them to those community-based agencies, not your FAN Advocate.
If you have individuals wanting to donate holiday gifts and toys to families in need: Please refer them to those organizations, who are collecting and distributing toys and holiday donations.
HEALTHY SCHOOLS
Healthy Schools – Annual Report 2023-2024
MEDICAID
RESOURCES
DHS – Deschutes Branch
DHS – Administration
Oregon Respiratory Viral Pathogen Wastewater Monitoring Dashboard (SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, RSV) – flu activity low this week
TIME SHEETS
Please see BLS Nurse Blog 12/2/34 for information on how to complete time/leave sheets.
CALENDAR
| DATE | TIME | EVENT | |
| 12/11/24 | 230-3 | Nurse Meeting | Location: High Desert Middle School Library |
| 12/11/24 | Holiday Nurse Gathering 🎁 | CANCELLED | |
| 12/23/24-1/3/25 | | No School | Winter Break! ❄️ |
| 1/7/25 | 930-1030 | Elementary Nurse Meeting | Microsoft Teams |
| 1/8/25 | 2-330 | Nurse Meeting | TBD |
| 1/14/25 | 930-1030 | Middle School Nurse Meeting | Microsoft Teams |
| 1/20/25 | | No School | Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
| 1/21/25 | 930-1030 | High School Nurse Meeting | Microsoft Teams |
| 1/27/25 | 330-5 | Mentoring Monday(register here) | TBD |
| 1/31/25 | 10-2 | Nurse Training | TBD |
***April “All Nurse” meeting date changed to 4/23. ***