Disaster Response, Patient Safety on Agenda at National Emergency Nurses Meeting; 2005 Emergency Nurses Association Annual MeetingSept. 14-17 in Nashville

News Advisory:

As recent events in New Orleans once again emphasize the importance of emergency medical personnel as front line providers of disaster aid, emergency nurses from across the country will gather in Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 14 through 17, to take in the latest approaches to mass casualty response, evaluate ways to improve patient safety, and learn about latest practices and innovations.

“In addition to national disasters and the threat of terrorism, emergency nurses face growing challenges such as the nursing shortage and emergency department crowding that can seriously compromise patient safety,” said Patricia Kunz Howard, PhD, RN, CEN, president of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA), which represents more than 28,000 emergency nurses internationally. “This week in Nashville, emergency nurses will learn specialized skills and management techniques to help them ensure quality patient care in a multitude of emergency settings, including mass casualty incidents. It’s ENA’s goal to revitalize skills, enhance knowledge, and renew dedication to the profession.”

The 35th annual ENA meeting will offer an expanded program featuring workshops and interactive courses on pressing topics such as keeping patients safe in the emergency department, emergency pediatric care, and injury prevention strategies. More than 90 sessions will cover issues ranging from pain management to playground safety.

Particularly timely to this year’s meeting is a presentation addressing emergency department preparedness in the event of a national disaster. “Masters of Disaster – Emergency Nursing Roles in Mass Casualty Disasters,” will offer key strategies on responding to both man-made and naturally occurring incidents of mass casualty, such as Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, “Flight Nursing in the Middle East,” will be presented by a flight nurse who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom and examines the approaches taken to treat unique injuries encountered on these missions.

The 2005 ENA Annual Meeting exhibit hall will feature hundreds of product exhibits showcasing new developments in equipment, technology, and clinical resources for the nation’s emergency rooms, such as emergency medicine software, pain monitoring systems, wheelchairs, examination tables, stethoscopes, and much more.

For more information on the 2005 ENA Annual Meeting, visit the ENA Web site at http://www.ena.org, or call 866-868-6362.

---

Media Note: Journalists interested in attending the ENA Annual Meeting or scheduling an interview with an ENA representative during or after the event should contact Meredith Klein at 847-687-1311.

------

About the Emergency Nurses Association

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) is the only professional nursing association dedicated to defining the future of emergency nursing and emergency care through advocacy, expertise, innovation, and leadership. Founded in 1970, ENA serves as the voice of more than 28,000 members and their patients through research, publications, professional development, injury prevention, and patient education. Additional information is available at ENA’s Web site, at http://www.ena.org.

Contact Information

Meredith Klein

Media Contact

Emergency Nurses Association

Contact via E-mail