Ebola and Project Cure

Over the past months, the tragedy of Ebola can be viewed each evening on our televisions. To date it is estimated that 9000 people in west Africa in the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea have been infected with 4000 having died from the desease. It is estimated that for every four cases there are six that are unreported. 230 health care workers have died in Africa caring for the sick. There is concern that this Ebola epidemic may reach the proportions of the AIDS epidemic if it continues to progress on the current course. Project Cure was founded in 1987 and is the largest provider of medical supplies and equipment to 130 developing countries around the world. Project Cure's headquarters is in southwest Denver. The organization has 17,000 volunteers. They have been given a charity navigator four star rating as well as recognition by Forbes as one of the 20 most efficient large charities in the U.S. 98.3% of their budget goes to programs/donations and .3% to administrative expenses. 1.2% of budget goes to fundraising. Project Cure has contributed supplies to the Ebola crisis with one dozen 40 foot containers worth 4.5 million of PPE. Project Cure is in need of continued supplies and support, especially duct tape to secure gloves to gowns. December 2 is a day of giving for Project Cure and donations will be generously matched with dollars for those who choose to give. Our hospital facility in south Denver regularly donates expired supplies to Project Cure. Because of the current needs, a group of us conducted a thorough sweep of the hospital for any expired supplies to be delivered to the warehouse. The warehouse is huge! It is amazing the number and amount of supplies that they have to distribute to those in need. It is also striking the amount of supplies that the U.S. deems unusable because of a manufacturer expiration date. The obvious question is why is something not good enough to use in the U.S. because it is 'expired product' but it is good enough to use in 130 countries in the world? If you live in Denver, please save your expired supplies for Project Cure! If you have a few extra hours, they need volunteers! A very worthy organization that will fully utilize your donated goods or money!

Update on APN Scope of Practice

There are continued efforts by the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence to advocate for APRN's to practice to the full extent of their license.  Why is this important?

• There is a projected 130,000 shortage of primary care physicians in the year 2025
• In New Mexico this past year there was a shortage of 2306 RN's and 284 APRN's
• In 2012 there were 154,000 APRN's in the U.S and 65,000 are providing primary care

Access to care for rural and inner city populations is at stake.

To date, 19 states in the U.S. have fully independent APRN practice, 19 have reduced practice and 12 have restricted practice requiring supervision by a physician.  100 bills related to scope of practice have been introduced in 22 states between 2011 and 2013.  25% of the bills have passed. 

In October 2014, recommendations were brought forward to amend the Colorado requirements to

6 months of full time or 1000 practice hours with a physician or experienced APRN to gain full prescriptive authority.  

The resulting access to care for Coloradans would have positive impact for vulnerable populations in the state.  This comes at a time when APRN's are growing in number and practicing more independently:

• The ACA of 2010 supports training for APRN's, team based models of care and retail health clinics
• The VA recommended permitting APRN's to practice independently because of physician shortages
• CVS pharmacies currently have 1000 clinics employing 2500 APRN's in the U.S.  They plan for 1500 clinics by 2017
• Target has opened 150 clinics with plans to expand

What can you do?  Join your state nursing association in order to successfully lobby for APRN's to practice to the full scope of their practice in your state!  

A good link to learn more:

http://www.nihcm.org/images/pdf/Meeting-the-demand-for-primary-care-nurse-practitioners-answer-the-call-John-Iglehart-Expert-Voices-10-2014.pdf