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April 2009 Vol 13, Issue 2
OUR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Our March membership meeting was very successful and extremely productive. We reappointed our secretary and approved our annual budget. The Public Relations and Publications Committee has been busy with coordinating efforts with our sister Chapter in San Francisco called the Bay Area Chapter of Northern California for our (collectively ‘our’) educational and investigating publications that will allow us to advertise free of charge. The Education Committee has been very busy as well. They have worked diligently on our participation in the McGeorge Law School 'Mock Trials', which was this month of April. This should be quite a fun and educational event. Other educational programs this year are The Legal Aspects of Thermography, and Security and The Expert Witness, stay tuned for more info. It was also decided that our Holiday Gathering will be December 5th this year and lastly the dates of our next meetings are June 10, 2009, and September 17, 2009. Please try to attend our meetings, we really want your input and support for those members that work so hard to put together our educationals and gatherings with the intended outcome to be growth of your consulting practice and our local support system for all the new and seasoned veterans.
This month I want to expound on a topic discussed in the last newsletter; listservs. They are very informational and becoming a necessity for peer to peer contact and reliable information. Legal Nurse Consultants, whether they are looking into the field, are brand new or well seasoned communicate on the listserv asking questions and discussing, for instance:
A question was posted: 'I found LNC course material and business growing opportunities listed by the XYZ company. Does anyone know if this is a good offer?'
Responses are generated by the entire group and their experiences with the XYZ company. At times there are some very imporant postings such as: “Do not respond to this web site as I have encountered a problem (usually details of the problem are included); Other input could include opinions such as: This not a legitimate address; or I have removed this person from our listserv list.” with the web site or address being referred to. At other times there may be a flurry of positive comments as to what an excellent site the members have found it to be. The person requesting the information is usually provided with many responses to help them determine whether or not it is a legitimate offer. In the particular instance of the XYZ company, it was well know by the listserv providers as a scammer and the relevant information was put out for all to learn and not just for the person asking the questions. Helpful tips on how to resolve or prevent any complications from a problem web site are frequently provided. All providers of information include their personal contact information so they can be contacted individually.
As our field of Legal Nurse Consulting grows there will, no doubt, be more legitimate as well as illegitimate offers for Legal Nurse Consultants requesting our hard earned monies. Our listservs, put together by respected members of our community, monitored for problems within their listervs as well as within our LNC community, allow acess to all who register and accept the guidelines, can be of help or find help in staying current with legitimate sources of information and services.
So as you can see, we talk about everything. It can be the largest and strongest network support system you will have.
Sincerely,
Melony A. Carlton, MSN, RN
2009 GSAC President
 Special Thanks to Marilyn McDonald who has accepted the position of GSAC-AALNC secretary effective February 11, 2009. This position was left vacant due to unforeseen circumstances and we are grateful to Marilyn for stepping in.
On March 7, 2009 at the Hyatt in Sacramento, Mariann Cosby RN, LNCC, a California Credentialed School Nurse, provided a semi-interactive session with school nurses at the California School Nurses Organization’s 59th Annual State Conference, entitled “School Nursing Malpractice: Are you at risk?”. During the ninety minute concurrent session, Mariann covered the difference between negligence and malpractice, the elements of a malpractice claim, common context of lawsuits against school nurses, how school nurses can decrease the risk of malpractice, and how the standard of care is determined for school nurses. In addition to reviewing the Nursing Practice Act and various portions of the Education Code that applies to school nursing practice, Mariann interspersed the presentation with various school nursing and school health case law. She finished the session with a case study of case in which she served as the expert witness at trial defending the school nurse in 2005: Hinajosa v Los Angeles Unified School District.
Debra Turner and Katherine Wagner attended a class titled: Reevaluating Your Business at the Sacramento Law Library on 4/14/09. In this presentation they learned tips and techniques from a Greater Sacramento Small Business Development Center consultant on how to reevaluate your business during a downturn economy. Topics will included current business conditions; understanding why quantifying and qualifying a business is important; technology trends; and the necessity of getting out of your comfort zone to survive. The class was and excellent source of information assisting in growing their own consulting business and a nice environment for networking opportunity.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS – 2009 |
GSAC-AALNC COMMITTEES |
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Executive Committee: |
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Ruth Swiggum |
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President |
Melony Carlton |
Chairperson: |
Muffy Ratto |
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President Elect |
Marilyn McDonald |
Holiday Party
Chairperson: |
Anne Noder |
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Past President |
Ruth Swiggum |
Membership
Chairperson: |
Tracy Albee |
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Secretary |
Marilyn McDonald |
Nominations
Chairperson: |
Marge Patzer |
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Treasurer |
Muffy Ratto |
Public Relations
Chairperson: |
Teresa R. Cox |
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Publications:
Newsletter Editor:
Web Spinner: |
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Teresa R. Cox |
Policy and Procedure
Chairperson: |
Marilyn McDonald |
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Education
Chairperson: |
Debi Turner |
 Welcome Newest Members!
Active Members:
Jean Mittlestead: pnkbanshee@aol.com
Please feel free to go to our Members listing and learn more about all our members.
PAST EVENTS:
Hello All, wasn't Jan 13th great??? We got a lot of positive comments. Thanks to all who participated as speakers, they did an excellent job. Special thanks to our guest speaker Kari Bricker for introducing McGeorge School of Law and their Mock Trial program. I am sure we will have lots of volunteers for this excellent opportunity. Melony A. Carlton, RN, MSN
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UPCOMING GSAC -AALNC EVENTS:
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Dinner and Educational
at
Holiday Inn Capital Plaza |
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6:00 pm-8:00 pm |
300 J Street |
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A GSAC meeting will follow this presentation at
8-9:00 pm |
Sacramento, CA
(916) 446-0100 |
Legal Applications of Advanced Medical Thermography.
Dr. Ward Joiner, BA, BS, DC
Martin E. Stivers II CPT, CLET
Medical thermal imaging is the use of highly sensitive infrared cameras in a temperature controlled environment to produce images of the human body without x-rays, pain or contact with a patient’s skin.
Dr. Joiner endorses and utilizes advanced medical thermography as another simple, proven and non-invasive technology that provides early detection of subtle chemical and nervous system irregularities, including abnormal blood vessel activity and abnormal tissue growth.
Martin Stivers II is a Certified Professional Thermographer at Thermal Imaging Consultants, LTD. with offices in Reno and Sparks NV. He also performs thermography services for Dr. Joiner at Granite Bay Holistic Health Center in Granite Bay, CA.
Objectives: Upon completion of this program, the Registered Nurse will be able to:
1) Define Advanced Medical Thermograpy and Qualifications needed
2) List 3 types of cases where Advanced Medical Thermography is used to confirm physical conditions and/or identify malingering.
3) List 3 instances where Advanced Medical Thermography would apply in Legal Applications.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # 9660 for 2 contact hours
Sacramento Area (GSAC) and Bay Area Chapter (BACNC) Members: $49.00
Non-members/ Guests: $59.00
Go to: http://www.gsac-aalnc.org/Pages/MemberEvents.aspx. Under upcoming events click on 6.10.09 event: Legal Applications of Advance3d Medical Thermography and follow the instructions to acquire the flyer and dinner options to send in with your payment.
Send RSVP with payment to: GSAC-AALNC, P.O. Box 660011 Sacramento, CA 95866-0011
DEADLINE: Postmarked or Paypal by June 1, 2009. A charge of $5.00 will be added as a late fee for registrations occurring after the deadline. Space is limited to 50, please RSVP early!
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Other meeting dates and educationals:
September 17, 2009
The Expert Witness, Depositions, and trials
Ken Braunstein CSC, Licensed Security Consultant and Expert Witness
Holiday Inn Capital Plaza
Sacramento
Watch our website for more details:
http://www.gsac-aalnc.org/Pages/MemberEvents.aspx
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2010 AALNC Conference
Pittsburgh, PA
By Tracy Albee, AALNC Board of Director
 
MORE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
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Bay Area Chapter
May 16, 2009
"Long Term Care Facility CA Surveys: Both Sides"
Pam Sharkey, RN, MHA, Director of Nurses at San Francisco Towers
Steve Marks, RN, LNC Surveyor
$50 for BACNC members $60 for non-members**
*RSVP required by 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 13th 2009*
*Please note: Late reservations will be accepted but we cannot guarantee meals *
For questions, call the BACNC toll-free number, 1-877-LGLNRSE (545-6773)
September 17, 2009
“LNCs and Copyright Laws”
Darlene Dozier, Esq.
Dozier Internet Law, P.C.
HOTEL 480
480 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-8900
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Orange County Chapter
May 27, 2009
Issues and Trends for the LNC in 2009
Agnes Grogan
Claudette Varanko
Mezzanine at the Towers
19800 MacArthur Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92612
949-724-1066
Accepting Registrations Now!
July 25, 2009
Case: Inception to Completion
Agnes Grogan
Karen Baggett
Claudette Varanko
Mezzanine at the Towers
19800 MacArthur Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92612
949-724-1066
September 23, 2009
Business Start-Up, Ethics & the Psychology to Being a Successful LNC
Mezzanine at the Towers
19800 MacArthur Blvd.
Irvine, CA 92612
949-724-1066
For more information and registration: www.aalnc-orangecounty.org/calendar.htm
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San Diego Chapter
May 21, 2009
Scott P. Leary, M.D.
Failed Spinal Fusions
Location: Sharp Spectrum
8695 Spectrum Center Court
San Diego, CA 92123
For more information: www.aalncsandiego.org/education.html |
What’s happening today:
Recalls:
 March 24, 2009
Watson Announces a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Propafenone HCL Tablets Due to Oversized Tablets (March 23)
Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:41:00 -0500
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced that one lot of Propafenone HCL 225 mg Tablets sold in 100 count bottles in the United States is being voluntarily recalled to the consumer level as a precautionary measure. The lot is being recalled because some tablets may contain slightly higher levels of the active ingredient than specified. The recalled tablets were manufactured by Watson Laboratories, Inc. The affected lot of Propafenone HCL tablets was shipped to customers between October 15, 2008 and November 26, 2008. No other strengths or lots were affected and the Company does not anticipate any product shortages as a result of this recall.
March 31, 2009
Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd. Announces a Nationwide Voluntary Recall of All Lots of Digoxin Tablets Due to Size Variability (March 31)
Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:42:00 -0500
Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd., a generic pharmaceutical company, announced today that all tablets of Caraco brand Digoxin, USP, 0.125 mg, and Digoxin, USP, 0.25 mg, distributed prior to March 31, 2009, which are not expired and are within the expiration date of September, 2011, are being voluntarily recalled to the consumer level. The tablets are being recalled because they may differ in size and therefore could have more or less of the active ingredient, digoxin. The recalled tablets were manufactured by Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories, Ltd.
All recall information gathered from http://www.fda.gov/cder/
Product Approvals:
For more information please visit http://www.fda.gov/cder/whatsnew.htm
Medicare & Medicaid Informational tid-bits!
 Nursing Homes – Launching of Five Star Rating System on the Nursing Home Compare Website
On December 18, 2008 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will unveil the "Five Star Quality Rating System" on Nursing Home Compare. Nursing homes will receive an Overall Rating that is based on facility performance on three types of performance measures: Health Inspections, Staffing, and Quality Measures. Nursing Home Compare will also display the star ratings for each of the three performance measures alongside the Overall Rating. Nursing homes with five stars are considered to have much above average quality and nursing homes with one star are considered to have quality much below average.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/Downloads/SCLetter0917.pdf
Stay tuned for a new feature: IRS tips and info for the small business owner.
AALNC General Information
Tracy Albee, AALNC Director at Large
Membership Benefits:
- Health Insurance options: Whether you’re self-employed, work for someone else or own a business or staffing agency, the Nurses Service Organization (NSO) is pleased to offer an array of quality insurance products designed to fit your needs. NSO has partnered with eHealthInsurance, the nation’s #1 online source for health insurance, to help you find the right plan. Whether you’re looking for standard individual and family, short-term, or small business coverage, you can get free quotes from the nation’s top health insurance companies, compare plan rates and benefits apply for coverage online. For more information please visit http://www.nso.com/personal-insurance/ regarding the benefits you can receive as an AALNC member through NSO today!
- e-Communities – hopefully you have already had the opportunity to view and utilize AALNC’s membership benefit, e-communities. As an AALNC member, you have the ability to “subscribe” to the Members Only community and more. Within these communities you will be able to participate in various Discussion Forums, such as AALNC Member Community; Becoming an LNC; LNCC Prep Package Group; and LNCCs only, by posting and responding to messages and downloading information. When you login to your e-Communities page on our website, it should be listed just below the Becoming An LNC community. If you do not see this in your record, email info@aalnc.org and ask to be added to this community.
- Please remember, all Active and Associate chapter members must be national members of AALNC.
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Bookstore
· The AALNC Online Bookstore is an excellent source for legal nurse consulting publications.
· Product of the month: Growing Your Practice: Resources & Tools for the Legal Nurse Consultant (Business Forms) and is just $45 for members only!
This business resource contains 55 samples of business forms, contracts, and guidelines used by successful LNCs and business owners. Service contracts, interview forms, small business forms, case screening forms, and more. The perfect complement for the LNC who is starting an independent business or business partnership! (http://www.aalnc.org/edupro/profresources/landing.cfm
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Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting
- Are you looking for a way to share your knowledge and experiences in a published format? Consider The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting in your editorial endeavors. For submission guidelines, topic ideas, and other information, contact Journal Management at JLNC@aalnc.org. The Journal welcomes submissions from all practitioners – please advise your non-member colleagues that they are welcome to submit!
- Remember that, as a member, you can view The Journal as a .pdf within the “Members Only” section of www.aalnc.org. Issues are posted when they mail, so you don’t have to wait by your mailbox! Additionally, archived issues of the journal can be downloaded from the Members Only section of the website.
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| Educational opportunities
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Newsletter
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Certification
- The fall 2009 nationwide testing date will soon be announced! Exam sites listed at: www.aalnc.org/lncc/exam/examsandfees.cfm
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Information about LNCC certification can be found at www.lnccertified.org. The LNCC Practice Test is available for purchase via the AALNC online bookstore or by calling AALNC Headquarters at 877/402-2562.
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Each LNCC® will now receive a wallet card verifying their certification once they have passed the exam. All currently certified LNCCs should have received these cards in the mail. Those who passed the Spring exams will receive their wallet card and other certification materials within 2 weeks.
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Links of the Month
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Miscellaneous
Helpful websites:
An interesting website with case studies, algorithms, cancer screening guidelines and more.
http://www.rmf. harvard.edu/ high-risk- areas/diagnosis/ case-studies/ index.aspx
JCAHO or Joint Commission as they are now referred to, has released the 2009 National Patient Safety Goals. They can be found in their entirety at the following hyperlink:
http://www.jointcom mission.org/ PatientSafety/ NationalPatientS afetyGoals/
GSAC-BRN number
GSAC’s BRN number is available for $25.00 per class session for those who are in need of offering contact hours for their instructional event.
Please remember our GSAC Members when you are in need for assistance with your cases, as many are just starting out and will appreciate the business.
Educational opportunity for GSAC chapter members:
GSAC has available for continuing education credits a home study course courtesy of Medical Legal Adventures. This legal case study is for use by GSAC members on an individual basis. Contact Kim Digardi if interested @ ddigardi@sbcglobal.net
Next newsletter due July 1, 2009. See you then. Teresa R. Cox, BSN, RN, Editor.
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