Did You Know? offers a quick look at the broad scope of activities underway within the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Federation of members and partners, highlighting recent accomplishments and new resources related to standardization.
NCSBN Launches New Website on the Nurse Licensure Compact
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has launched a website promoting awareness of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). The NLC is a proposed system that allows nurses to provide care across the country without having to obtain additional state-specific licenses.
The website offers information for those who wish to learn about the NLC or support its adoption. Readers can see statistics about support of the NLC, the fiscal impact on states joining the NLC, and frequently asked questions about the initiative.
Visit the NCSBN's Nurse Licensure Compact website here.
AAMI Participates in Patient Safety Campaign in National Media
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, recently participated in a patient safety campaign through its AAMI Foundation. The campaign educated healthcare providers and the public about how to decrease risks and eradicate preventable deaths.
A special supplement in USA Today highlighted the campaign to bring awareness to its cause nationwide. AAMI Foundation program director Sarah Lombardi authored an article in the supplement, "When Opiod Use Foes Unmonitored, We All Feel the Pain," that detailed how the integration of clinical knowledge with continuous monitoring can help providers detect opiod-related respiratory depression before it occurs.
AAMI Foundation executive director Marilyn Neder Flack also contributed an article to the campaign that was published online. Her work, "Measuring Hospital Care by the Decibel," outlined the risks of alarm fatigue, which occurs when clinicians are desensitized to important alarms due to excessive signals from medical devices in their environment.
Learn more and access the articles in the AAMI news item.
NFPA Quiz Raises Awareness and Knowledge of Fire Sprinklers
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an ANSI member and audited designator, has updated its quiz on home fire sprinklers and sprinkler requirements. Released by the association's Fire Sprinkler Initiative, the quiz evaluates public knowledge of the topic while providing test-takers with key facts on home fire sprinklers.
To test your knowledge on fire sprinklers, take the quiz here.
NEII Tells Readers How to React in a Stalled Elevator
The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII), an ANSI member, has published a guideline of the safest way to react in the event of a stalled elevator. The safety rules include:
Press the "Door Open" button first. If the door opens, step out slowly and proceed with caution.
Use the phone system or alarm button, which may say "HELP" or "ALARM." This will send a signal, including your exact location, to trained personnel.
Stay calm and wait for help. There is enough air circulating for passengers to breathe safely.
Do not attempt to open the doors manually or exit the elevator unless it has returned to a landing and the doors have opened automatically.
Read more about each tip on the NEII website.