At the museum...

The Mirror, 1978, lithograph

George Tooker, American, 1920-2011

Columbus Museum of Art

Museum purchase, Derby Funds
from the Phillip J. and Suzanne Schiller
Collection of American Social Commentary Art 1930-1970

George Tooker

Columbus Museum of Art

Schiller Collection

A year-long medication prescription/de-prescription regimen for managing complex partial seizures in a 69 year old woman with Alzheimer's disease.

Between Atul Gawande and the Barbecue

scroll past this guy...

to get to this guy...

Keeping up with Jeanne - our walk with Alzheimer’s

When Jeanne was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment in 2010, she and her husband, Jerry, had to navigate the path from her retirement as professor of nursing to her death in January, 2016. Their initial goal was to enjoy every day together. Their final one was for Jeanne to be safe, comfortable, and content at home, where she could be dignified and loved until she died. This presentation reflects on how they met their goals, and on the people who helped them. 

Jerry Soucy, RN, CHPN is an expert nurse certified in palliative care and hospice. His clinical experience includes critical care, hemodialysis, and care at end of life. He was Jeanne’s primary caregiver through her decline and death. He practices at Death Nurse LLC, based in Concord, MA.

Cartoon Wednesday

Special thanks to everyone at Graphic Medicine and the Center for Cartoon Studies for an outstanding conference!

Two things for Saturday

because you can't say it enough...

and because david bowie is helping me grieve

Tanned, rested and ready. Almost

It's the lamest excuse any blogger can offer. "I've been too busy..." As a former friend once said, "If you really want to do this, quit your day job."

Anywhoozle, I will be back soon on a more regular basis, and have some good stuff to share.

For now, enjoy this cartoon inspired by a recent conversation with a new nursing friend. It can also be used as the punchline in a stand-up bit:

"How does an oncologist know it's time to discontinue chemo? (1-2) When they close the casket!"

Thanks, Jerry

HPNA won't speak out against genocide

What to do:

Call HPNA at 412-787-9301 and let them know how you feel, and urge them to speak out now.

TL;DR version:

The HPNA executive committee has doubled down on a bad decision - namely to let the senior senator from Maine keep the 2018 HPNA Presidential Citation, an award she did not deserve.

They've also decided to NOT follow the American Academy of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, and almost 10% of the nursing organizations who have so far taken a stand against genocide.

In case you think 'genocide' is overstating things:

"Genocide is the deliberate destruction, in whole or in part, by a government or its agents, of a racial, sexual, religious, tribal or political minority. It can involve not only mass murder, but also starvation, forced deportation, and political, economic and biological subjugation. Genocide involves three major components: ideology, technology, and bureaucracy/organization."

Jones, Adam (2006), "Chapter 1: The Origins of Genocide" (PDF), Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction, Routledge/Taylor & Francis Publishers, pp. 15–18, ISBN 0-415-35385-8


Full(er) story:

This is very troubling news for the public, the nursing profession, and especially to nurses working in palliative care and hospice:

Here's the text:

Hi Jerry,

I wanted to follow-up with you. 
The members of HPNA’s executive committee have discussed your concerns and we will not be rescinding the Presidential Citation Award that was given to Senator Susan Collins at the Annual Assembly in March of 2018.

We also discussed and decided that we are not going to release a statement from the organization regarding the ICE policy of separating families at the U.S. border. We use our Public Policy Guiding Principles to guide our public policy positions and actions. I will attach the principles for your review. They are also in the Advocacy section of HPNA’s website.

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me and with HPNA.

Debra Wiegand RN, PhD
HPNA President

---

Here's the text of the "Public Policy Guiding Principles:"

HPNA Public Policy Guiding Principles

HPNA acts independently and with collaborating organizations to address hospice and palliative care issues at the national, state, local and regional levels. HPNA bases its public policy/advocacy positions and actions on the following guiding principles.

1. HPNA asserts that it is the responsibility and obligation of clinicians to address hospice and palliative care public policy and regulatory issues that impact the health related quality of life of patients and caregivers living with serious illness.
2. HPNA takes a leadership and advocacy role to ensure equitable access to comprehensive palliative care as defined by the National Consensus Project Clinical Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, across the life span and illness continuums. HPNA serves on the Steering Committee of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care. HPNA also works collaboratively with other national coalitions.
3. HPNA works independently and collaboratively to promote ethical and competent provision of hospice and palliative care based upon the expressed goals of the patient and family caregivers.
4. HPNA takes a leadership and advocacy role in regulatory issues and public education regarding the legitimate use and appropriate access to medications.
5. HPNA advocates for nursing workforce funding and professional education issues as they impact hospice and palliative care.
6. HPNA advocates for equitable funding for hospice and palliative care research.
7. HPNA supports improved access to comprehensive health care for appropriate management of physical and emotional symptoms that allows patients to achieve the highest quality of life through the relief of suffering in all of its manifestations.

To learn more about HPNA and its current public policy/advocacy efforts, please visit www.hpna.org.

Revised 07/2014 Reviewed 06/2014