A Community to Advance Excellence in Long Term Care Nursing
Press Releases
American Association for Long Term Care Nursing joins the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) as a Collaborating Organization Council Member
Baltimore, MD. January 27, 2010, — The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) announces an important relationship with the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) as a Collaborating Organization Council (COC) member.
“We’re excited about our new relationship with NPUAP as a Collaborating Organization Council Member and the opportunity we have to share and support NPUAP in achieving their mission. AALTCN shares the same commitment as NPUAP in the prevention and management of pressure sores. Through our collaboration with NPUAP we will provide an opportunity for our members to receive resources and support from one of health care’s leading authorities on wound care education,” said Charlotte Eliopoulos, RN, PhD. Executive Director of AALTCN. “Working together with an organization like NPUAP supports our mission of enhancing competencies of LTC nursing staff.” AALTCN is unique in that membership is for the entire nursing department rather than an individual discipline. Education is provided to support the learning objectives at each level of caregivers. “AALTCN continually strives to bring state of the art technology, products, services and education to our members to improve their professional development and ability to care for their residents,” added Ron Romano RN, AALTCN’s Director of Professional Relations.
NPUAP President Dr. Laura Edsberg said, “We are excited to have AALTCN join the NPUAP. The AALTCN has a significant role in the education of LTC nursing staff. Central to the mission of the NPUAP is education, and this new partnership provides an ideal opportunity for both organizations to provide state of the art information relative to the treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers to LTC nursing staff and ultimately the best care possible for patients.”
About NPUAP (www.NPUAP.org) Formed in 1988, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and management of pressure ulcers. NPUAP serves as the authoritative voice for improved patient outcomes in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment through public policy, education and research. The Board of Directors is comprised of leading authorities representing various disciplines, including medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, nutrition, biomedical engineering, research and education. To learn more about pressure ulcers and NPUAP, please visit www.npuap.org
American Association for Long Term Care Nursing to serve on The Joint Commission's Long Term Care Accreditation Professional Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC)
Baltimore, MD. January 27, 2010 — The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) has been invited to serve on The Joint Commission Long Term Care Accreditation Professional Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC). The Joint Commission is recognized as the leading accrediting body in establishing standards for our nations acute care hospitals, and also offers a voluntary accreditation process for long term care facilities. Only a minority of nursing homes have been accredited through the more stringent standards of The Joint Commission. “We believe that nursing homes that voluntarily strive to achieve performance that exceeds basic regulatory requirements are demonstrating a significant commitment to high quality care," said Charlotte Eliopoulos, Executive Director of AALTCN, "and we’re excited to represent long term care nursing in The Commission's efforts."
Ron Romano RN, AALTCN Director of Professional Relations, has been appointed as AALTCN's representative on the Long Term Care (PTAC). "I am excited at the opportunity to represent long term care nursing in this Commission activity," states Romano. "AALTCN believes that all long term care nurses must continually strive to reach the highest possible professional standards in the provision of care for patients and residents, serving on this PTAC is consistent with AALTCN's mission and goals,” he adds.
About The Joint Commission (www.jointcommission.org) An independent, not-for-profit organization, The Joint Commission accredits and certifies more than 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.
American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) and the Wound Care Education Institute offer members diverse professional development opportunities through new alliance.
Baltimore, MD. October 29, 2009, - The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) and the Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) announced a unique collaboration to promote professional development for nurses and quality care for our residents.
"We're excited about joining forces with the WCEI and providing an opportunity for our members to receive resources and support from one of health care's leading wound care educators," said Charlotte Eliopoulos, Executive Director of AALTCN. "Collaborating with an organization like WCEI supports our mission of enhancing competencies of LTC nursing staff." AALTCN is unique in that membership is for the entire nursing department rather than an individual discipline. Education is provided to support the learning objectives at each level of caregivers. "AALTCN continually strives to bring state of the art technology, products, services and education to our members to improve their professional development and ability to care for their residents," added Ron Romano RN, Director of Professional Relations.
"This represents a unique opportunity to educate a diverse group of clinicians and therapists in Long Term Care facilities in wound care," said Nancy Morgan, co-founder of WCEI. "There is a unique culture and philosophy shared by both organizations that we hope will support the goal of reducing the incident and prevalence rate of pressure ulcers in LTC facilities." WCEI is the only approved course for the WCC® (Wound Care Certified), administered by the NAWC®, National Alliance of Wound Care®. The WCC credential is NCCA accredited. "WCEI continues to offer the best possible education in Wound Care with an emphasis on up-to-date best clinical practices. We are excited to be working with the AALTCN in support of their mission for their members," added Mike Grivas, VP of Business Development.
Members of both AALTCN and WCEI will enjoy the benefits of networking and sharing diverse education that will benefit each of them in their health care profession.
AALTCN Partners with The College Network to Promote Educational Opportunities
INDIANAPOLIS, August 21, 2009 – The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) is partnering with The College Network™ to help its members enhance their skills and scope of practice through continued education. The College Network’s online degree completion programs will enable AALTCN members to advance their education at their own pace from the convenience of home—saving them time, travel, and money.
“We are excited that nurses who want to achieve higher education can do so in a manner that is compatible with the realities of their work and family commitments,” offered AALTCN’s Executive Director Charlotte Eliopoulos. “Our membership represents nurses who have demonstrated a commitment to their specialty, and to afford them the opportunity to obtain college degrees in a flexible, convenient manner honors their unique capacities as adult learners and assists in retaining them in long term care nursing.” Read More
American Association for Long Term Care Nursing Joins FMDA, FL-ASCP, ACHCA, and FGS to Collaborate on Unique Annual Geriatrics Conference
West Palm Beach, Fla. - Florida Medical Directors Association (FMDA) President John Potomski Jr., DO, CMD, is pleased to announce that the American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) has agreed to join the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (FL-ASCP), American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA), Florida Geriatrics Society (FGS), and FMDA in collaborating on "Best Care Practices in the Geriatrics Continuum (BCP)," Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2009, at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Read More
Nursing Challenges Support Association Guest Editorial by Charlotte Eliopoulos, RN, MPH, ND, PhD in Long Term Living Magazine
"Do we really need another nursing association?" this question is raised occasionally as the number of long-term care (LTC) nursing association proliferates. And, although there is reason for concern, new associations could reflect recognition of the increased complexity, specialization , and maturity of the profession. Read More
National Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) and the American Society for Consultant Pharmacist (ASCP) announce a unique National Conference for LTC Healthcare Professionals
Baltimore, MD. January 29, 2009 — The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) and the American Society for Consultant Pharmacist (ASCP) announced a unique national conference to bring healthcare professionals together in collaboration to promote quality care for our Seniors. The ASCP Midyear Conference and the AALTCN National Conference will take place May 7-9 at the Walt Disney World Dolphin in Orlando, Florida. Read More
AALTCN Part of Coalition to Urge Passage of Economic Stimulus Bill to Boost LTC Workforce
National Front Line Caregiver Coalition Urges Swift Passage of Economic Stimulus Bill to Help Protect Seniors, Boost LTC Workforce, Strengthen U.S. Economy Urges Sen. Daschle to Ensure Long Term Care Included in Broader 2009 Health Reform Package
Joplin, MO – Saying the care of America’s seniors and the strength of the national long-term care workforce are at stake in the ongoing debate surrounding a final economic stimulus package, the Coalition to Protect Senior Care today said the long term care sector is a significant contributor to the economic health of communities nationwide, and its stability is vital to stimulate needed economic growth and new jobs. Read More
Holistic Nursing Fosters Culture Change
Nurses have a long history of assisting with the needs of the whole person--body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach to care is integral to enhancing the quality of residents' lives and supportive of the principles of culture change.In a recent article on Honoring the Whole Person: The culture change movement shines new light on holistic long-term carein Advance for Long Term Care Management, AALTCN's Executive Director Charlotte Eliopoulos discusses the differences between the holistic and biomedical models and reviews core assumptions in holistic nursing care. To read the full article visit http://long-term-care.advanceweb.com/Editorial/Content/Editorial.aspx?CC=190721
AALTCN Part of Expert Panel on Nurses’ Role in Culture Change
AALTCN was one of the representatives of the nation’s leading long-term care, aging, and nursing organizations who gathered in New York on October 27–28, 2008, in a groundbreaking Expert Panel meeting on nurses’ role in improving the quality of life and person-directed care in long-term care settings.The “culture-change” meeting was convened by the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, NYU College of Nursing in collaboration with the Coalition of Geriatric Nursing Organizations (CGNO), a coalition of eight geriatric nursing organizations, and the Pioneer Network, the premier organization that is fostering cultural change in nursing homes.Its purpose was to identify opportunities and barriers to nurses’ involvement in culture change initiatives, advance the science of culture change, and to draft a White Paper delineating nurses’ role as clinical leaders in culture change.Read More
Released in Provider Magazine AALTCN Launches Culture Change Nurse Coordinator Certification
The culture change movement is sweeping nursing homes and there are many fine culture change models that homes can adopt. However, sometimes readiness, cost, and other factors prohibit nursing homes from implementing these models. Despite the constraints, many homes want to introduce the principles and practices of culture change to their staff to plant the seeds for transformation. AALTCN is please to offer a new resource to assist nursing homes in their journey to culture change.
The Culture Change Nurse Coordinator Manual is now available along with a study guide to prepare nurses for certification in this area. AALTCN views the Culture Change Nursing Coordinator as a member of the nursing home who champions and guides the efforts for culture change. This "in-house culture change resource" bridges knowledge into practice and helps the interdisciplinary team members understand and implement culture change principles and practices.
The program offers an understanding of the culture change movement, strategies for empowering staff, tips for implementing Best Practices, measures to foster resident-directed care, and much more. This independent study program provide 24 contact hours and CCNC-C Certification.
American Association for Long Term Care Nursing Joins Forces with the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) to Support Design-Driven DVT Awareness Month
This year’s program uses fashion and fun to convey vital messages about reducing the risk of a condition whose complications kill more Americans annually than breast cancer and AIDS combined
MARCH 5, 2008 – American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) today announced its support of and participation in the Coalition to Prevent DVT’s fifth annual National DVT Awareness Month. This year’s program, DVT Awareness by Design, will employ elements including developing educational programs to boost awareness of this serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Read More
Golden Living Joins the American Association for Long Term Care Nursing
FORT SMITH, Ark., Dec. 18, 2007 - Golden Living announced that it will provide membership in the American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) to all of its 331 skilled nursing facilities. Benefits of membership will be extended to the entire nursing department at each of the company's LivingCenters. Read More
American Association for Long Term Care Nursing Establishes Partnership with Clinical Resources, LLC
AALTCN partners with Clinical Resources, LLC, to provide membership and educational opportunities for interim personnel and consultants in Skilled Nursing, Assisted Living Facilities and CCRC’s nationwide. Read More
