On January 8, 2014, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported the first confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus identified in North America. The patient exhibited symptoms while returning from travel to Beijing, China, on December 27, 2013. For more information on this patient’s travel itinerary, please refer to a Public Health Agency of Canada technical briefing at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/media/nr-rp/2014/2014_0108a-eng.php. The patient was hospitalized on January 1, 2014, and subsequently died on January 3, 2014. Investigations by Canadian public health officials are ongoing. Since avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses have only been rarely, and never sustainably, transmitted from person to person, there is a very low risk of subsequent related cases. To date, no cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses have been reported in the United States.

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The state needs to do a better job including nurses on state appointed healthcare-related advisory boards when legislation creates such advisory boards, said Rep. Pamela A. DeLissio during floor debate Tuesday. DeLissio raised the point while debating a bill to create the Patient-Centered Medical Home Advisory Council, HB 1655, but said the overall need is to ensure that nurses are accorded the opportunity to participate in the ever-evolving direction of the health care environment.  Click here to watch Rep. DeLissio’s statement on the House Floor.

The key word is team, and nurses are an integral part of our health care system, said DeLissio, D-Montgomery/Phila. We seem to pretty consistently overlook the role of our nurses, particularly as health care moves forward, and we need to correct that. This legislation allows for many physician categories to participate and includes only one nurse category.

 There’s not an opportunity to [fix] that here on the floor, but I sincerely hope the Senate will correct this oversight, she added with respect to HB 1655.

HB 1655 cleared the House on Tuesday and awaits consideration in the Senate.

PSNA asks that you contact your State Senator and State Representative and explain to them the role you play in patient-centered medical homes and in the changing health care environment. Click here to find your elected officials.

PSNA District 16 and the Lancaster Anti-Trafficking Network presents Freedom Weekend on January 16-18, 2014. Breakout sessions address domestic and international prevention, rescue and restoration efforts. For more information, contact latn.pa@gmail.com.