ONS Connect - March 2008 - (Page 24)

CarEgivErCarE Take Care of Yourself During Cold and Flu Season [By Kristine B. LeFebvre, MSN, RN, AOCN ®, ONS Education Team Project Manager] H ow often have you said to a patient’s family member, “You won’t be able to care for him if you don’t take care of yourself”? The same is true for oncology nurses and their colleagues. During the cold and flu season, take some precautions to ensure that you stay healthy. As you know, the best way to prevent infection is through good hand washing, especially before eating or when you are working in shared spaces. Using a hand sanitizer when you’re not able to get to a sink also is helpful. Avoid sharing drinks, cups, and silverware, and clean shared items such as telephones. If you do cough or sneeze, turn your head into your sleeve instead of sneezing into your hands. Microbes do not live as long or spread as easily on fabric as they do on your skin. Boost your immune system by eating a well-balanced diet, with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. A multivitamin can help to supplement your nutrition. Regular exercise can help to decrease your stress and add to your overall health. If you do get sick, drink extra fluids and get plenty of rest. Stay away from work or school, and let those around you pitch in to help. A humidifier may help ease cold symptoms, as will warm beverages and soups. ✱ Team Members Needed for New ONS BMT Educational Initiative The ONS Steering Council has recommended the development of a blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) educational initiative. The program will provide oncology nurses with a comprehensive introduction to evidence-based care of patients undergoing BMT and will supply a complete set of resources for use in setting up and enhancing BMT programs. ONS is seeking member volunteers to help develop the program as well as a plan for outcomes measurement of the initiative. Work will begin in April 24 ONS CONNECT 2008, and the program will launch later in 2008. Volunteers will work together with an ONS project manager to design, research, and author the program. Travel to a team meeting at the ONS National Office in Pittsburgh, PA, will be necessary. If you are interested in joining the team, complete a project team application, downloadable from www.ons .org/membership/documents/pdfs/ ProjectTeamApp.pdf. Indicate “BMT Initiative” under special projects. The application deadline is March 31. March 2008 http://www.ons.org/membership/documents/pdfs/ProjectTeamApp.pdf http://www.ons.org/membership/documents/pdfs/ProjectTeamApp.pdf http://www.ons.org/membership/documents/pdfs/ProjectTeamApp.pdf

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ONS Connect - March 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In From Then to Now A Year in the Life—Month Three Web Connect Capitol Connection Notice Nursing Now Recognize Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in Patients With Cancer Caregiver Care Elasticity of Cells May Help Researchers to Identify Cancer Calendar of Events ONS Congress Your Thoughts and Comments Are a Valued Decision-Making Resource Staying On Top

ONS Connect - March 2008

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