SGNA News member spotlight,quarter one, 2012

Quarter One 2012
Volume 30
news
Unit Spotlight
Not Just a Team — a Family
Gastroenterology Associates boasts a supportive nursing staff
with a passion for the profession
Gastroenterology
Associates Endoscopy
Manager, Andrea
Raincrow-Chisholm,
MSN BSN RN CGRN
Gastroenterology Associates is a busy
practice located in Olympia, WA — a major
cultural center of the Puget Sound region.
The city’s motto is SPIRIT, an acronym that
stands for Service, People, Integrity, Results,
Innovation and Team.
With a motto like that, Olympia appears to
be the perfect home for Gastroenterology
Associates.
“Our mission is to provide expertise in
the diagnosis, treatment, evaluation and
management of digestive diseases to
the medical community and to provide
the highest quality of care to the patient
population of the south Puget Sound
region,” says Andrea Raincrow-Chisholm,
MSN BSN RN CGRN, Endoscopy Manager at
Gastroenterology Associates. “We have a
strong commitment to provide education
in the topics of digestive diseases to our
community of colleagues, medical trainees,
staff and patients.”
Andrea has worked in the GI field since
1999 and began her career in an acute care
setting at Providence St. Peter Hospital in
Olympia. While there, she worked with three
different GI groups — one of which was
Gastroenterology Associates. When she was
offered a management position to work in
an outpatient setting with Gastroenterology
Associates in 2010, she appreciated both the
opportunity and the challenge.
“The staff at Gastroenterology Associates are
experts in their area, and they have a great
reputation in the community,” Andrea says.
At Gastroenterology Associates, Andrea
found herself leading a team of GI
professionals with a variety of disciplines —
RNs, LPNs and GIAs — who all worked
together to provide the level of care that
bolstered the practice’s stellar reputation.
“What I like most is that we’re all in it
together, and we help each other — I can’t
say it enough about our team,” Andrea says.
“We all understand the importance of each
of our roles and that patient care is the focus,
so we understand how our roles benefit the
patient most.”
Echoing that sentiment, Sarah Trigg, CGRN,
says an important aspect of teamwork
at Gastroenterology Associates is humor
and a deep level of comfort with her
professional colleagues.
“We enjoy each other — we’re like family,”
Sarah says. “I think that extends to our
patient care.”
(From the left) Gastroenterology Associates’
Reschal Edwards-Griffen, Melissa
Mugartegui and Kayla Peterson.
Welcome to 2012!
Will this be the year
you accept the
SGNA call to lead?
See page 2.
A Strong Support System
There are about 35 procedures performed
each day at Gastroenterology Associates,
with patients arriving at 6:45 am and the last
patient discharged around 4:15 pm. Between
those hours, there’s very little downtime, but
the strong staff support system helps keep
operations running smoothly.
Inside
President’s Perspective . . . . . 2
“If someone gets bogged down in one
particular area, another nurse can take over —
it’s a fluid team,” Andrea says. “People jump
in when they see a need. It’s a very fastpaced area.”
Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . 5
Continued on page 3
Editor’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Program Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Product Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Leadership Conference . . . . 10
President’s Perspective
Quarter One 2012 • Volume 30
Visit: www.sgna.org • [email protected]
SGNA News (ISSN 1057-9095) is published
quarterly by the Society of Gastroenterology
Nurses and Associates, Inc., 401 North Michigan
Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-4267; 312/321-5165
or 800/245-SGNA (7462), Web www.sgna.org/
Copyright 2012©SGNA. Fifteen dollars of annual
dues is allotted for a subscription to SGNA News.
Periodicals postage paid at Chicago, IL. Postmaster:
Send address changes to SGNA News, 401 North
Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-4267.
SGNA is an organization of 8,000+ registered
nurses and other healthcare providers functioning
in administrative, clinical, educational and/or
research roles in the management of individuals
with GI health problems.
SGNA News is published to provide association
and industry information for the benefit of its
members. Reference to any company or product
within SGNA News should not be considered
endorsement or approval.
SGNA Mission & Purpose
The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and
Associates, Inc., is a professional organization
of nurses and associates dedicated to the safe
and effective practice of gastroenterology
and endoscopy nursing. SGNA carries out its
mission by advancing the science and practice of
gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing through
education, research, advocacy and collaboration,
and by promoting the professional development of
its members in an atmosphere of mutual support.
SGNA Calls You to Accept
the Challenge to Lead
Leslie E. Stewart, BA RN CGRN, 2011-2012 SGNA President
It is so good to have this
opportunity to be in
touch with you as we
welcome in 2012. I have
been your President
since May 2011, and I
must tell you how
humbled and honored I
am each and every day
to have the privilege to represent you in so
many different ways.
I returned from the Canadian SGNA
Annual Conference in beautiful Ottawa,
Ontario, where I spent a week with our
Canadian sisters and brothers looking at
the challenges facing our specialty today
and in the coming years. Then I flew off to
Stockholm, Sweden, to join the European
Gastroenterology Federation at an
extraordinary meeting of 3,000 GI physicians
and nurses from all over the world sharing
and searching for best practices and their
own unique ways of attaining excellence
in patient care. We are all so different in
customs and culture, and yet not really so
different at all. We all search for quality.
our teams and, unfortunately, to limitations
to patients’ access to healthcare. We are
asked for quality and excellence and yet told
to do more with less. Providing high quality
entwined with efficiency is paramount to our
ability to survive.
SGNA cannot grow or go forward in fear.
We can’t stand still with anxiety and permit
our organization to join a race to the
bottom with those affiliates that are afraid
of change, afraid to invest, afraid to disrupt
the status quo to build changes in the
needs of our specialty and the roles we will
need to be ready to play. This is a turbulent
time, but this is also an extraordinary
time of opportunity. Through ambitious
and constructive planning, SGNA will be
prepared for these coming challenges and
be the recognized leader into the future of
GI nursing.
SGNA will need your commitment and
involvement to make these changes a
reality in practice. We need you to take that
courageous step to “Find the Leader in You
and Make the Choice to Lead.” SGNA will
2011–2012 Officers
President
Leslie E. Stewart, BA RN CGRN
President-Elect
Phyllis Malpas, MA RN CGRN
Secretary
Betty McGinty, MS HSA BS RN CGRN
Treasurer
Jane Harker, MS BSN RN CGRN
Immediate Past President
Peggy Gauthier, MS BSN RN CGRN
Directors
Kimberly Foley, BSN RN CGRN
Lisa Fonkalsrud, BSN RN CGRN
LeaRae Herron-Rice, MSM BSN RN CGRN
Colleen Keith, MSN RN CGRN
Jo Sienknecht, RN CGRN
Conrad Worrell, RN CGRN
Speaker of the House Of Delegates
Catherine Collins, MBA BSN RN CGRN
Vice-Speaker of the House Of Delegates
LeaAnne Myers, RN BS CGRN
Newsletter Editor
Kathy Vinci, RN CGRN
Journal Editor
Kathy A. Baker, PhD RN ACNS-BC CGRN FAAN
Executive Director
Dale West, CAE
2 | Quarter One 2012
“With your courage and your passion, we have
nothing to fear as we embrace the initiatives that
will drive SGNA into the future.”
Everywhere I have gone, I see evidence of
apprehension. We live in turbulent times
that are complicated by the turmoil of our
global economy. Healthcare must face many
fears and anxieties as we march through this
demanding decade. Many economists claim
that we are back into a serious recession and
predict that we are actually facing a global
depression. We see that jobs are being slashed,
layoffs are occurring, institutions are closing.
Limited or declining funding is impacting
every aspect of our specialty — from physician
reimbursement to the selection of who is
being trained as endoscopy personnel on
provide you with much opportunity to build
the excellence and high quality that the
future will demand for our organization as
well as for each of us to attain success.
SGNA calls upon you to take that
courageous step to be an active participant
in our future. We must build our leaders
faster than ever before to be passionate
champions ready to meet these challenges.
On the national, regional and personal level,
there are many opportunities.
Continued on page 11
Unit Spotlight
Not Just a Team — a Family
Continued from page 1
But even in the most efficient working
environments, things don’t always go
as planned. Just as Andrea admires her
team’s GI knowledge, she’s just as proud
when a nurse knows when to ask for
help. She says her team realizes when it’s
necessary to transfer patients to nearby
Providence St. Peter Hospital. Those
assessment skills, she says, are crucial to
being an optimal caregiver.
“Even though we’re an outpatient unit
and don’t see some of the same kind of
action like in a hospital, when a critical
situation does arise, the nurses are
professional in their assessments and in
making the right decisions,” Andrea says.
“Our staff is on top of it.”
An Emphasis on Education
and Certification
Of Gastroenterology Associates’ nine-member
registered nursing staff, five are certified.
“When you work in GI, you want to learn
as much as you can,” Andrea says. “You
want to be knowledgeable and a resource.
Education is important to me, and we want
that confidence to educate not only our
patients but our staff as well.”
As an incentive to achieve certification,
Gastroenterology Associates pays for
the testing fees and provides an hourly
stipend. To further show its commitment
to education, the practice has sent up to
three nurses to SGNA’s Annual Course each
year — and last fall, it sent 10 Endoscopy
staff to SGNA’s Pacific Northwest regional
conference.
(Seated from left to right) Deb Boes, RN; Beth Jones, CGRN; Andrea Raincrow-Chisholm, MSN BSN
RN CGRN, Endoscopy Manager; Sarah Trigg, CGRN; Joann Grimes, LPN; (standing from left to right)
Sendija Piliaris, CGRN, Endoscopy Charge Nurse; Kelly Auvinen, CGRN, Quality Assurance Manager;
Jessica Daubert, LPN; Benjamin Merrifield, MD, Endoscopy Medical Director; Sariah Murdock, RN/
Lead RN; Luann Byrd, GIA; Jennifer Smith, GIA; Amber Quade, LPN; Susan Landkamer-Rivera, GIA;
Indietta Burton, Lead GIA; Mallory Peters, GIA/Support Assist; James Kruidenier, MD, Endoscopy
Medical Director; Haiden Darst-McCray, Patient Care Coordinator; Reagan Meyer, LPN; Kristina
Hudnell, RN; Judith Hicks, RN.
“After getting my certification, I not only felt
proud, but it also gave me a sense that I just
became something more than an endoscopy
nurse,” Sandy says. “It does not make me
think that I know everything or should
know everything about GI nursing, but I do
have this knowledge about where to find
the right information or guide others in the
right direction. Becoming credentialed in GI
nursing has helped me grow in my nursing
career and feel more professional in what I
do — in what I love to do.”
Sandy says certification has given her more
knowledge about GI disorders and has
“Getting certi fied was one of the biggest
accomplishments and greatest moments in my life.”
The willingness to learn, grow and share
knowledge with others is the practice’s key
to success, according to Sendija (Sandy)
Piliaris, CGRN, Gastroenterology Associates’
charge nurse.
allowed her to become a resource to her
patients, physicians and co-workers — and
that’s in addition to the invaluable personal
gratification it has afforded her.
Continued on page 10
Gastroenterology Associates
Core Endoscopy Center Staff
Andrea Raincrow-Chisholm, MSN BSN
RN CGRN, Endoscopy Manager
Kelly Auvinen, CGRN, Quality Manager
Sendija Piliaris, CGRN, Charge Nurse
Deb Boes, RN
Indietta Burton, GIA
Haiden Darst-McCray, Patient Care
Coordinator
Luann Byrd, GIA
Jessica Daubert, LPN
Joann Grimes, LPN
Kristina Hudnell, RN
Beth Jones, CGRN
Susan Landkamer-Rivera, GIA
Reagan Meyer, LPN
Sariah Murdock, RN
Mallory Peters, Support Assist
Amber Quade, LPN
Jennifer Smith, GIA
Sarah Trigg, CGRN
On-call Endoscopy Center Staff:
Jeanie Earls, RN; Kim Fraser, GIA
SGNA News | 3
Make the choice to attend THE premier event for
GI/endoscopy nursing professionals!
Sgna PReSentS…
Finding the
Leader in You
Making the ChoiCe to Lead
We all can make a difference — commit to delivering
excellence and advance your professional growth.
Mark your calendars for:
SGNA 39th Annual Course | May 18–23, 2012 | Phoenix, Arizona
Member Spotlight
You Get What You Give
Eileen Babb’s SGNA involvement has helped her become a GI resource for patients, fellow nurses and physicians
Eileen Babb, BSN
RN CGRN CFER
When Eileen Babb, BSN
RN CGRN CFER, reflects
on why she most
enjoys being an SGNA
member, she rattles
off some of the usual
suspects: the educational
opportunities,
networking events and
keeping up-to-date on
the latest technology and
standards of practice.
She also mentions SGNA’s award and
scholarship opportunities through its
education and research initiatives. In fact, it
was through a scholarship stipend awarded
by her region and national SGNA that
Eileen was able to attend the 2011 SGNA
Annual Course.
This year, Eileen will be at the flagship event
again — as a Program Committee member
who planned the educational offerings of
the SGNA 39th Annual Course.
“Collaborating with a team of experts
from all over the country in planning
the educational content of our Annual
Course and gathering top-notch speakers
to educate us has been very rewarding
to me,” Eileen says. “There are so many
opportunities for volunteer participation
on committees and task forces regionally
and nationally. You can influence policy and
legislation by being more involved.”
Eileen, who has been an SGNA member since
2003, discovered the value of the Society
early on in her membership and experiences
those benefits all the more since getting
involved within SGNA. What most attracted
her are the educational resources — and
education is one of the main reasons she was
Keeping on top of trends and developments
in the industry is especially important
in her leadership roles. Eileen says she
pays particular attention to the changing
dynamics of healthcare finances and
delivery through value-based purchasing
and Hospital Consumer Assessment of
Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS).
She also says she’s seeing more quality and
safety improvement initiatives, and that
more endoscopy units are being accredited
and more nurses are getting certified.
“I �ound that endosco �y was a natural fi t �or me.
I love the great � �end o � critical-thinking skills
and technical skills in this nursing specialty.”
drawn to the gastroenterology field in the
first place.
Eileen’s GI/endoscopy nursing journey began
in 1999 when she was invited by a mentor to
observe a few cases in the endoscopy suite.
From there, she earned her certification
in gastroenterology nursing in 2003 and
flexible endoscope reprocessing in 2009.
“I found that endoscopy was a natural fit for
me,” Eileen says. “I love the great blend of
critical-thinking skills and technical skills in
this nursing specialty. Compared to other
nursing specialties, it is very fast paced,
yet quality and patient safety are always
at the forefront. Patient education is
also a biggie.”
Eileen, who is the team leader of
the endoscopy department at
Chesapeake Regional Medical
Center in Chesapeake, VA, first
began getting involved in
SGNA by planning educational
events for her region, Old
Dominion SGNA (ODSGNA).
Today, she is the PresidentElect of ODSGNA.
These trends not only strengthen the GI
field but, more importantly, help improve
patient outcomes.
“Because of grassroots effort by local GI/
endoscopy units and public awareness
initiatives by SGNA and ASGE, I am seeing
more people getting screened for colon
cancer,” she says. “It is very gratifying to be a
part of the effort to reduce the death rate for
the number two cancer killer in America.”
For Eileen, education isn’t simply about
what she learns — it’s even more so about
how she uses her knowledge. By getting
involved in SGNA and becoming certified,
she has the support, opportunities and
expertise to be a true fountain of knowledge
for her colleagues and patients.
“I have better self-confidence and have
tremendously increased my knowledge
base by becoming an SGNA member
and obtaining my certifications in
gastroenterology nursing and flexible
endoscope reprocessing,” she says. “I am a
resource not just to my co-workers but to
physicians. I feel that I am improving patient
outcomes and patient satisfaction.”
SGNA News | 5
Program Focus
First-person Glimpses at
Present With Success
“I feel that the Present With Success
presentation is one that is particularly
important for anyone in a leadership
position within the organization.
One of the leadership responsibilities
is to present information relative to
the workings of the organization
to the membership in a concise,
coherent manner.
Although I have given PowerPoint®
presentations many times, I learned
much about how to dress correctly for
various situations, how to prepare for
the presentation and many successful
methods for delivery.
The facilitators were excellent. The
material was presented in a fast-paced,
but clear and organized fashion that
allowed for dialogue between the
facilitator and the participants. It was a
humbling experience to be videotaped,
but the feedback was presented in a
positive manner that encouraged all to
work toward being a better speaker.
SGNA Offers Volunteer Leaders Present
With Success Pilot Program Training
Due to the generous support of Boston Scientific,
SGNA partnered with BRODY Professional Development
to offer Present With Success, an interactive training
workshop on Thursday, November 3, 2011, prior to the
SGNA Leadership Conference.
The Present With Success training is a one-day, highly interactive program that focuses on
the effective development and delivery of presentations by breaking down the techniques
of organizing, developing and delivering audience-centered content. The program includes
participant manuals and jump drives that include program materials and resources. The
trainees also participated in a pre-program webinar to maximize individual coaching during
the training session.
With continued support from Boston Scientific, SGNA and BRODY will look to offer ongoing
education through live programs and webinars for SGNA members, customers and speakers.
The goal of this training is to meet the educational needs of those looking for management,
leadership and professional development content.
Below is some feedback
from training participants:
Attendance at this program has
provided me with many tools to use
in my future presentations to both
members of the leadership team as
well as in other arenas.”
“Great material. Dynamic instructor.
Critiquing our presentations really works
and makes the class meaningful.”
— Jane Harker, MS BSN RN CGRN
2011-2012 SGNA Treasurer
“The Present With Success session is an
invaluable tool and opportunity for
each of us who has the opportunity to
participate. For me, I learned several
things, and became open to a new way of
thinking about presentations! In a much
broader way, I began to grasp that many
of the common interactions we encounter
are actually ‘presentations’ of ourselves,
our thoughts and our ideas. If we consider
them that way, our communication
becomes clearer, more to the point and
more likely able to communicate what we
are really trying to say!
The practical portions of the presentation
were outstanding and on-the-ground
helpful, using real tools and actual
opportunity to practice, critique and
practice again. All in all, this was a
valuable and useful experience.
—Phyllis Malpas, MA RN CGRN
2011-2012 SGNA President-Elect
6 | Quarter One 2012
“Highly recommend this
course to anyone who does
public speaking.”
“I was very apprehensive about
attending this class, but [the instructor]
made it easy and fun. I learned so much
and am so glad I attended.”
“[The instructor’s] passion and commitment
really engages the audience. I believe the real-time
critique and suggestions were invaluable as opposed to evaluations after the fact.”
“This was an excellent
resource for SGNA, personal
and professional life.”
Product Spotlight
SGNA: Helping You Become Certified
As always, SGNA remains committed to
helping GI/endoscopy nurses become
certified or recertified. SGNA has two
exciting new resources for this effort: one is
the GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review: Certification
Study Manual, and the second is the live
GI/Endoscopy Certification Review Course
at the SGNA 39th Annual Course.
Announcing the SGNA
GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review:
Certification Study Manual
Use this new manual to enhance your
studying as you prepare for the CGRN
certification exam. Designed to help you
plan and prepare for certification, the GI/
Endoscopy Nursing Review is your gateway
to other resources in the SGNA library.
Highlights of this new manual include:
• Time Study Manager keeps you on track
with key dates and milestones as you
prepare for the certification exam.
• Easy Topic Tabs make it simple to find
sections of information and organize your
study plan.
• Test your knowledge with the Preassessment Questions to self-assess
before you begin to study.
• Check your comprehension with
Module Review Questions following
each section of information and Postassessment Questions at the end of the
manual when your review is complete.
• Cost: $75-SGNA member /
$150-Non-member
To order, visit the SGNA Marketplace at
www.sgna.org or call 800/245-SGNA (7462).
Remember, log in with your membership
information to receive your discount of 50
percent off the list price! Contact SGNA
Headquarters at [email protected]
with any questions.
Attend the live GI/Endoscopy
Certification Review Course at
the Annual Course
The GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review Course
is a 1.5-day course on Saturday, May 19 and
Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the SGNA Annual
Course in Phoenix, AZ. The course will
GII
G
GI / Endoscopy
Nursing Review
Certification St
udy Manual
provide an overview of key areas related
to GI/endoscopy nursing practice and
tips on how to prepare for ABCGN’s CGRN
certification exam.
overview of key areas related to
GI/endoscopy and the nursing practice.
The Review Course is also valuable for
attendees interested in receiving an
• Cost: $225-SGNA member /
$325-Non-member
• Attendees will earn 11.25
GI-specific contact hours
Sign Up for May 2012 CGRN
Certification Exam!
Visit the ABCGN Web site at www.abcgn.org
to sign up online for the May 2012 CGRN
Certification Exam! The application window
will remain open until February 29, 2012.
SGNA News | 7
In nearly 30% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), the disease starts as proctitis1
Prescribe Asacol® HD for patients with moderately active UC
In clinical studies of moderately active UC, 70% (273/389) of patients in
ASCEND III2 and 72% (89/124) of patients in ASCEND II3 achieved overall
improvement at 6 weeks with Asacol® HD at 4.8 g/day
Asacol® HD at 4.8 g/day has been
studied in patients with proctitis3
Asacol® HD at 4.8 g/day: effective across disease extent in
patients with moderately active UC3
Overall improvement* by extent of disease† at 6 weeks3
Patients improved (%)
80
60
75%
70%
70%
74%
40
* In ASCEND II, overall improvement
was determined by the Physician’s Global
Assessment (PGA), which encompasses
the clinical assessments of rectal bleeding,
stool frequency, and sigmoidoscopy
findings. The Patient’s Functional
Assessment (PFA) was also included.
† Extent-of-disease data are from ASCEND II.
Patients with proctitis were not included
in ASCEND III.
20
0
Proctitis
n=20
Proctosigmoiditis
n=30
Left-sided colitis
n=47
Pancolitis
n=27
Extent of disease
Indication
Asacol® HD (mesalamine) delayed-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). The
recommended dose in adults is two 800 mg tablets TID, with or without food, for a total daily dose of 4.8 g. The safety and efficacy of
Asacol® HD beyond 6 weeks has not been established.
Selected Safety Information
Asacol® HD is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant
women; therefore, Asacol® HD should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Caution
should be exercised when using Asacol® HD in nursing women, in patients with liver disease, and in patients with known renal dysfunction or
history of renal disease. It is recommended that all patients have an evaluation of renal function prior to initiation of and periodically while on
Asacol® HD therapy. Acute exacerbation of colitis symptoms can also occur. Serious adverse events may occur with Asacol® HD.
In clinical trials, Asacol® HD was generally well-tolerated. The most common adverse reactions (observed in >2% of patients) were headache,
nausea, nasopharyngitis, abdominal pain, and exacerbation of UC.
One Asacol® HD 800 mg tablet has not been shown to be bioequivalent to two Asacol® (mesalamine) delayed-release 400 mg tablets.
References: 1. About ulcerative colitis and proctitis. Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Web site.
http://www.ccfa.org/info/about/ucp. Updated January 3, 2011. Accessed October 27, 2011. 2. Sandborn WJ, Regula J,
Feagan BG, et al. Delayed-release oral mesalamine 4.8 g/day (800-mg tablet) is effective for patients with moderately active
ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterology. 2009;137(6):1934-1943. 3. Hanauer SB, Sandborn WJ, Kornbluth A, et al. Delayed-release
oral mesalamine at 4.8 g/day (800 mg tablet) for the treatment of moderately active ulcerative colitis: the ASCEND II trial.
Am J Gastroenterol. 2005;100(11):2478-2485.
Please see Brief Summary of Full Prescribing Information on the following page.
Please see Full Prescribing Information at www.asacolhd.com.
Asacol® is a registered trademark of Medeva Pharma Suisse AG, used under license by Warner Chilcott Company, LLC.
© Warner Chilcott
3189
November 2011
Printed in USA
Asacol® HD (mesalamine) delayed-release tablet for oral administration
BRIEF SUMMARY: Consult the package insert for complete prescribing information
1
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Asacol HD is indicated for the treatment of moderately active ulcerative colitis. Safety and
effectiveness of Asacol HD beyond 6 weeks has not been established.
2
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
For the treatment of moderately active ulcerative colitis, the recommended dose of Asacol HD
in adults is two 800 mg tablets to be taken three times daily with or without food, for a total
daily dose of 4.8 g, for a duration of 6 weeks. Asacol HD use beyond 6 weeks has not been
evaluated. Asacol HD should be swallowed whole without cutting, breaking, or chewing. One
Asacol HD 800 mg tablet has not been shown to be bioequivalent to two Asacol 400 mg tablets
[see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
6.2
Adverse Reaction Information from Other Sources
In addition to the adverse reactions reported above in clinical trials involving the Asacol HD
tablet, the adverse events listed below have been reported in controlled clinical trials,
open label studies, literature reports, or foreign and domestic marketing experience with
Asacol 400 mg tablets or other products that contain or are metabolized to mesalamine.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is
not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to
drug exposure.
Body as a Whole: Facial edema, edema, peripheral edema, asthenia, chills, infection, malaise,
pain, neck pain, chest pain, back pain, abdominal enlargement, lupus-like syndrome,
drug fever (rare).
Cardiovascular: Pericarditis (rare), pericardial effusion, myocarditis (rare), vasodilation,
migraine.
Gastrointestinal: Dry mouth, stomatitis, oral ulcers, anorexia, increased appetite, eructation,
4
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Asacol HD is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylates or aminosalicylates pancreatitis, cholecystitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, perforated
peptic ulcer (rare), constipation, hemorrhoids, rectal hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea, tenesmus,
or to any of the components of Asacol HD tablets.
stool abnormality.
5
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hepatic: There have been rare reports of hepatotoxicity, including jaundice, cholestatic
5.1
Renal Impairment
jaundice, hepatitis, and possible hepatocellular damage including liver necrosis and liver
Renal impairment, including minimal change nephropathy, acute and chronic interstitial
failure. Some of these cases were fatal. Asymptomatic elevations of liver enzymes which
nephritis, and, rarely, renal failure, has been reported in patients taking products such as
usually resolve during continued use or with discontinuation of the drug have also been
Asacol HD that contain or are converted to mesalamine.
reported. One case of Kawasaki-like syndrome, that included changes in liver enzymes,
was also reported.
It is recommended that all patients have an evaluation of renal function prior to initiation of
Hematologic: Agranulocytosis (rare), aplastic anemia (rare), anemia, thrombocytopenia,
Asacol HD and periodically while on therapy. Exercise caution when using Asacol HD in
leukopenia, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy.
patients with known renal dysfunction or history of renal disease.
Musculoskeletal: Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, arthralgia, joint disorder, myalgia,
In animal studies (rats, mice, dogs), the kidney was the principal organ for toxicity [see
hypertonia.
Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2)].
Neurological/Psychiatric: Anxiety, depression, somnolence, insomnia, nervousness, confusion,
emotional lability, dizziness, vertigo, tremor, paresthesia, hyperesthesia, peripheral neuropathy
5.2
Exacerbation of Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms
(rare), Guillain-Barré syndrome (rare), and transverse myelitis (rare).
Exacerbation of the symptoms of colitis has been reported in 2.3% of Asacol HD-treated
patients in controlled clinical trials. This acute reaction, characterized by cramping, abdominal Respiratory/Pulmonary: Sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, asthma exacerbation, pleuritis,
bronchitis, eosinophilic pneumonia, interstitial pneumonitis.
pain, bloody diarrhea, and occasionally by fever, headache, malaise, pruritus, rash, and
Skin: Alopecia, psoriasis (rare), pyoderma gangrenosum (rare), erythema nodosum, acne,
conjunctivitis, has been reported after the initiation of Asacol HD tablets as well as other
dry skin, sweating, pruritus, urticaria, rash.
mesalamine products. Symptoms usually abate when Asacol HD tablets are discontinued.
Special Senses: Ear pain, tinnitus, ear congestion, ear disorder, conjunctivitis, eye pain,
5.3
Hypersensitivity
blurred vision, vision abnormality, taste perversion.
Some patients who have experienced a hypersensitivity reaction to sulfasalazine may have
Renal/Urogenital: Renal failure (rare), interstitial nephritis, minimal change nephropathy [see
a similar reaction to Asacol HD tablets or to other compounds that contain or are converted
Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], dysuria, urinary frequency and urgency, hematuria,
to mesalamine.
epididymitis, decreased libido, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia.
Laboratory Abnormalities: Elevated AST (SGOT) or ALT (SGPT), elevated alkaline phosphatase,
5.4
Pyloric Stenosis
elevated GGT, elevated LDH, elevated bilirubin, elevated serum creatinine and BUN.
Patients with pyloric stenosis may have prolonged gastric retention of Asacol HD tablets,
which could delay release of mesalamine in the colon.
7
DRUG INTERACTIONS
No formal drug interaction studies have been performed using Asacol HD with other drugs.
5.5
Use in Hepatic Impairment
There have been reports of hepatic failure in patients with pre-existing liver disease who have 8
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
been administered mesalamine. Caution should be exercised when administering Asacol HD to 8.1
Pregnancy
patients with liver disease.
Pregnancy Category C: There are no adequate well controlled studies of Asacol HD use in
pregnant women. Limited published human data on mesalamine show no increase in the
6
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most serious adverse reactions seen in Asacol HD clinical trials or with other products that overall rate of congenital malformations. Some data show an increased rate of preterm birth,
stillbirth, and low birth weight; however, these adverse pregnancy outcomes are also
contain or are metabolized to mesalamine were:
associated with active inflammatory bowel disease. Animal reproduction studies of
• Renal impairment, including renal failure (rare) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
mesalamine found no evidence of fetal harm. However, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is an inactive
• Acute exacerbation of colitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]
ingredient in Asacol HD’s enteric coating, and in animal studies at doses >80 times the
• Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
human dose based on body surface area, maternal DBP caused external and skeletal
6.1
Clinical Trials Experience
malformations and adverse effects on the male reproductive system. Asacol HD should be
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials
Mesalamine crosses the placenta. In prospective and retrospective studies of over 600 women
of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
exposed to mesalamine during pregnancy, the observed rate of congenital malformations was
Asacol HD has been evaluated in 896 patients with ulcerative colitis in controlled studies.
not increased above the background rate in the general population. Some data show an
Three six-week, active-controlled studies were conducted comparing Asacol HD 4.8 g/day
increased rate of preterm birth, stillbirth, and low birth weight, but it is unclear whether this
with Asacol (mesalamine) 2.4 g/day as control in patients with mildly to moderately active
was due to underlying maternal disease, drug exposure, or both, as active inflammatory bowel
ulcerative colitis. In these studies, 727 patients were dosed with the Asacol HD tablet and
disease is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
732 patients were dosed with the Asacol 400 mg tablet. (One Asacol HD 800 mg tablet has
not been shown to be bioequivalent to two Asacol 400 mg tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology Reproduction studies with mesalamine were performed during organogenesis in rats and
rabbits at oral doses up to 480 mg/kg/day. There was no evidence of impaired fertility or harm
(12.3)].)
to the fetus. These mesalamine doses were about 1.6 times (rat) and 3.2 times (rabbit) the
The most common reactions reported in the Asacol HD group were headache (4.7%), nausea recommended human dose, based on body surface area.
(2.8%), nasopharyngitis (2.5%), abdominal pain (2.3%), exacerbation of ulcerative colitis
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is an inactive ingredient in Asacol HD’s enteric coating. The human
(2.3%), diarrhea (1.7%), and dyspepsia (1.7%); Table 1 enumerates adverse drug reactions
daily intake of DBP from the maximum recommended dose of Asacol HD tablets is about
that occurred in the three studies. The most common reactions in the primary efficacy
48 mg. Published reports in rats show that male rat offspring exposed in utero to DBP
population of patients with moderately active ulcerative colitis (602 patients dosed with
(≥100 mg/kg/day, approximately 17 times the human dose based on body surface area),
Asacol HD and 618 patients dosed with the Asacol 400 mg tablet) were the same as all
display reproductive system aberrations compatible with disruption of androgenic dependent
treated patients. The majority of adverse reactions with Asacol HD in the double-blind,
development.
The clinical significance of this finding in rats is unknown. At higher dosages
active-controlled trials were mild or moderate in severity and were reversible.
(≥500 mg/kg/day, approximately 84 times the human dose based on body surface area),
Discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 3.9% of patients in the Asacol HD group additional effects, including cryptorchidism, hypospadias, atrophy or agenesis of sex accessory
and in 4.2% of patients in the Asacol 400 mg tablet comparator group. The most common
organs, testicular injury, reduced daily sperm production, permanent retention of nipples, and
cause for discontinuation was gastrointestinal symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis.
decreased anogenital distance are noted. Female offspring are unaffected. High doses of DBP,
administered to pregnant rats was associated with increased incidences of developmental
Severe adverse reactions occurred in 7.6% of patients in the Asacol HD group and in 7.6%
abnormalities, such as cleft palate (≥630 mg/kg/day, about 106 times the human dose, based
of patients in the Asacol 400 mg tablet comparator group. Most of these reactions were
on body surface area) and skeletal abnormalities (≥750 mg/kg/day, about 127 times the
gastrointestinal symptoms related to ulcerative colitis. Serious adverse reactions occurred in
human dose based on body surface area) in the offspring.
0.8% of patients in the Asacol HD group and in 1.8% of patients in the Asacol 400 mg tablet
comparator group. The majority involved the gastrointestinal system.
8.3
Nursing Mothers
Mesalamine and its N-acetyl metabolite are excreted into human milk. In published lactation
Table 1. Adverse Reactions Occurring in 1% or More of All Treated Patients
studies, maternal mesalamine doses from various oral and rectal formulations and products
(Three studies combined; Intent-to-treat population)
ranged from 500 mg to 3 g daily. The concentration of mesalamine in milk ranged from
non-detectable to 0.11 mg/L. The concentration of the N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid
Asacol*
Asacol HD*
metabolite ranged from 5 to 18.1 mg/L. Based on these concentrations, estimated infant daily
2.4 g/day
4.8 g/day
doses for an exclusively breastfed infant are 0-0.017 mg/kg/day of mesalamine and
(400 mg Tablet)
(800 mg Tablet)
0.75-2.72 mg/kg/day of N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid. Caution should be exercised when
MedDRA Preferred Term
(N=732)
(N=727)
Asacol HD is administered to a nursing woman.
Headache
4.9 %
4.7 %
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), an inactive ingredient in the enteric coating of Asacol HD tablets,
Nausea
2.9 %
2.8 %
and its primary metabolite mono-butyl phthalate (MBP) are excreted into human milk. In
Nasopharyngitis
1.4 %
2.5 %
pregnant rats, DBP causes fetal reproductive system aberrations in male offspring [see
Abdominal pain
2.3 %
2.3 %
Pregnancy (8.1)]. The clinical significance of this has not been determined.
Ulcerative Colitis
2.7 %
2.3 %
8.4
Pediatric Use
Diarrhea
1.9 %
1.7 %
Safety and effectiveness of Asacol HD in pediatric patients have not been established.
Dyspepsia
0.8 %
1.7 %
8.5
Geriatric Use
Vomiting
1.6 %
1.4 %
Clinical studies of Asacol HD did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over
Flatulence
0.7 %
1.2 %
to determine whether they respond differently than younger subjects. Other reported clinical
Influenza
1.2 %
1.0 %
experience has not identified differences in response between the elderly and younger
Pyrexia
1.2 %
0.7 %
patients. In general, the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and
of concomitant disease or other drug therapy in elderly patients should be considered when
Cough
1.4 %
0.3 %
prescribing Asacol HD. Reports from uncontrolled clinical studies and postmarketing reporting
N = number of patients within specified treatment group
systems for Asacol (mesalamine) suggested a higher incidence of blood dyscrasias, i.e.,
% = percentage of patients in category and treatment group
agranulocytosis, neutropenia, pancytopenia, in patients who were 65 years or older. Caution
* One Asacol HD 800 mg tablet has not been shown to be bioequivalent to
should be taken to closely monitor blood cell counts during mesalamine therapy.
two Asacol 400 mg tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Mesalamine is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions
to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients
are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken when prescribing this
drug therapy. It is recommended that all patients have an evaluation of renal function prior to
initiation of Asacol HD therapy and periodically while on Asacol HD therapy [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.1)].
10
OVERDOSAGE
There is no specific antidote for mesalamine overdose and treatment for suspected acute
severe toxicity with Asacol HD should be symptomatic and supportive. This may include
prevention of further gastrointestinal tract absorption, correction of fluid electrolyte imbalance,
and maintaining adequate renal function. Asacol HD is a pH dependent delayed release product
and this factor should be considered when treating a suspected overdose.
Single oral doses of 5000 mg/kg mesalamine suspension in mice (approximately 4.2 times the
recommended human dose of Asacol HD based on body surface area), 4595 mg/kg in rats
(approximately 7.8 times the recommended human dose of Asacol HD based on body surface
area) and 3000 mg/kg in cynomolgus monkeys (approximately 10 times the recommended
human dose of Asacol HD based on body surface area) were lethal.
13
NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Dietary mesalamine was not carcinogenic in rats at doses as high as 480 mg/kg/day, or in
mice at 2000 mg/kg/day. These doses are approximately 0.8 and 1.7 times the 4.8 g/day
Asacol HD dose (based on body surface area). Mesalamine was not genotoxic in the Ames test,
the Chinese hamster ovary cell chromosomal aberration assay, and the mouse micronucleus
test. Mesalamine, at oral doses up to 480 mg/kg/day (about 0.8 times the recommended
human treatment dose based on body surface area), was found to have no effect on fertility or
reproductive performance of male and female rats.
13.2
Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology
In animal studies (rats, mice, dogs), the kidney was the principal organ for toxicity. (In the
following, comparisons of animal dosing to recommended human dosing are based on body
surface area and a 4.8 g/day dose for a 50 kg person.)
Mesalamine causes renal papillary necrosis in rats at single doses of approximately
750 mg/kg to 1000 mg/kg (1.3 to 1.7 times the recommended human dose). Doses of 170 and
360 mg/kg/day (about 0.3 and 0.6 times the recommended human dose) given to rats for
six months produced papillary necrosis, papillary edema, tubular degeneration, tubular
mineralization, and urothelial hyperplasia.
In mice, oral doses of 4000 mg/kg/day (approximately 3.4 times the recommended human
dose) for three months produced tubular nephrosis, multifocal/diffuse tubulo-interstitial
inflammation, and multifocal/diffuse papillary necrosis.
In dogs, single doses of 6000 mg (approximately 6.25 times the recommended human dose) of
delayed-release mesalamine tablets resulted in renal papillary necrosis but were not fatal.
Renal changes have occurred in dogs given chronic administration of mesalamine at doses of
80 mg/kg/day (0.5 times the recommended human dose).
17
PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
• Instruct patients to swallow the Asacol HD tablets whole, taking care not to break, cut, or
chew the tablets, because the outer coating is an important part of the delayed-release
formulation.
• Inform patients that if they are switching from a previous oral mesalamine therapy to
Asacol HD they should discontinue their previous oral mesalamine therapy and follow the
dosing instructions for Asacol HD. Inform patients that they should not substitute one
Asacol HD tablet with two Asacol 400 mg tablets [see Dosage Forms and Strengths (3) and
Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
• Inform patients that intact, partially intact, and/or tablet shells have been reported in the
stool. Instruct patients to contact their physician if this occurs repeatedly.
• Instruct patients to protect Asacol HD tablets from moisture. Instruct patients to close the
container tightly and to leave any desiccant pouches present in the bottle along with
the tablets.
• Advise women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or of childbearing potential that Asacol HD
contains dibutyl phthalate, which caused malformations and adverse effects on the
male reproductive system in animal studies. Dibutyl phthalate is excreted in human milk.
Marketed by: Warner Chilcott (US), LLC
Rockaway, NJ 07866
1-800-521-8813
0783G130
January 2011
© Warner Chilcott
Asacol® is a registered trademark of Medeva Pharma Suisse AG, used under license by
Warner Chilcott Company, LLC.
Leadership Conference – In-Depth
A Look Back at the 2011 SGNA Leadership Conference
Shelley Riddle, BA MBA LPN
Shelley Riddle, BA
MBA LPN
In November 2011, the
SGNA regional leaders
came together for the
15th Annual SGNA
Leadership Conference.
Regional Society
president-elects and
fellow regional officers
traveled to Rosemont, IL,
for a one day leadershipbuilding seminar.
President Leslie E. Stewart, BA RN CGRN,
gave an empowering presentation titled
“SGNA Quest for Quality” to kick off the
conference. Leslie’s presentation rolled
out the new 2012-2014 Strategic Plan and
the direction our organization is taking to
strengthen the voice of GI nursing.
President-Elect Phyllis Malpas, MA RN CGRN,
concluded the conference with her exciting
and motivational presentation on the
importance of mentoring to produce and
encourage excellent leaders. Not only did
attendees learn a great deal, but they also
caught on to Malpas’ contagious spirit and
passion for SGNA.
In addition to the outstanding educational
presentations, this leadership-building
weekend dually served as a great
networking opportunity. We had an
interactive networking breakout session,
during which attendees were able to sit with
their regional divisions and discuss some
hot-topic issues occurring within their region
and the GI/endoscopy profession.
Regional officers also had the chance to
network with SGNA National Board members
and learn about the path each board
member took to get to where they are today.
There are many roads toward becoming a
leader, and many were explored during the
Leadership Conference this year.
Attendees left the conference with valuable
information to bring back to their respective
regions, including the new Infection
Prevention Champions Program, an overview
of regional budgeting, details on how to
submit an abstract for the Annual Course
and information on SGNA’s nominations and
elections process. Those are a few highlights,
but every presentation was truly thought
provoking and meaningful.
Attend Leadership
Conference at
Annual Course
There will be a condensed
version of the Leadership
Conference at the 39th Annual
Course on Friday, May 18, 2012,
from 8 am to noon. Please look
for more information in the
Annual Course Advance Program,
available for download on the
SGNA Web site.
representatives for their participation during
the weekend. Finally, a special thank you
goes out to Medivators for their generous
support of the Leadership Conference.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank the Regional Societies Committee
for the hard work and dedication it took to
put on this event, as well as the regional
Not Just a Team — a Family
Continued from page 3
“Getting certified was one of the biggest
accomplishments and greatest moments in
my life,” Sandy says.
Like Sandy, fellow Gastroenterology
Associates nurse Beth Jones, CGRN, says
getting certified provides both professional
and personal fulfillment.
“Initially, in 2005, when I became certified,
it was for my own satisfaction. It was
tangible ‘proof’ that I was up-to-date and
knowledgeable in the field of GI,” Beth
says. “This gives me self-confidence and
credibility in the eyes of my patients and
co-workers.”
10 | Quarter One 2012
Advancing the Practice
with SGNA
In addition to attending the Annual Course
and regional conferences, Andrea uses the
SGNA Web site as a top resource to learn
best practices from other GI nurses from
around the nation. As the infection control
officer for Gastroenterology Associates, she
often takes advantage of this benefit.
“SGNA is invaluable for finding out what
people in the GI world are doing in terms of
infection control,” Andrea says. “I was on a
discussion forum on the SGNA Web site where
I had access to ideas that I hadn’t thought
about. It’s just a wonderful resource.”
Andrea uses much of the information
she draws from SGNA’s Web site when
contributing to team processes that affect
the entire staff of physicians, nurses and
techs. This supports their collaboration to
explore the reasons behind their common
practices and helps to decide what they
can do better. It’s in this setting that the
Gastroenterology Associates team comes
together to develop and refine ways to
deliver the high standard of care that
patients in Olympia depend upon.
“It’s great to be a part of this team — kicking
around ideas and improving the process
together,” Andrea says. “It doesn’t matter your
role or title; everyone has a good idea.”
Editor’s Corner
Celebrate the Art of GI Nursing
Kathy Vinci, RN CGRN, SGNA News Editor
GI Nurses and Associates
Day is March 28, 2012 –
it’s a day to celebrate our
yearlong dedication to
the art of GI nursing.
GI Nurses and Associates
Day takes place the
fourth Wednesday every
March, which coincides
with National Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Month in March. Screening for colon cancer is a
part of our job as GI nurses, but it is just the tip
of the iceberg. Our role as GI nurses also
includes ERCPs, endoscopic ultrasound, liver
biopsies, paracentesis, endoscopies, breath
tests, peg placement and bronchoscopes. We
are caring for inpatients and outpatients at the
same time.
As part of our profession, we not only care
for the patient’s intra-procedure, but we also
provide a large amount of patient education
regarding the procedure, the medications and
the diagnosis. A lot of our units are on call 24/7.
We are dedicated to providing high quality
healthcare to our patients with gastrointestinal
diseases. Every day, we demonstrate our
professionalism, compassion and expert
knowledge while caring for our GI patients. We
should be proud of ourselves and congratulate
ourselves on a job well done.
I hope you show pride in the GI profession
by celebrating GI Nurses and Associates Day
this year. One way to participate is by making
a poster for the cafeteria in your hospital.
Having a luncheon for all the staff or having a
dinner with a speaker is also a way to celebrate
your day. You may also want to order a free
GI Nurses and Associates Day kit, which has a
GI poster and other celebratory materials in
it, courtesy of our corporate sponsor Warner
Chilcott. (See the enclosed poster for more
details or visit www.sgna.org/GINAD for
information on ordering your kit and other
ideas on how to celebrate.)
Whichever way you choose to celebrate your
special, well-deserved day, I hope you have a
happy GI Nurses and Associates Day.
March 28
Proud to be GI
GI Nurses & Ass
ocIAtes DAy 20
12
Don’t forget to let SGNA know what your
unit did for GI Nurses and Associates Day
by writing to us and sending photos to
[email protected]. We may
publish your celebration story in SGNA
News, on the Web site or display your
pictures at the Annual Course!
GI Nurses and Associates Day is
generously supported by Warner Chilcott.
SGNA Calls You to Accept the Challenge to Lead
Continued from page 2
• Volunteer and serve on a national or
regional committee or task force. You will
be part of the team that will build the
future of SGNA.
• Vote for your future leaders. Make the
decision to run for office but also use your
vote to elect those who you know are
good leaders.
• In our Strategic Plan for 2012-2014, we
focus on many of the issues that are
at the forefront of controversy within
our healthcare arena today, such as
colorectal cancer awareness and infection
prevention. There will be many growth
opportunities in both committees and
task forces that will bring these goals to
reality. With your expertise and interest,
SGNA will continue to grow to be the
experts within the GI specialty.
• Prepare yourself for quality leadership
by attaining higher levels of education
to be an expert resource. Demand
excellence and quality in all your actions.
National certification validates your
knowledge and demonstrates your
commitment to excellence. We must
prepare quality minded leaders who
foster an environment in which every
member of the team contributes to
collective success.
As we build quality as our chief focus to
building our professional future, we will be
building extraordinary care for all of our
collaborative partners and professional
peers to look to our practice standards for
our successful evidence-based knowledge
and researched outcomes. I call upon you
all to be involved in this future, to volunteer,
to lead where you stand driving quality
forward. With your courage and your
passion, we have nothing to fear as we
embrace the initiatives that will drive SGNA
into the future.
I look forward to seeing you all in Phoenix
in May 2012!
SGNA News | 11
Periodicals
401 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-4267
Phone: 312/321-5165
Fax: 312/673-6694
800/245-SGNA (7462)
[email protected]
www.sgna.org
Pass It On
Visit the New SGNA Career Center Today!
SGNA’s new Career Center provides added usability for
our job seekers and employers, making it even easier to
connect people together. Check it out today and take
advantage of:
• Free résumé posting
• Access to the National Healthcare Career Network
(NHCN)
• Easily manage job applications
• Ability to save jobs
To jumpstart your career or find the perfect candidate,
visit careers.sgna.org!
12 | Quarter One 2012
Share what’s happening
in our community
Pass along your copy of
SGNA News or leave it
in your unit’s breakroom
so more people in your
unit can celebrate
the SGNA community!