Fall Nursing Conference

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

 7:30 am

Welcome and Overview

 7:35

Raymond Plank Keynote Lecture:
"Taking Control of Your Health in the New Era of Personalized Medicine" (PDF)

Health care today remains a top-down, doctor-driven system where individuals are often bit players in their own health decisions. We’re bombarded with health warnings, medical advice, and scientific research. What we lack is a way to process this information and successfully integrate it into our lives. Thomas Goetz, who holds a Master of Public Health degree from UC Berkeley, brings together compelling new science and cutting-edge technology to propose a new strategy for thinking about our health, where individuals are at the center of the equation.

 9:15

"Review of New Cardiovascular Medication Therapies and a Refresher on Anticoagulation" (PDF)

The field of cardiovascular therapy is dynamic. Best practices and preferred treatments change and evolve as new medical literature is released. This session will help keep attendees up-to-speed with the increased use of newer therapies such as prasugrel and dronaderone and offer an update on the evolving literature regarding clopidogrel. This presentation will also feature a brief refresher on injectable anticoagulants.

10:00

"Women and Heart Disease: Underrecognized, Underdiagnosed and Undertreated" (PDF)

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claimed the lives of more than 500,000 women last year (more than all forms of cancer combined), and an estimated 1 in 2 women will eventually die of heart disease or stroke. Nonetheless, CVD remains significantly under recognized, under diagnosed and under treated in women. In April, Minneapolis Heart Institute, Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota hosted a Women’s Heart Health Summit. Dr. Bobra’s will summarize key issues from that summit, discuss prevention and clinical care strategies tailored to women, and identify the next key steps in research and practice that will effect heart disease in women.

10:45

"Virtual Reality Technology To Deliver Real Life Professional Nursing and Medical Education" (PDF)

Virtual reality technology can provide a vast range of educational experiences, including creating resident avatars that explore, participate in group activities, and interact with others in a synchronous online format. Virtual reality technology is being used as a platform by many educational institutions, medical centers, and programs to enhance learning and many educators believe this virtual world provides a more personal experience than traditional learning.

12:15 pm

"Vitamin D Deficiency: Misconceptions and Solutions" (PDF)

Vitamin D can make a big difference in patient health. The incidence of vitamin D deficiency is alarmingly high, especially in northern areas such as Minnesota. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked with impaired immune function, increased frailty in the elderly, chronic inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, Type II diabetes and many other ailments. With the many misconceptions about the need for vitamin D, as well as confusion regarding proper clinical care of patients with vitamin D deficiency, this is a topic that will impact nursing practice. This session will explore the issue of vitamin D deficiency, explain common misconceptions and offer treatment solutions.

1:00

"Delirium (Acute Confusion) in Hospitalized Patients" (PDF)

Delirium (acute confusion) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality that affects more than 2.3 million older hospitalized patients and accounts for more than $4 billion annually in Medicare expenditures. Patients who experience delirium while hospitalized are more likely to have adverse reactions to medications, acquire hospital infections, fall, develop pressure ulcers, and have longer hospital stays compared to patients who do not develop delirium. This session will provide an overview of delirium including causes, prevention strategies, treatment options, and pharmacological management.

2:00

"Heart Failure: Emerging Research on Medications, Devices, and Stem Cell Angiogenesis" (PDF)

Recent advances in technology, drug therapies and interventions have improved outcomes for patients with heart failure. However, even with these improvements in treatment, we must not lose sight of the importance of early intervention and primary care in managing heart failure. David Feldman, MD, PhD, will review some of the challenges related to this topic and offer a solution for how cardiologists and primary care physicians can work together to aggressively manage early stage heart disease and improve outcomes.

2:45

Closing Keynote:
"My Life: A Balance Between Successes and Failures" (PDF)

John Mrachek, MD
Anesthesiologist, Abbott Northwestern Hospital

What is meant by the term “work/life balance”? How can nurses and other healthcare professionals seek fulfillment in their personal lives while also performing at a high level in their careers? In this session, learn about balance from someone in the trenches. Dr. John Mrachek will explore strategies for finding happiness and fulfillment at work and at play.