Capitol Hill Roundup: President-Elect Speaks at Panel; ONS Members Attend Biden Roundtable

Big change often comes from small beginnings. That’s why our ONS members, staff, and representatives are working every day to bring the fight of the oncology nurse to the forefront of the political world. One of the most important services ONS provides to its members involves advocating for oncology nurses and their patients in the political arenas on Capitol Hill and throughout the country.

President Addresses Precision Medicine at White House Summit

“You can match a blood transfusion to a blood type...what if matching a cancer cure to our genetic code was just as easy, just as standard? What if figuring out the right dose of medicine was as simple as taking our temperature?”

Making Your Voice Heard

During a presidential election year, do you find an increased interest in politics? ONS member Carrie Riccobono, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, OCN®, says she applauds a renewed passion surrounding political campaigns and debates, but she contends it is essential year round.

What Political Issues Will Affect Oncology Nursing in the 2016 Election?

There are three important issues that I’m following in this election year. The first is what political candidates—including in gubernatorial races—propose for continuing to improve healthcare coverage for people in the United States. Nurses need to hold electoral candidates and public officials accountable. If a presidential candidate promises to repeal the Affordable Care Act, we should be asking, “What will you replace it with?” At the state level, not all states adopted Medicaid expansion, but now some governors and gubernatorial candidates of states that did not opt into the expansion are considering it.

Innovative Clinical Trial Designs Lead to New Drug Approvals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration uses clinical trial results to determine whether to approve a new drug for marketing in the United States. Clinical trials are designed to test the safety and efficacy of a drug or combination of drugs to treat a specific type of cancer, such as breast or lung cancer.

How Oncology Nursing Research Impacts Healthcare Policy

Policy advocates and researchers are often conceptualized as separate roles that rarely, if ever, cross. However, in reality many researchers may not have started out as policy advocates, but based on their research findings, or use of research findings in practice, have impacted the world of healthcare policy.

Nurse Involvement in Grassroots Organizations Leads to Healthcare Reform

Reforming health care toward a system that is equitable and sustainable is a priority in national policy. Legislators on Capitol Hill determine healthcare funding priorities, which are key to reform. Nurses need to be part of the conversation for positive change and innovation.

New Hazardous Drug Safe Handling Guidelines May Require Changes for Your Practice

Healthcare workers who prepare and administer hazardous drugs have further incentive to follow the recommended precautions with the February 1, 2016, release of the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention Chapter 800. Find out more about these recommended precautions.

U.S. Cancer Deaths Continue to Drop

Since 1991, the United States has seen deaths related to cancer drop by 23%, according to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS’s) latest Cancer Statistics, 2016, report. Death rates were as high as 215.1 per 100,000 people in the early 1990s. As of 2012, rates have decreased to 166.4 per 100,000, marking a 28% drop in among men and 19% among women.

Be the Change You Want to See in Cancer Care

CHANGE has been a theme throughout my presidency. Think about it. The ONS staff leadership changed, bringing on the third chief executive officer in 40 years. The ONS Board of Directors changed the ONS mission, vision, and core values; developed a strategic plan that aligns with the revisions; and created bylaw changes for members’ vote.
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