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The Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City was
founded with the mission to "understand cancer
from its beginnings, to use that knowledge in the creation
and improvement of cancer treatments, to relieve the
suffering of cancer patients and to educate the public
about cancer risk, prevention and care."
Its Web site [www.hci.utah.edu]
offers access to the Huntsman online patient education
guide, which contains more than 3,000 pieces of information
about the latest in cancer treatment technologies, such
as interleukin-2 and gene therapy and includes fact
sheets on medications.
Brochures, medical journal articles and information
about the latest treatment and research can be printed.
The site also provides links to information about cancer
research, including a list of clinical trials and overviews.
The Sustainable Hospital Project is a work of the Lowell
Center for Sustainable Production. The center develops,
studies and promotes environmentally sound systems of
production, healthy work environments and economically
viable work organizations.
The center's Web site, www.sustainablehospitals.org,
provides information about safe needle devices and alternatives
to products that contain toxins, such as mercury, latex
and polyvinyl chloride. Visitors can use provided information
to evaluate the environmental health of their hospital
and learn about steps that can be taken to reduce harmful
practices.
Smallpox vaccines are available for nurses in many
areas of the country, and hospitals are asking nurses
to volunteer to receive immunizations. Because it has
been decades since nurses have been asked to administer
smallpox immunizations, most are unfamiliar with the
process.
An up-to-date CDC site [www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/vaccination/acip-recs-oct2002.asp]
provides the latest information about appropriate vaccination
procedures.
The site lists specific information about contraindications
for immunization, along with other vaccines that can
be administered simultaneously.
Because the smallpox vaccine is live, the area around
the vaccination site may have drainage and those immunized
will need to follow guidelines for postvaccination care
and dressing to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Those vaccinated or vaccinating will need to pay careful
attention to their handwashing practices.
Designed to provide information to educate and help
those who intentionally injure themselves, "Self-Injury:
You Are Not the Only One" [www.palace.net/~llama/
psych/injury.html] provides information about diagnoses
associated with self-injury and appropriate nursing
diagnoses for self-injurers. The site also provides
insight for those who care for self-injurers.
Site author Debra Martinson, an advocate for those
who self-injure, has formulated a bill of rights for
those who engage in self-harm behaviors and seek medical
attention.
Martinson based the rights on a collection of accounts
of self-injurers who have had negative experiences with
medical and mental health personnel.
The International Health Care Worker Safety Center
at the University of Virginia Health System is dedicated
to the prevention of occupational transmission of bloodborne
pathogens. The center conducts epidemiological research
on needlesticks and bloodborne exposures.
Its Web site [www.med.virginia.edu/epinet]
lists resources that can assist health care facilities
in complying with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's bloodborne pathogen requirements.
The site lists the current bills and legislation related
to needlestick safety and prevention along with updates,
fact sheets, the cost of needlesticks and blood exposure
and a list of safety devices designed to prevent blood
and body fluid exposure.
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