Living with cancer, smallpox shots, help for self-injurers

By Carol Lindsay, RN
February 11, 2003

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.

Healthy hospitals

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.

Vaccination protocol

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.

Surviving self-harm

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.

Body guards

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.