Education

Train nurses for all crises, not just Ebola, experts say

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By ERIC FREEDMAN
Capital News Service
LANSING – The spread of Ebola to health care workers in the United States and the attack of enterovirus D68 among American children are drawing headlines, but nursing experts say both developments highlight the need for up-to-date training and preparation of nurses and hospitals for more than a single crisis. The broader question is improving quality and safety for both nurses and patients., said Donald Wasserman, the communications manager at the Michigan Center for Nursing in Okemos. The nonprofit center is a health-promotion organization for nurses and other health care professionals they work with. “One of our big initiatives is advancing nursing education and achieving a’ triple aim’ goal, Wasserman said: reduce health costs, improve the outcome for patients and enhance the health of “the community as a whole.”
Meanwhile, nursing programs across the state are incorporating the latest developments and treatments in what they teach their students. “We live in a world today where new diseases can come up,” said Karen Allen, director of Andrew University’s School of Nursing in Berrien Springs.

Health

Travelers head to Africa despite Ebola concerns

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By RUTH KRUG
Capital News Service
LANSING — For Michigan State University students and Lansing-area immigrants from West Africa planning to travel there, the Ebola virus raises a similar reaction: stay healthy and hopeful. With more than 3,400 deaths so far, the World Health Organization has declared the outbreak in West Africa a public health emergency of international concern. Hardest hit are Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, with other cases reported in Nigeria and Senegal. How might the virus impact students who plan to study or research in Africa or community residents who plan to travel there? John Metzler, the assistant director for outreach and programming at the MSU African Studies Center, said, “The likelihood of an American getting malaria is more likely than Ebola, but the university is advising students to stay healthy, and have an emergency prevention plan.”
Ben Chamberlain, the university’s international health and safety analyst, said no university study abroad programs have been cancelled yet.