Nursing News Flash

In a study published in the journal Gut Microbes, specialists affiliated with the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics raised questions regarding the safety of probiotics, especially among vulnerable populations. Despite theoretical and proven adverse events from probiotic consumption, according to the authors, research is needed to address gaps.

Far more older adults these days log on to secure websites or apps to connect with their health information or have a virtual health care appointment, compared with five years ago, a new poll shows. Overall, 78 percent of people aged 50 to 80 have used at least one patient portal, up from 51 percent in a poll taken five years ago, according to findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. But the poll also reveals major disparities, with some groups of older adults less likely to use patient portals, or more likely to have concerns about them.

Racial and ethnic health inequities cost the United States economy $451 billion in 2018, a sharp increase from the previous estimate of $320 billion in 2014, according to a new study published in JAMA by Tulane University researchers.

Popular myths continue to influence the way physicians and patients alike think about and engage with chronic pain and the use of opioids, according to a speaker at the 2023 Biologic Therapies Summit.

Richer countries should be asked to better pull their weight in helping the world cope with pandemics, according to a new draft of a treaty being negotiated at the World Health Organization. Countries with more "capacities and resources" should bear a "commensurate degree" of responsibility for preparing for and responding to global health threats, the document, seen by Reuters, suggests.

U.S. health officials are bracing for the possibility that mpox could surge again this summer as cases mount in several states. On May 25, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 21 more cases of mpox, with Illinois, New York and Maryland reporting the most new infections. Illinois had nine, while New York and Maryland reported three each. Several other states — Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Utah and Virginia — each reported one new case, CBS News reported.

The FDA on May 25 granted full approval for Paxlovid, making it the first oral antiviral pill approved by the FDA to treat COVID-19 in adults. "While the pandemic has been challenging for all of us, we have made great progress mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on our lives," Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, director for the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a press release. "Today's approval demonstrates that Paxlovid has met the agency's rigorous standards for safety and effectiveness, and that it remains an important treatment option for people at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including those with prior immunity."

Serious and sustained commitments to improving nurse work environments in hospitals could help lower hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection, according to findings published in Medical Care. Because of their close proximity to patients, nurses are essential resources in efforts to prevent hospital-onset CDI.

The current state of primary care is "fragile and weakening," said Chris Koller, president of the Milbank Memorial Fund in New York City, at a primary care forum May 18. He highlighted conclusions from a report on the health of U.S. primary care, which came out in February.

KSNA is committed to mentoring nursing leaders for today and tomorrow. This year we will begin a series of leadership webinars that may be taken on demand. The KSNA Leadership Series will focus on topics for current and emerging leaders. Quarterly educational sessions will be provided on-demand over the next year: Part 2: Preparing Nurse Leaders for 2030 — Carol Huston, MSN, MPA, DPA, FAAN Available on-demand from July 1-31 Part 3: Nurse Leaders Bridging the Gap: Novice to Expert — Adam Tebben, BSN, RN, CEN Available on-demand from October 1-31 Part 4: Title TBD — Dustin Baker, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, NE Available on-demand from January 1-31, 2024 Register now to participate in the 2023 KSNA Leadership Series! Pre-registration for each part of the series is required. Registration Fees $29.00 KSNA Member $49.00 Non-Member For full details or to register online please visit the KSNA website — click here! Disclosures Successful Completion — Participants must register, participate in the entire educational session, and complete an online evaluation to receive a certificate of completion for each session of the series. Relevant Financial Relationships — This educational activity does not include any content that relates to the products or services of an ineligible company/organization, which would require identification and mitigation. Accreditation 1.0 contact hour per session. The Midwest Multistate Division is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Questions? Please contact Sara Fry at with any questions. We hope you will choose to join us!

While there are many lessons and pieces of advice experienced nurses have for their newer counterparts, nurses with a short time on the job told Becker's that there are some things they wished their would-be mentors knew. But, more than anything else, they want to say "thank you."