Dear Colleague,

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of September 11th, approximately 1,179,554 people have died from chronic disease this year. Chronic diseases can also cause major limitations in daily living and are a leading cause of disability.

So what are these chronic diseases? Heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis are well-known chronic conditions, but chronic disease can really be defined as any condition that cannot be cured.  Prevention (although not all chronic conditions are preventable) and effective management are key to maintaining quality of life and reducing healthcare costs.

Take some time to read up on related articles and the chronic diseases highlighted in our More Resources. Also, fine tune your knowledge with our newest crossword puzzle, I can’t fight this feeling.

Look for our next issue for National Breast Cancer Awareness month, plus new articles and CEs!

Primary Immunodeficiency Disease: A Model for Case Management of Chronic Disease Interventions to Promote Physical Activity in Chronically Ill Adults Parents and Children with Cystic Fibrosis Depression Revealed: The Need for Screening, Treatment, and Monitoring Patients' Perspective of Factors Influencing Quality of Life While Living With Crohn Disease Pain Management in Advanced Illness and Comorbid Substance Use Disorder Validation of the Braden Self-Help Model in Women With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Lisa Bonsall, MSN, RN, CRNP
Clinical Editor

Did you know that we have 2 featured journals this month? The current issues of Advances in Neonatal Care and Holistic Nursing Practice are free online until 9/30/10.

Don't miss this month's editorial from Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! Read CE Requirements and You and then visit our CEConnection to help you meet your continuing education needs.

Read advice from our nurse colleagues and leave some advice of your own. Join the conversation in our Facebook discussion: Advice for nursing students.

Check out the latest posts by our nurses on NursingCenter's In the Round:

• Where should "acute care" issues be treated?
• Top 10 reasons to work a holiday shift
• Another flu season is just around the corner
• Warning of vaccine administration errors

Patients with severe cognitive impairment, language barriers, or communication difficulties present special challenges for pain assessment at end-of-life. Learn practical skills and essential tools to assess and record pain intensity by reading 7 Tools to Assist Hospice and Home Care Clinicians in Pain Management at End of Life.
Home Healthcare Nurse
(2.4 contact hours)

It's hard to believe that even today most care is still based on anecdote, not evidence. Nurse leaders need to become fluent in gathering and interpreting evidence so that they can formulate an implementation plan to translate knowledge into practice. Don't miss The Evidence That Isn't... Interpreting Research.
Nursing Management
(1.6 contact hours)

Also know as the "unvoiced symptom," fecal incontinence can be both emotionally and socially debilitating. Discover strategies for uncovering and managing this prevalent condition by examining Conservative Management of Fecal Incontinence.
AJN, American Journal of Nursing
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Review our Recommended CE list on ...transapical valves, bringing comfort to Haiti, acute spinal cord injury...