SVN...prn Fall 2016 Issue

414.376.0001 info@svnnet.org
...prn
FALL 2016 - Vol 26, No. 3
SVN CELEBRATES VASCULAR NURSING WEEK
Marie Rossi, BS, RN
Vascular Group,
Albany, NY
“Don’t wait for
extraordinary
opportunities;
seize common
occasions and
make them
great.”
- Orison Swett Marden,
writer
IN THIS ISSUE
- Shining A Light
- News from National
- In Memoriam
- Member Spotlight
- Research Corner
- Recent Publications
- PCORI Feature
As Vascular Nurses Week approaches,
(Sept. 11-17) it’s an opportunity to reflect
on why we are members of SVN.
My own decision to join was based on SVN’s
mission to provide a professional community for
nurses to advance the care of persons living with
vascular disease. The excitement I felt at my first
convention, being in awe at the number of vascular
experts the society has to draw from, fueled my
desire to become a speaker and research topics
that enhanced my professional growth. What keeps
me involved at this level is SVN’s vision of being the
premier vascular nursing organization.
A main portion of SVN’s strategic plan includes
the goal to reengage our membership and to
motivate other nurses to become a part of such
a great organization. So how do we motivate new
nurses to buy into our mission? How do we get
them to choose our society over so many others?
What makes us stand out?
One way we engage members and encourage
new growth is through collaborations, “the action
of working with someone to produce or create
something”. Joseph Rain said, “Our greatest strength
lies in collaboration, not competition.” Recently I
had the opportunity to share our vascular world
in Albany with a few nurses from Brigham and
Women’s Hospital in Boston. The goal was a mutual
sharing of ideas in regards to the outpatient and
inpatient hospital setting and the care of vascular
patients. We also spent a few hours talking about
SVN. We shared ideas and established a plan to
create a chapter in Boston. We spoke a lot about
what members want from SVN and how their
chapter could benefit from involvement at the
national level. We also discussed collaborating
on a regional one-day conference that would benefit
both chapters.
The result was overwhelming excitement from their
members and a rejuvenation to go back to Boston
and get their chapter up and running for Vascular
Nurses Week. I believe this is the start of something
every area around the country can do. Reach out to
local area vascular units and invite them to share
your workspace and ideas. Captivate their interest
in SVN and get them to not only join SVN but also
engage them in a plan of action that creates a local
project you can both work towards. Pictures from
the event can be found in the membership section
of this newsletter.
The last key component is retention of our
members. Currently, SVN has 600 members. Of that
600, there are approximately 75 members who are
actively involved in shaping the society as part of the
board, committee or task force.
To continue to be a great organization, SVN needs
many more active members. We need your skills
and expertise. Getting involved in a committee or
task force can help you develop skills, which will
enhance your own professional growth. As Helen
Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we
can do so much.”
We are continually evolving the organization to
attract and retain members by constantly moving
forward toward our vision. This is crucial in
sustaining our society. As Vascular Nurses Week
approaches, I challenge each of you to consider
reaching out to a group of vascular nurses, share
your knowledge and enthusiasm and inspire them to
be “The best they can be with SVN.” #IAMSVN
Respectfully,
Marie Rossi, RN, BS, CVN, SVN President
SVN...prn Editor

VASCULAR NURSES WEEK
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2016
As Vascular Nurses Week approaches,
(September 11-17) it’s an opportunity to
reflect on why we are members of SVN.
My own decision to join was based on SVN’s mission to provide a
professional community for nurses to advance the care of persons
living with vascular disease. The excitement I felt at my first convention,
being in awe at the number of vascular experts the society has to draw
from, fueled my desire to become a speaker and research topics that
enhanced my professional growth. What keeps me involved at this level
is SVN’s vision of being the premier vascular nursing organization.
The strength and foundation of the organization can be found in YOU,
its members. During this special week, I personally want to thank you for
all that you do for our patients. You advance their care through research,
education, and the daily provision of evidenced based clinical practice.
You embody the core principles that SVN was founded on in 1982.
We are continually evolving the organization to attract and retain
members by constantly moving forward toward our vision. As Vascular
Nurses Week approaches, I challenge each of you to consider reaching
out to a group of vascular nurses, share your knowledge and enthusiasm
and inspire them to be “The best they can be with SVN.” Join the global
celebration and share your story/passion/love for job during Vascular
Nursing Week by using the hashtag #IAMSVN.
Thank you for passion and commitment in advancing the care of
persons living with vascular disease!
Marie Rossi
SVN President

Shining a Light on Vascular Nursing:
A Teaching Moment
Successful Case Study on How to Implement Vascular Nurses Week
Activities at Your Institution.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Cardiovascular Unit; Boston, MA
Fernanda Trevisone, RN-BC, BSN,
BA; Anabelen Contreras, RN, BSN,
BS; Karen Hanrahan, RN, BSN, BS;
Denise Fay, RN, BSN
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Recognizing vascular nursing at
Brigham and Women’s Hospital,
Jeanne Doyle, the founder of the
Society of Vascular Nursing, was a
catalyst in obtaining the Governor
of Massachusetts to proclaim
the second week of June 2014 as
Vascular Nurse’s Week. With the
support and encouragement of
our nursing leadership and as a
highly trained specialty area at a
large academic medical center,
we sought to celebrate and
educate the public about issues
surrounding vascular disease.
HOW IT CAME TO FRUITION
With only less than a week to
prepare for our event, we quickly
gathered a group of nurses
to take on this endeavor. We
designed posters about vascular
diseases, a “Getting To Know”
staff poster, we scavenged for
educational pamphlets on PVD/
PAD, Diabetes, AAA, smoking
cessation, high blood pressure,
carotid artery stenosis, healthy
eating, etc. In addition, we visited
our vascular clinic and medical
library for models and textbooks
to display. We reached out to our
vascular surgeons and invited
them to visit our tabling event.
Some provided us with actual
stents, grafts, IVC filters and
business cards.
We petitioned and received an
additional proclamation from the
mayor of Boston. Our Nursing
Director, Alice O’Brien, was very
supportive and increased the staff
on the day of the event so that
everyone could participate and be
part of the celebration.
EVENT SUMMARY
Tables located in a high traffic
area of the hospital were set up
containing a variety of pamphlets,
models, handouts and giveaways.
Patients, visitors and hospital staff
were among those who visited
the event. We provided doppler
pulse checks and blood pressure
screenings with one blood
pressure reading leading to an
Emergency Department referral.
Teaching was a big component of
the day! We found that many of
the people who stopped by had
very good questions regarding
vascular disease. Many people
shared personal stories of their
own experiences.
RESULTS
Not only do we feel this event
increased collaboration and
relationship between doctors and
nurses, but ultimately the patients
and visitors were very grateful
and appreciated the education.
Other departments in the hospital
expressed their wishes to be
included in future Vascular
Nurse’s Week celebrations.
We became involved with the
Society of Vascular Nursing and
submitted an abstract for the SVN
Conference Poster Presentations
to showcase our event. We
were thrilled to find out that our
abstract had been accepted. Due
to the overwhelming positive
response from patients, staff and
visitors, we created a committee
to focus on making a collaborative
annual event.
www.svnnet.org

News
From National
VASCULAR NURSES WEEK
SEPTEMBER 11-17, 2016
SVN Receives
Educational Grant
SVN received an educational grant from
Gore to support the advancement of SVN’s
educational strategic priorities including:
technology improvements for SVN online
learning modules, launching the SVN Vascular
Nursing Tool Kit and Wound Care Learning
Modules, expanding nursing and patient
education resources and training and
developing podcasts.
View the SVN thank you video on the
SVN YouTube Channel here.
Vascular Nurses Week:
September 11-17
Celebrate Vascular Nursing Week,
September 11-17, 2016. North Carolina and
Indiana have formally declared this week as
Vascular Nursing Week. Public Policy Chair,
Patty Flanagan has applied to 36 states and
the White House requesting them to make
the same proclamation.
Visit www.svnnet.org for resources and ideas
on how to celebrate this special week.
SVN Launches
Donation Platform
SVN’s mission is to advance the care of persons
living with vascular disease and now you have
the opportunity to join the cause. There are a
number of ways to show your support for the
nurses working tirelessly to provide a better
quality of life for those affected by vascular
disease. By contributing to the Mission
Advancement, 35th Anniversary Celebration
or Memorial/Tribute campaign, you’ll help
ensure that our work continues.
Learn more.
SVN October Board Meeting
The SVN Board will be meeting for a strategic
planning session in Albany, NY on October 9-11.
The board will host an inaugural Meet and Greet:
An Evening with the Vascular Presidents event.
The event will be co-hosted by SVN President,
Marie Rossi and Society for Vascular Surgeons
President-Elect Dr. Clem Darling.
www.svnnet.org

In Memoriam
Jane C. Frasca
April 16, 1939 - July 28, 2016
It is with a very heavy heart that
I write to let you know of the
recent death of Jane Frasca. She
passed away peacefully on July
28, surrounded by her family. She
is survived by her husband of 56
years, Tom, their three children and
spouses, and 7 grandchildren.
Jane was a vascular nurse clinician
at New England Deaconess Hospital
(currently Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center) in Boston, MA for
many years. In her lengthy career,
she taught many nurses and
physicians about compassionate
care of patients with vascular
disease.
Jane was the inaugural recipient
of the Jeanne E. Doyle Award in
Toronto in 1987, served on SVN’s
Board of Directors, and served as
Society President from 1994-1995.
Jane’s active leadership helped to
shape the mission and vision of
SVN in our formative years, and she
remained committed to the Society
for more than 30 years. She was so
full of life and her wonderful sense
of humor and infectious laugh
brought smiles to so many of us.
I have heard from many of you
and want to share the sentiments
of Past President’s Patty Lewis,
Carolyn Robinson, and Mitzi Ekers,
who captured Jane’s essence so
eloquently:
“I will always remember Jane as a
kind and witty woman who was a
devoted nurse and very dedicated
to SVN. She was absolutely thrilled
to be asked back to the Board after
her retirement, even expressing
astonishment that the Society
would want her back ‘at my age.’
Her smile and positive personality
brought warmth and sincerity to
any encounter.”
– Patty Lewis
“Jane was one of my idols in SVN. I
was the one that very much wanted
her to rejoin the Board that year
she agreed to come back. I had
met her when she was President
and I was so impressed by her
Presidential presentation. This
is a great loss to SVN. She was a
wonderful woman!!”
- Carolyn Robinson
“Jane was so full of life and laughter.
Every time I think of Jane, a smile
spreads across my face. A word
she used often when describing
someone or some crazy event was
“It was such a HOOT!” Well Jane
Frasca was such a HOOT, keeping
us in tears of laughter as she told
incredible stories of situations
only she could get herself into.
From the height of hilarity to the
depths of her endless compassion
for patients, friends, family and
everyone she met; that was Jane
and I will miss her dearly. So much
of what SVN is today is because of
her enthusiastic efforts.”
- Mitzi Ekers
Jane was my convention “hotel
roommate” for 20+ years and we
often talked into the wee hours
of the morning about SVN, family
and life in general. I attended the
celebration of her life mass on
Saturday, August 13, and during his
eulogy, her son Scott spoke of how
much SVN meant to her!
In this 35th SVN anniversary year,
I respectfully ask you to consider
making a donation to the Society
in Jane’s memory. She would be
so honored to be remembered
in this special way.
With sadness but a heart full of
fond memories,
Jeanne Doyle
Founding President, SVN (1982-1986)
Memorial
Donations
click here
www.svnnet.org

MEMBERSHIP corner
Collaboration at the Albany
Vascular Center in Albany, NY.
Collaboration picture taken at the Albany
Vascular Center in Albany, NY. The vascular
group angio suite had nurses from the inpt
and outpt side angio nurses C6 and M5
nurses and their CNS and PA.
Left to Right Marie Rossi,Murniyati
Rapsen,Anabelen Contreras,Karen
Hanrahan, Karen Fitzgerald
Murniyati Rapsen from Sinapore
with Marie Rossi
Keith Ware from Rooke

SAVE THE DATE
35 th ANNUAL CONVENTION
APRIL 4-7, 2017
Loews Vanderbilt Nashville, Tennessee
ANNIVERSARY

Research Corner
STATISTICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
By: Kathleen Rich, PhD, RN, CCNS,
CCRN-CSC, CNN
Cardiovascular Clinical Specialist
La Porte Hospital
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines
“significance” as the quality of being
important or having notable worth or
influence. 1 Nurses consider evidencebased
practice (EBP) as the foundation
upon which care is delivered. Research
is one of the cornerstones supporting
EBP. In quantitative research, (also
known as the scientific method) there
is typically objective gathering of
numeric information by some type of
formal measurement tool. 2 Quantitative
research study results are described as
statistically significant. Study findings
are publicized as being clinically
significant. What is the difference
between statistical significance and
clinical significance?
Statistical significance measures how
likely that any apparent differences in
the observed results between treatment
and control groups are real and not due
to chance. Statistical tests are designed
to test hypotheses (or research
questions) in quantitative research. One
of the most commonly used measures
in all statistical tests is the probability
or p-value. In statistics, a p-value helps
you determine mathematically the
significance of your results. A p-value
ranges from 0 to 1. Many researchers
select a small p-value (< 0.05) as the
cut-off indicator number indicating
statistically significant findings. This
translates into the results obtained
were probably true. Simplistically, this
means that only 5 times out of 100 the
obtained results would be false. 2
Clinical significance (also known as
clinical importance) is related to the
practicality of the study findings. Clinical
significance measures how large the
differences in treatment effects are
in clinical practice. Basically, is the
difference between the new treatment
and the old treatment found in the
study substantial enough to alter your
practice? There is no one single method
to determine clinical significance.
Examining confidence intervals instead
of significance levels is one method.
Confidence intervals show the range of
results within where the value is likely
to lie. For example, a study showed
a statistically significant impact (p <
0.02) of the effects of music therapy
on reducing systolic BP compared to
controls. The mean reduction was 7 mm
Hg (95% CI 4, 10). Instead of significance
testing telling us that this study result
could have occurred 2% of the time by
chance alone (the p < 0.02), confidence
intervals tell us what our best guess
is for the size of the population effect;
95% of the time. Other statistics that
may be used to assist in determining
clinical significance are calculating the
number needed to treat and relative risk
reduction. 4
However, statistics are only an assist
in determining clinical significance.
The practitioner must utilize clinical
judgment when considering the benefit
magnitude and side effects between the
two treatments. 5 The financial impact
to the healthcare institution, clinician
and patient (especially if it is a longterm
therapy) must also be considered.
Clinical significance encompasses not
only statistical significance, but the
importance of evaluating the outcomes
to patients, clinicians, healthcare
institutions and policymakers.
Reference:
1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
Merriam-Webster, Inc. 2015. Available
at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/
dictionary/significance. Accessed
7-29-16.
2. Polit, D., Beck, C. Essentials of nursing
research (7th Ed). 2010. Philadelphia:
Wolters Kleuwer/Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins
3. Burns, N., Grove, S. Understanding
nursing research (5th Ed). 2011.
Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
4. Leung, D. Balancing statistical and
clinical significance in evaluating
treatment effects. Postgrad Med J
2001; 77: 201-204.
5. Brignardello-Petersen, R., Carrasco-
Labra, A., Azarpazhooh, A. A
practitioner’s guide to developing
critical appraisal skills: what is the
difference between clinical and
statistical significance? J Am Dent
Assoc 2013; 144(7): 780-786.
www.svnnet.org

Recent
PUBLICATIONS
ABrekelmans MP, Bleker SM,
Bauersachs R, et al. Clinical impact
and course of major bleeding
with edoxaban versus vitamin K
antagonists. Thromb Haemost. 2016
Mar 24;116(1).
Cahill K, Lindson-Hawley N, Thomas
KH, et al. Nicotine receptor partial
agonists for smoking cessation.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 May
9;5:CD006103.
Ennis H, Hughes M, Anderson ME,
et al. Calcium channel blockers for
primary Raynaud`s phenomenon.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Feb
25;2:CD002069.
Gajic-Veljanoski O, Phua CW, Shah
PS, et al. Effects of Long-Term
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin on
Fractures and Bone Density in Non-
Pregnant Adults: A Systematic Review
With Meta-Analysis. J Gen Intern Med.
2016 Feb 19.
Karlson BW, Palmer MK, Nicholls SJ,
et al. A VOYAGER Meta-Analysis of
the Impact of Statin Therapy on Low-
Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and
Triglyceride Levels in Patients With
Hypertriglyceridemia. Am J Cardiol.
2016 Feb 17. pii: S0002-9149(16)30224-7.
Martinelli I, Lensing AW, Middeldorp
S, et al. Recurrent venous
thromboembolism and abnormal
uterine bleeding with anticoagulant
and hormone therapy use. Blood. 2016
Mar 17;127(11):1417-25.
Rothwell PM, Algra A, Chen Z, et
al. Effects of aspirin on risk and
severity of early recurrent stroke
after transient ischaemic attack and
ischaemic stroke: time-course analysis
of randomised trials. Lancet. 2016 May
18. pii: S0140-6736(16)30468-8.
Salisbury C, O`Cathain A, Thomas
C, et al. Telehealth for patients at
high risk of cardiovascular disease:
pragmatic randomised controlled trial.
BMJ. 2016 Jun 1;353:i2647.
Sandberg K, Kleist M, Falk L, et al.
Effects of Twice-Weekly Intense Aerobic
Exercise in Early Subacute Stroke: A
Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch
Phys Med Rehabil.
2016 Feb 19.
Semlitsch T, Jeitler K, Berghold A, et al.
Long-term effects of weight-reducing
diets in people with hypertension.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Mar
2;3:CD008274.
Stewart S, Wiley JF, Ball J, et al.
Impact of Nurse-Led, Multidisciplinary
Home-Based Intervention on Event-
Free Survival Across the Spectrum of
Chronic Heart Disease: Composite
Analysis of Health Outcomes in 1226
Patients From 3 Randomized Trials.
Circulation. 2016 May 10;133(19):
1867-77.
Uchiyama S, Ishizuka N, Shimada K,
et al. Aspirin for Stroke Prevention in
Elderly Patients With Vascular Risk
Factors: Japanese Primary Prevention
Project. Stroke. 2016 Jun;47(6):1605-11.
Williamson JD, Supiano MA, Applegate
WB, et al. Intensive vs Standard Blood
Pressure Control and Cardiovascular
Disease Outcomes in Adults Aged
>/=75 Years: A Randomized Clinical
Trial. JAMA. 2016 May 19.
Wong GW, Boyda HN, Wright JM Blood
pressure lowering efficacy of beta-1
selective beta blockers for primary
hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst
Rev. 2016 Mar 10;3:CD007451.
____________________________________
Janice D. Nunnelee PhD RN
Practice and Research Committee
414.376.0001 info@svnnet.org

PCORI feature
LOOKING FOR A FEW ‘GOOD’ VASCULAR PATIENTS
— OR THEIR CAREGIVERS
“Researcher” is often synonymous
with PhDs, academics, scientists,
and clinicians. But the definition of
‘researcher’ is expanding to include
a new type of collaborator— the
Patient Advisor.
“Researcher” is often synonymous
with PhDs, academics, scientists,
and clinicians. But the definition of
‘researcher’ is expanding to include
a new type of collaborator— the
Patient Advisor.
“Not only do individual patients
know what’s right for their own
health, they often have insights
that can help patients with similar
conditions get better care,”
says Adrienne Faerber, PhD, Associate
Director of Academic Affairs, MHCDS,
and lecturer at The Dartmouth Institute,
who is leading a new collaborative to
cultivate Patient Advisors to advance
vascular research and care.
The collaboration of The Dartmouth
Institute for Health Policy and Clinical
Practice, Society for Vascular Surgery,
The Society for Vascular Nursing and the
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Institute (PCORI) will train patients or
their caregivers in principles of vascular
medicine, clinical research, and the
skills necessary to be a Patient Advisor,
including how to review patientcentered
research proposals and share
their personal experiences. Following
the course, the project will connect
Patient Advisors with researchers to
foster new-patient centered research
projects.
The collaborative is asking SVN
members to help identify and recruit
vascular patients or their caregivers
for the project, in keeping with SVN’s
mission to promote excellence in clinical
practice, education and research to
advance vascular care.
“Help us get the word out in the vascular
community about this opportunity for
vascular patients to become partners in
research by sharing their experiences in
a highly focused and meaningful way,”
Faerber said.
Designed to allow participants to work
at their own pace, the online course
will cover three topics: foundations of
vascular medicine, principles of patientcentered
outcomes research, and
how to collaborate with researchers.
Participants will watch videos, read
articles, and engage in activities to
reinforce the weekly material.
Participants should have experience
with vascular disease, be Internet-savvy,
with regular access to e-mail, and be
curious and insightful.
Upon completion of the course, patient
advisors will be able to apply for a
grant to attend the Society for Vascular
Surgery’s Annual Meeting scheduled for
June of 2017 in San Diego, Calif.
For more information, visit
PatientAdvisorsCourse.com.
414.376.0001 info@svnnet.org

600 Members
Founded
in 1982
Demographics
55% of SVN members
are educationally
prepared at the
baccalaureate
level or higher
25% hold
masters degrees
3% are prepared at
the doctoral level
55%
25%
3%
Mission:
To provide a professional
community for nurses focused
on advancing the care of
persons living with vascular
disease through excellence
in evidence based practice
and education.
74%
Members work
in a wide variety
of vascular patient
care roles:
74% provide direct
patient care in
collaboration with
their vascular surgeons
and vascular medicine
physicians;
12% 12% are in education
5% 5% are in research.
3 Publications
• Journal of Vascular Nursing
• Core Curriculum for
Vascular Nursing
• Scope and Standards of
Vascular Nursing Practice
Patient Resources
7 Patient Education Booklets
6 Patient Education Fact Sheets
4 Online Education Courses
2 Position Statements
16
Chapters
2015 launched the SVN Dare to
Make A Difference Challenge to
increase social media engagement
8 Collaborative Partnerships
712 Facebook Likes
34 years of Annual Conventions
674 Twitter Followers
26 Certified Ankle-Brachial
Index Trainers
Over 9,000 website visitors monthly
12 States proclaim 2nd week of
September as Vascular Nurses Week
N83 W13410 Leon Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051
414-376-0001 • info@svnnet.org • www.svnnet.org

REGISTER TODAY!
SEPT
18 -22, 2016
WYNN LAS VEGAS
GLOBAL
LIVE CASES
MULTISPECIALTY
EDUCATION
FELLOWS
PROGRAM
VIRTUAL
PARTICIPATION
Witness the most
challenging cases from
around the globe
Leading experts from
over 35 countries representing
all vascular specialties
U.S. physicians-in-training
attend complimentary and present
at a world-class conference
Interaction with VIVA faculty and
attendees, resources, presentations
and other conference tools
Come early for The VEINS!
September 17-18, 2016
WWW.VIVAPHYSICIANS.ORG
@VIVAPhysicians
#VIVAPVD
THE GLOBAL EDUCATION COURSE FOR VASCULAR MEDICINE AND INTERVENTION