November 2018 Newsletter
ADPH'S Electronic Death Registration System Released
The new version of the Electronic Death Registration System was released on Wednesday, November 14 th , which includes the new CRNP and CNM roles. We are ready to register CRNPs and CNMs so they can certify death certificates electronically. The  CRNP/CNM User Agreement  can be found at  alabamapublichealth.gov/edrs under “Requesting Access.” The form must be completed in its entirety and faxed to the number shown on the form. 

Once registered, the new user will receive an email containing their user name and temporary password. Instructions for certifying the cause of death can be found at the same website under “Training.” They should refer to the documents titled:  EDRS Training Medical Certifiers  and  Supplemental Medical Certification. 

Questions about registering for EDRS should be directed to the Help Desk at 334-206-2754.
Barriers to NP Practice
As we, Alabama NPs, look to the future for expanding our scope of practice, we ALL must be knowledgeable to be able to discuss with the medical community and our patients as to why we need loosening of restrictions will result in improved access to care for all our patients. This is a long read, but it will provide you with excellent information for the future.
 
The  Hamilton Project  (HP) discusses the role of scope of practice laws as they pertain to PAs and APRNs, the issues surrounding these restrictions on practice, the anticompetitive barriers these restrictions create, and the evidence regarding their effects. The HP reviews the scope of practice restrictions and how they affect both health-care spending and outcomes, as at present overall focus is on efficiency and the competitiveness of health-care markets. The HP argues that shifting spending away from physician to APP services through a loosening of anticompetitive scope of practice barriers is a viable and desirable policy route for the United States.

SAVE THE DATE: 13th Annual NPAA Conference
"Future of Health Care...Your Voice Matters to Your Patients and Your Profession"
October 4-5, 2019
Difference between Full Practice and Reduced Practice
The state of AL is considered a reduced practice state. This means that the state practice and licensure laws reduce the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care, or it limits the setting of one or more elements of NP practice.

What would Full Practice Authority (FPA) provide the NPs of our state? State practice and licensure laws permit all NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments, including prescribing medications and controlled substances, under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing. This is the model recommended by the National Academy of Medicine, formerly called the Institute of Medicine, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

To begin discussion of FPA we need strength in numbers. A membership in NPAA is $100 dollars– a small amount of money to be able to practice fully in our role. Please consider membership!
Doctor sitting at office desk and working on his laptop with medical equipment all around top view
GOLD Guidelines for treating COPD

According to the CDC approximately 10% of adults in Alabama have a diagnosis of COPD meaning that most NPs in the state will see a patient with COPD on a weekly, or daily, basis.
Follow the link to view the 2018 GOLD Report on treatment and management of COPD.  https://goldcopd.org/gold-reports
Join the Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama!
The Nurse Practitioner Alliance of Alabama (NPAA) is the professional organization that represents the State’s nurse practitioners (NPs) and students enrolled in NP programs. The mission of NPAA is to promote high quality healthcare for Alabama’s citizens. All NPs and NP students in Alabama are urged to join NPAA. For more information, visit  http://www.npalliancealabama.org.