Equashield Appoints Nurse Advisory Council

PORT WASHINGTON, New York, August 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Equashield (www.equashield.com), a leading provider of Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTDs) for hazardous drugs, announced today it has appointed a nurse advisory council comprised of ten top nurses from around the United States. The council's goal will be to develop strategies to increase nurses' awareness of issues around occupational exposure to hazardous drugs including many antineoplastic agents, occupational safety, and closed systems for hazardous drug transfer.

"As a leading player in the CSTD space, we have a choice between simply selling our product or taking responsibility for helping nurses around the world understand how to protect themselves in the face of the occupational hazards of their work," said Marino Kriheli, Co-Founder of Equashield. "This is an important step for the protection of nurses around the world who work with hazardous drugs."

Studies link exposure to hazardous drugs, such as potent chemotherapy agents, to increased risks of adverse health effects in health care workers, including nurses. Exposure occurs through contact with drug residue on syringes and work surfaces, and contact with aerosols and vapor while preparing and administering such drugs.

The Equashield Nurse Advisory Council (NAC) is holding a two-day meeting in Great Neck, NY, serving as an official kick-off for its activities and initiatives. Among the topics that will be discussed are "The Current status and future direction of Safe Handling," and "Nurses' perceived issues, barriers, and strategies around adoption and use of Closed Systems for Hazardous Drug Transfer."                                                              

The Equashield NAC is comprised of the following renowned nursing professionals:

-Marianne Davies, DNP, ACNP, AOCNP®: Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Yale, Smilow Cancer Center 4-Multidisciplinary Clinic, New Haven, CT. She is a contributor to sections of the Oncology Nursing Society publication, Clinical Manual for the Oncology Advanced Practice Nurse (© 2014)

-Tara Donnelly, RN, BSN: Clinical Coordinator, Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Outpatient Chemotherapy Infusion Center, Overlook Medical Center, Summit, NJ. She is Certified Greenbelt in 2 Six Sigma projects. She received the ONENJ (Organization of Nursing Executives of NJ) Aspiring Nurse Leader Award 2013, and recognized for Clinical Excellence by Nursing 2014.

-Seth Eisenberg, RN, ADN, OCN® (Co-Chairman): Professional Practice Coordinator, Infusion Services, Seattle Cancer Alliance, Seattle, WA. Published author; national and international lecturer. Mr. Eisenberg contributes to an ongoing working group initiated in 2011, to guide implementation after Washington State passed legislation adopting NIOSH Guidelines for Safe Handling.

-Erica A. Fischer-Cartlidge, MSN, RN, CBCN:  Clinical Nurse Specialist, Outpatient Breast Medical Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.  She mentors clinical nurses in project development, abstract writing, and presenting, serves as principal investigator for nursing clinical trial examining teaching methods for subcutaneous injections and is liaison between the institution and New York State regarding Clinical Nurse Specialist licensure legislation.

-Pamela J. Haylock, PhD, RN, FAAN (Co-Chairwoman): Oncology nurse consultant and educator, Medina, TX & Adjunct Faculty, Schreiner University RN to BSN Nursing Program, Kerrville, TX. Past President of Oncology Nursing Society, Recipient of Distinguished Alumni Awards from University of Iowa College of Nursing, and University of Iowa Alumni Association. Inducted as Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, in 2011.

-Kerry Hennessy: RN, MSN, AOCN:  Clinical Nurse Specialist for Center for Clinical and Professional Development at Dana Farber Cancer Institute.   Over 20 years of oncology experience which included much staff education.  Presents locally, nationally and internationally on Palliative Care, Cancer Pain, Breast Cancer, Safe Handling of Chemotherapy, Cancer Epidemiology and Supportive Care.

-Robert Massey, PhD, MS, RN, NEA-BC:  Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, and Director, Clinical Nursing,  The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Dr. Massey served in both the US Air Force and was a US Army nurse before returning to civilian life. Leads research efforts in variety of areas, and is manager of clinical nursing services that include monitoring of chemotherapy administration and safe handling techniques.

-MiKaela Olsen, MS, RN, AOCNS®: Oncology and Hematology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, JHH, Baltimore, and adjunct faculty for Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing and University Of Maryland School Of Nursing. Was field reviewer for ONS publication Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs, 2nd edition, © 2011. Editor of ONS Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice (© 2009 3rd edition & 2014 4th edition).

-Michael Smart, RN, BSN, OCN®: Oncology Nurse Educator, Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, AL. Currently serves on the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation's Board of Directors, has been an Associate Editor of the Oncology Nursing Forum, and is a contributing author of the 3rd and 4th editions of the ONS publication, Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice (© 2009 & 2014).

-Carol Stein Blecher, RN, MS, AOCN®, APNC: Advanced Practice Nurse & Clinical Educator. Trinitas Comprehensive Cancer Center, Elizabeth, NJ. Long-time oncology clinical nurse specialist and educator. Has served as field reviewer for ONS publication Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs, second edition, © 2011.

About Equashield  

Equashield is a leading provider of Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTDs), clinically proven to protect healthcare professionals from hazardous drug exposure. The company's flagship device, EQUASHIELD^® II covers more routes of exposure than alternative systems by preventing the contamination of syringe plungers and preventing exposure to drug vapor. No CSTD is faster to deploy or easier to use than EQUASHIELD^® II. For more information, visit the company's website at www.equashield.com. Follow Equashield on Twitter: @equashield.

Media Contacts:
Finn Partners for Equashield
Ellie Hanson
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@EllieSheva
+1-929-222-8006

SOURCE Equashield